 | 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. |
Jack
- Review Date: September 11, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
Ten-year-old boy in 40-year-old body is a winner.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is appropriate for adolescents and would be suitable for younger children were it not for several scenes involving nudity and profanity. The movie opens with a costume party, with bizarrely outfitted characters, including a woman appearing to sport four breasts. While it may be natural for 10-year-old boys to be interested in nude women, the film makes light of Jack's purchasing Penthouse magazine for his friends. Both kids and adults use phrases such as "Your mouth smells exactly like your butt," and "Bet you could crack walnuts on her ass, too." One of the boys' mothers, played by Fran Drescher, also comes on to men inappropriately.
What's the story?
Born very prematurely, Jack (Robin Williams) suffers from a rare disease in which his body ages at four times the normal rate of development. At age 10, his appearance is that of a 40-year-old man. His parents keep him at home but finally agree to enroll him in school, where Jack initially is the butt of many cruel jokes. That soon changes once his peers note Jack's ability on the basketball court and his ability to purchase adult magazines. Ever the child in his light-up sneakers, Jack joins several boys in youthful antics. He also poses as a school principal to keep his best friend from getting in trouble. But the aging process soon catches up with Jack, and his parents pull him out of school out of fear for his health. A heartfelt talk with his esteemed tutor, Mr. Woodruff (Bill Cosby), convinces Jack to make the most of the time he has on this earth. The wise man deftly compares Jack to a "shooting star" -- fleeting yet beautiful in nature.
Is it any good?
Despite the distractions of inappropriate sexual behavior and profanity, JACK is essentially a family film with a moral message. Middle-school and high-school aged children will enjoy the many humorous scenes. Adults, too, will appreciate the message that a person does not have to lose one's child-like spark just because of the irreversible aging process.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message the film attempts to deliver -- that one should make the most of the time one has on this earth and not to judge a person based on his age or initial appearance. These values can certainly serve as a springboard for a discussion about treating other people with respect and living for the present.
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AGE
Silly movie but it moved me
There's a strong comparison between "Jack" and "Big," "Big" certainly being the better of the two, but "Jack" pulled my heart strings. Great movie in my opinion.
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AGE
Jack
Super funny and moving at the same time. Robin WIlliams was perfect for his role and played it amazingly.
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SAD, VILONT, GROSSSS, ?*10?, nd totally LOL. Ow and there's MORE! OMG!
this movie was LOL! but the tree house farting scene i was just like "OMG! That is so gross!" And then when Jack feel down the stares screaming something hurt i was just like "?*10!" There are some parts in the movie where it gets to be a little vilont, sexy, and sad. But the ending is so HAPPY. so would give this like 5 stars. But still farting is GROSS! L8ER!
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Cast: | Bill Cosby, Diane Lane, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 113 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 12, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | January 1, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | profanity and sexual situations |
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