 | 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. |
Moonrise Kingdom
- Review Date: May 25, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Typically quirky Wes Anderson dramedy has lots of heart.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Moonrise Kingdom -- a 1960s-set dramedy about two misfit tweens who run away with each other -- is, like most of director Wes Anderson's other films, atmospheric and loopy and moving: a mix that might confound younger audiences, even though the movie is about kids. Plus, the stories of their home lives are actually quite sad (one is an orphan; the other feels alone and misunderstood by her family). The young characters kiss each other, feel each other up, and are shown in their underwear. Swearing is pretty minimal ("hell," etc.), but there's some period-accurate smoking, and one 12-year-old character is served beer by an adult.
What's the story?
From the moment they set eyes on each other -- during a 1964 church pageant where she was dressed as a raven on Noah's ark and he was in a furry hat and khaki scout uniform -- Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman) knew they were made for each other. Suzy's parents think she's a "troubled" child; Sam lives in a foster home with "parents" who barely foster him. But in each other, they find a soulmate -- or at least a best friend -- and Suzy asks Sam to write to her. A year later, they decide to run away together to a special cove they christen Moonrise Kingdom, setting off a search party that includes Suzy's unhappily married parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), the lonely police chief (Bruce Willis), and a hapless, earnest khaki scout leader (Edward Norton).
Is it any good?
MOONRISE KINGDOM is precious. It's also almost stiflingly stylized, an elliptical concoction with odd characters and peculiar storylines and overly, specifically gorgeous set design that strains the senses. But it still shines like a well-cut gem, with delicate layers and exquisite characters that live in a world you've never seen before but don't mind visiting and a plot that sneaks up on you with quiet heartbreak.
The two young leads, Hayward and Gilman, are keepers; they're so unaffected that they're effective -- they seem like real people asking hard questions and struggling to connect and be grounded in a world in which adults are moorless. They're each other's match in the funky ark meant to survive this rain-soaked world experiencing its own flood. Anderson is an auteur. To see his films is to give yourself over to his singular, sometimes claustrophobic vision. But with Moonrise Kingdom, surrendering to Andersonland is a pleasure. Don't think about it too much; allow yourself to be engulfed.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what Moonrise Kingdom is saying about the adults in these children's lives. Why do they seem so hapless? Are any of them role models?
Are Wes Anderson's movies funny, sad, or both. Why? How is his style of comedy different from other filmmakers'? How is this movie similar to and different from his other films?
Why are Sam and Suzy drawn to each other? What do they offer each other? Do they seem like real 12-year-olds?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
June 18, 2012
AGE
Moonrise Kingdom: 5 Stars!
I LOVED this movie. Wes Anderson created a honest and whimsical storyline of two misunderstood 12 year olds who run away together in the '60s. Although the kids do feel each other up and talk about an implied erection, it's still quite tame. The main characters are so unique and funny, even though they are a bit crazy and dangerous. I think most people could relate to their feelings of being upset and misunderstood, at any age. The movie encourages being yourself and not conforming to what others want you to do. The only things that might scare kids a little bit is that one kid is stabbed with a pair of scissors and a dog is killed accidentally. I saw Moonrise Kingdom with my family and my parents loved it. Would you rather take your kids to a bad animated comedy or a quirky, true, and touching story of love, family, and courage? It's an easy decision for me.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 10, 2012
AGE
GREAT!
This film is a must see. Yes, some parts were awkward, but it was a very thoughtful film. Omg the troops ( u will understand what I mean after you watch the movie) were so funny! I can't think of a dull moment in this movie. WATCH IIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 2, 2012
AGE
Moonrise Kingdom
I loved this movie there really is only one sexual scene and even that was not bad. I think this is a great movie i would definitely recommend it!
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Parent
July 2, 2012
AGE
Good intro to 'first love' and sophisticated humor for tweens and up
For mature 12 year olds and up. Hysterically funny. Very mild underwear scene. First love is between two highly intelligent misfits who have no other friends. One scene to discuss in advance - a dog is accidentally killed in a Monty Python-esque scene which feels a little strange to laugh at. Our mature 12 year old daughter laughed all the way through, as did the entire theater audience. Not slapstick - just pure sophisticated humor that is a little off of center, but in no way offensive.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 2, 2012
AGE
Fantastic But a little mature for Tweens
I love this movie. However, as a tween boy, I think a lot of boys my age would get bored and be very immature about a certain scene were the two leads had a slightly odd sexual situation. Other than that a dog is violently killed and a girl stabs a boy (he lives.) Plus there is a brief scene were a boy drinks beer and smokes a pipe. However, VERY funny movie for Mature Tweens, Teens and Adults.
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Teen, 14 years old
June 21, 2012
AGE
Moonrise Kingdom Review
This was the best movie I have seen this year. So brilliant. It's such a sweet and quirky story. All that I have put for what families should know is very mild. In one seen a boy gets hurt with scissors (it does not show). In another scene Sam and Suzy are dancing and Sam begins to feel Suzy's breasts, because it is an adult theme that kids are doing it might be flagged as inappropriate. Still it was an incredible film.
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Teen, 16 years old
July 4, 2012
AGE
Moonrise Kingdom
So far movies in 2012 This is the BEST MOVIE OF 2012
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Teen, 16 years old
July 7, 2012
AGE
Quirky, fun and even beautiful
Just some adjectives to describe Anderson's latest masterpiece! Somehow he captures the spirit of youthful summers in a period of a little over 90 minutes. I don't know how he does it, but I really hope he doesn't stop! See this little gem before you hear all about it at the Oscars this year!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 22, 2012
AGE
Moonrise Kingdom
This was a fine movie. This is my first Wes Anderson film, and I am pleased. The humor was silly, but still funny. The main female lead is mentioned to be violent, she even stabs a boy with scissors. A dog is shot with an arrow and killed, and a boy is struck by lightning. The plot is about two 12 year olds who run away in love. There was a sensuality scene between the two, including some innuendo. Some mild language was used. The male 12 year old smokes a pipe and is served beer. Overall this was a great movie, just not the best pick for kids.
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Parent of 14 year old
July 24, 2012
AGE
Wonderful summer experience!
My 14 yr old son & I had had a long week & wanted to just go "zone" at the movies. I wasn't in the mood for any action movies & we saw this title, not knowing anything about it except the story write up on the theater website.
From the first scene to the last, this was a delightful movie. It was so fantastic (in the true definition of the word) & so subtle & so light & so deep & funny & serious & strange & beautiful etc... all at the same time... What an experience! Every character was created as someone you "knew" or "know" or someone with a characteristic you could identify with.
The whole audience in our particular theater was laughing & engaging with the movie & my son was the only teen there! Re: him being a teen, it was slightly awkward for him (being with mom I imagine) in one seen that cannot be described as a sex seen but where they are both in their (1960's style ;-P) underwear dancing together etc... it's brief & later revealed that "nothing" happened.
The sound track was very interesting & a few times, very beautiful. All music fit very well with the story & settings. Oh the settings & scenery!!!
As I write this I realize it's going to be impossible to describe this movie so all I will say to close is this... If you feel you have any sense of imagination, any enjoyment of the fantastic, any curiosity when you read the synopsis or see the trailer... see this movie :-) Totally worth movie theater money!
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| Topics: | friendship, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Focus Features |
| Director: | Wes Anderson |
| Cast: | Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 25, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | October 16, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content and smoking |
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