 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
- Review Date: January 25, 2009
- NR
- Genre: Musical
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Fun musical adventure includes some innuendo and a death.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this short movie is fun and quirky, but includes some sexual innuendo and a suprising death. The movie reverses the standard "hero" model, by focusing on Dr. Horrible, an evil villain bent on world domination who is hoping to win admission to the Evil League of Evil. Though his plans include stealing rare materials for his secret weapon, and attempting to kill his nemesis, the valiant Captain Hammer, inside Dr. Horrible is also a sweet, shy romantic, who has fallen in love with Penny, a girl he met at the laundromat. Captain Hammer, conversely, is a vain egomaniac who uses his hero status to get women into bed. There's some cartoonish violence and mild swearing ("ass"), as well as references to sex and one character's penis.
What's the story?
Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris) is an evil villain straight from central casting – mad-scientist laugh: check. Plans for world domination: check. Outlandish weaponry, distinctive costume, and a super-powered nemesis: check, check, and check. And now he's planning one of his biggest heists ever, hoping to impress his fellow bad guys and earn a spot in the Evil League of Evil. Yet he also shows a distinctly non-villainous side, a shy, awkward young man too nervous to ask out Penny, the cute girl he meets at the laundromat. Unfortunately, when Penny (Felicia Day) finds herself in peril, it's Dr. Horrible's arch-enemy, the valiant Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion), who saves the day and wins a date with the girl. Can the evil Dr. Horrible find a way to win her over from a true hero?
Is it any good?
DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG plays with convention, by making a villain into the star of the show. Yes, he's cooking up a dastardly scheme, and we even see him pulling off a heist. But his evil deeds pale in comparison to the smarmy Captain Hammer. The hero is the real villain here, a smug, conceited cad who uses his hero-status to charm the ladies. While Dr. Horrible really loves Penny, Captain Hammer just wants to get her into bed, and it's up to the bad-guy to prove that he can sing about being her hero.
Yes, sing. Because not only is this a brilliant send-up of the standard superhero format, it's also a musical. Sure, it might sound like a strange idea, but then, so does the whole concept. On paper, it may be hard to see how all of this comes together. But on the screen, it fits together perfectly. It's a great idea, executed perfectly, and wildly entertaining.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the standard hero storyline. Is Dr. Horrible a hero or a villain? How does he differ from traditional heroes? Does Captain Hammer seem like a hero? Is there more to being a hero than fighting crime? How does this film tweak convention? Do you think it's OK to make a criminal into the good guy? Who do you like more, Dr. Horrible or Captain Hammer?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
really good
captain hammer says "the hammer is my penis" and "I might get to sleep with the same girl twice they say it's better the second time they say you get to do the weird stuff" but thats pretty much it great songs
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AGE
funny plotline+ amazing music - major problems= awesome movie!
Me and my daughter both love this movie! It has positive messages, great music, and no problems that I would notice in any other film. I showed it to my sister-in-law's family, who is very Christian, and they loved it too! I recommend this movie to all of my friends
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AGE
Fun songs but scary death
(Spoiler alert) The older kids loooved it, have all the songs on their ipods. Penny's death was really shocking and scary for my 6 year old however. But it was zany fun that the older audience can enjoy.
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Kid, 3 years old
October 10, 2009
AGE
You have a good site *commonsensemedia.org all very tastefully done!
You have a good site all very tastefully done! I really liked.
Sincerely Ritt.
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Kid, 3 years old
June 5, 2009
AGE
i have found what i was looking for !!!
I have found what i was looking for !!! thx )
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AGE
Excellent, Hilarious, and Fun
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a superb musical done in three fifteen minute installments. The story is sweet, funny, and faintly macabre. Violence is mostly mild but there is a death (not bloody, mostly sad). There are some references to sex (a man refers uses the word "hammer" to describe a body part) A little awkward flirting as well. Excellent for tweens and up.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 31, 2011
AGE
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love this movie but only thing is the sexual innuendo. Other than that its an aMaZiNg MoViE!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this! Neil Patrick Harris was the best! But I really don't think that this is for 10+ b/c of the sexual references.
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AGE
A new favorite!
I only discovered this recently, but I love it to pieces! It's hilarious... except for the ending. I won't spoil anything, but it is a MAJOR mood whiplash. Dr. H is a great character, and as much as i want to smack him, I must admit that Captain Hammer is pretty entertaining too. My favorite parts:
Dr. H: Wow! Sarcasm! That's original!
Captain H: *holds up fists* THESE aren't the hammers.
*he leaves, but immediately comes back*
Captain H: The hammer is my penis.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | INC. |
| Director: | Joss Whedon |
| Cast: | Felicia Day, Nathan Fillion, Neil Patrick Harris |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 43 minutes |
| DVD release date: | December 19, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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