 | 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. |
Faeries
- Review Date: September 11, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Light humor and suspense make up for a thin plot.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film offers nothing offensive, but there's little to recommend it, either. The bland plot may be okay with the youngest kids, but others may be bored.
What's the story?
While visiting a farm in England, teenagers Nellie and George -- she a discontented teenager and he an enthusiastic younger boy -- make the acquaintance of a fairy oak in the wild wood, and are ushered into the intrigues of fairyland. There, a rivalry between the Prince and his shape-shifting brother is afoot. At first, the children become the unwitting accomplices of the evil brother, but soon they wise up to his dastardly ways, thanks to some insider information from a hobgoblin and a company of sprites. With the help of the children, the fairy Prince regains his immortality, defeats his brother (though the last we hear of him, he's plotting his escape from the ice dungeon, setting the stage for Faeries II), and marries his sweetheart, a human he has transformed into a fairy princess.
Is it any good?
Although the plot of FAERIES is anything but original -- bumbling but triumphant humans in fairyland, the rivalry between good and wicked brothers for the throne, the destiny that is true love -- it's a proven product, and many characters in this fairy tale are appealingly sharp and droll. Kids pay attention, even though the Prince himself is a disagreeable combination of braveheart and milquetoast.
The production's biggest drawback is the startlingly realistic scenery upon which animated characters float. It looks and feels fake, like a bad diorama. Fairy tales should transport, but this technique just confuses things. When the landscapes are animated, however, they're often eye-catching; spectacular flaring colors of fairyland, and the green rolling fields of the English countryside. Here, and with the bright company of fairies, the animators get to impressively stretch their legs.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the differences and similarities between this and other fairy tales they've read. Where do you think the film makers got some of their ideas?
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Kid, 12 years old
July 8, 2012
AGE
Ton Mere!
EPICNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, princesses and fairies, adventures |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Nick Hurran |
| Cast: | Dougray Scott, Jeremy Irons, Kate Winslet |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 75 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | September 26, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | General Audiences |
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