 | 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. |
The Kid
- Review Date: May 2, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Very funny and genuinely insightful family movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some rude and PG-rated language, a school-yard scuffle, a sad off-screen death, and a parent-child confrontation that may be upsetting.
What's the story?
Russ Duritz (Bruce Willis), an "image consultant" who spends his time diverting public relations disasters, making everyone around him miserable, and being miserable himself. Duritz hides from his hurt and loneliness by working all the time, being thoughtless and insensitive to everyone he meets, and forgetting his feelings and that he ever had them. But he can't escape his feelings. Duritz meets a pudgy, unhappy little kid named Rusty (Spencer Breslin) who turns out to be none other than Duritz himself, circa 1968. At first, Duritz is embarrassed by his younger self. He says, "I look at him and all I see is awful memories -- memories I've been spending most of my life trying to forget." He decides that Rusty can't go back until he helps him. But he learns that Rusty is there to help him, too. Duritz has spent his entire professional life making over other people, with his first subject himself. But he needs to remember who he really is inside that image. Why does he have a problem with dry eyes? Why does he get so angry when people cry? What is it about his past that "doesn't want to stay in the past?"
Is it any good?
Bruce Willis has great talent as an actor and enough charm to keep him on the A-list despite a few clunkers, but he is simply the best there is when he plays opposite a child actor. There's a reason for the legendary advice to stay away from kids and animals on stage, because they draw all the attention away from even the most accomplished adult performer. Some actors who appear with kids can't resist showing off or trying to out-adorable them. But Willis treats his kid co-stars as though they are the only two people in the world. He is not afraid to let the child actors get the attention. The result is two terrific performances at the heart of a surprisingly funny and endearing movie.
THE KID is a Disney movie, and it has an old-fashioned Disney ending. Only the hardest hearts will refuse to be warmed. It is also very funny and genuinely insightful.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the importance of understanding your past. Kids who see the movie will want to know whether their parents are neglecting their childhood dreams, and they may want to talk about what they can do now to stay in touch with what is important to them and to feel happy with themselves when they grow up. They should discuss what makes people mean. As this movie shows, it is often because they are insecure and in pain. Some kids who have experienced or observed bullies at school may want to talk about why kids behave that way and how to respond to them. Older kids may also want to talk about the difference between "spin" and accountability and the way that image consultants change the way that people feel about celebrities.
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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A New Look Every Time I Watch It...
This is one of those movies where when you say I'm just going to sit down and see the begining of it, you CANT. After watching it 5 times I really came to my senses and decided to write a review. First of all I must say that nobody could have fit Bruce's role better than himself. To act a character who undergoes a drastic change is hard, but well done by Bruce. This movie is mainly about family and bonds, and the importance of who we are (or were) having an effect on the person that we will always grow up to be, whether at the moment you are 8, 38, 50 or 90... we allways will be living 'the Kid' inside of us.
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Adult
May 12, 2010
AGE
this is a good family movie to watch but disney's the kid has a little bit of violence like in one scene two kids start fighting and Bruce Willis takes strong medication as a drug to calm his anger down.
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Very cute family film
A very funny, enjoyable comedy with a touch of drama to make you think. Clean and cute, may be a little slow for the small kids.
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Teen, 13 years old
February 6, 2012
AGE
Great movie
Great for the whole family. Very funny. You and your family will enjoy it.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Jon Turteltaub |
| Cast: | Bruce Willis, Emily Mortimer, Spencer Breslin |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 7, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | January 23, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | boxing action and mild thematic elements |
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