A Martian Christmas (NR)
common sense media says
Outer space holiday cartoon beams mixed messages.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are several images of violence that appear throughout this animated holiday movie. Some are distanced by appearing on a watched TV -- such as images of war, hockey fights, and a gun shooting -- and some are enacted by main characters, like when the father beats up a jealous rival who was threatening his son. Several scenes involving mild peril, like a spaceship crash and a mildly tense climax where a boy tries to stop a missle from blowing up Earth, might agitate younger kids. Also, some stereotyping of overweight people creeps into the story.
Educational value:
Not applicable.
Positive role models:
The central kid character disobeys his father and tricks the adult meant to look after him. The father doesn't address the kid's desire to spend time with him and tries to buy him off with promises of gifts. Ultimately the main characters make good decisions, but not all bad decisions are addressed or met with consequences.
Violence & scariness:
Brief televised scenes of a gun shooting, explosions in a war, hockey fights, planes chasing a flying saucer. Several mild to moderate fight scenes between main characters -- a boss hits the father with a file and yells at him; the father punches and beats up coworker; the kid holds Santa hostage with a pretend gun.
Sexy stuff:
Not applicable.
Language:
Characters call Santa "fat." One instance of "stupid" and "screwed up."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
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