 | 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. |
Help!
- Review Date: November 21, 2007
- G
- Genre: Musical
- 1965
Common Sense Media says
Madcap, nonsensical romp with the Beatles.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is replete with playful fighting and slapstick violence, including some "don't try this at home" moments, like when George clings to the roof of a speeding car. There's more than a little bit of insensitive racial/religious stereotyping in the villains, a bunch of (mostly Anglo) actors playing robed cult fanatics from India, but just about all the characters are cartoon caricatures, including the Beatles themselves.
What's the story?
The immortal rock-pop quartet the Beatles (John, Paul, George, and Ringo) star in this full-color, wild farce. It's never explained how, but drummer Ringo is the proud owner of a sacred giant ruby. A fanatical religious cult must sacrifice any human bearing the ring, and so they pursue the Beatles for most of the movie, setting bizarre traps in the Fab Four's gimmicky high-tech mansion, and even attacking them at safe havens like Buckingham Palace. Since the uncanny ring refuses to come off Ringo's finger, the lads consult a mad scientist. What do you know? He starts chasing Ringo as well, claiming that with the ring he and his doofus assistant can rule the world.
Is it any good?
From the same director, Richard Lester as the Beatles'pitch-perfect screen debut A Hard Day's Night, this is a far less realistic comedy about a band on the run, and the practically freeform plot, full of international-intrigue and "mod" vibes, typifies the James Bond 007 spoofs ubiquitous back then, maybe with a touch of embryonic Monty Python spirit. Of course, a handful of great Beatles songs on the soundtrack don't hurt either.
The plot has scant rhyme or reason, just a disconnected barrage of madcap pursuits and ambush episodes in scenic locations, with old-fashioned, random title cards ("Paul's Exciting Adventure on the Floor") in a childish narrative kids might actually follow better than adult viewers. A lot of the British-specific landmarks and topics -- references to the "brain drain" problem, and English Channel swimmers -- will go way over American viewers' heads, though.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the appeal of the Beatles as characters, then and now. Do you think this film nails it just as well as A Hard Day's Night or other Beatles features and documentaries? Do you think Help! has stood the test of time? In its daft style-over-substance plot and imagery, does Help! seem like the ancestor of the MTV music video?
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AGE
Really Amazing!
Yes; the scenario's are considerd 'crazy' and unrealistic; it is a very enjoyable movie for any Beatles fan. The comedy kept me laughing, especially as the Beatles do random things.
Overall, very enjoyable!
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AGE
Fantastic
If you're a Beatles fan, you'll love anything Beatles. This is a really fun movie. It's just a blast of fun, and adventure, with the four mop tops from Liverpool. Amazing music, funny, and a must watch!
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AGE
Meet the Beatles
The Fab Four are in their prime, the songs terrific and catchy and the whole endeavor is quite simply fun. There isn't much to the plot, but that doesn't matter given all the other things this film has to offer.
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AGE
STOP WORYING HELP! IS ON THE WAY!
The film is good just so others know in the film there is a religion that sacrifices people and you have to wear a ring to be sacrificed and Ringo has the ring in scenes he is threatend once by a chainsaw so if you dont like scene where people are being threatend by tools such as a chainsaw then watchout for that scene.
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AGE
I love it, best movie of all time, especially if you like the Beatles.
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AGE
HELP!
GREAT MOVIE! There are some tanks, but they're meant in a funny way. Ringo wears a ring that is wanted for a ceremony, which means human sacrifice. A lot of humor and fun. Playful roughhousing.
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| Studio: | Capitol |
| Director: | Richard Lester |
| Cast: | George Harrison, John Lennon, Leo McKern, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 25, 1965 |
| DVD release date: | November 6, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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