 | 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. |
Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D
- Review Date: August 9, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Documentary
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Dangerous stunts, teasing, injuries aren't entertaining.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D is a big-screen version of MTV's Travis Pastrana and his band of crazy stuntmen doing their usual dangerous, over-the-top stuff. Expect tons of wild stunts -- mostly involving sending various vehicles up and over ramps -- as well as lots of crashes and injuries; one character survives a horrible car crash and goes to the hospital. Language is fairly strong; "f--k" is bleeped, and "s--t" is sometimes, too, but not always. The team's lone female member is seen posing for sexy pictures while wearing a revealing leather outfit. There's also heavy product placement, as several sports drinks are corporate sponsors. These guys have many young fans who will be clamoring to see this movie and, despite a warning at the beginning about not trying this stuff at home, possibly eager to try similar stunts themselves. So beware.
What's the story?
X Games motorsports competitor Travis Pastrana teams up with his old buddies, dubbed the "Nitro Circus," to perform many dangerous stunts and prepare for live show in Las Vegas. Stunts include leaping a bicycle between two 40-story buildings, trying to crash and flip a race car more than seven times, and being pulled up a ramp and into a lake by a motorcycle engine. Some stunts succeed, others fail, and many performers are injured. The movie culminates with a few minutes of footage from the Vegas show.
Is it any good?
Directed by two Nitro Circus team members, Gregg Godfrey and Jeremy Rawle, the movie starts out with opposing tones: Pastrana earnestly tries to explain the significance of his group, claiming that they aren't deterred by the impossible. Then, in the next moment, the group members are introduced, accompanied by teasing and ridicule. As the movie unspools, the group members tease one another constantly, and it's difficult for newcomers to get to know them -- or care much about them.
The stunts are mostly effective when they go wrong, coaxing feelings of empathy for pain and human suffering. But otherwise, they're not particularly thrilling. Comparisons to the Jackass series are obvious, especially when Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine make appearances. Though not brilliant, the Jackass stunts are at least outrageous and disgusting, eliciting much stronger reactions. NITRO CIRCUS: THE MOVIE is equally dumb, and much duller to boot.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about stunts. Movies like Nitro Circus highlight stunts that -- unlike those in blockbuster action films -- seem to involve neither planning nor safety. Which looks more exciting? Why? Which seem more "real" or more dangerous? Why do you think people choose to perform these kinds of stunts?
How does the impact of this kind of violence compare to that of action and horror movies? Are stunts more fun to watch if have more potential danger? Why?
Why do these kinds of performers become so famous? What message does that send to kids?
Why do the performers spend so much time teasing and ridiculing one another? Do they come across as real friends?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
August 15, 2012
AGE
Terrible
Stupidity is the theme of this movie
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Parent of 12 and 15 year old
August 20, 2012
AGE
Don't take life so serious.
Ok I read the other reviews and guess my family dynamic is a little different. Our family vacations are taken around extreme sports and my kids have seen Nitro Circus from the very beginning. I actually liked this movie better than the TV show. If your child is mature enough they understand the danger involved. Is it a good influence? No but it was funny.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 15, 2012
AGE
Peoe being idiotic
Just being stupid
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Teen, 17 years old
August 15, 2012
AGE
Wannabe Knoxville
Why somebody would do this itDont know
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Parent
August 15, 2012
AGE
Not worth your time
It might influence kids to do this stuff
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Teen, 15 years old
August 30, 2012
AGE
don't go see it
jackass for kids
go see jackass it is way better
nitro circus suck
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Teen, 17 years old
August 15, 2012
AGE
Guys being immature
People doing stupid stuff
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Kid, 9 years old
December 30, 2012
AGE
Nitro Circus
It's OK
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| Studio: | Arc Entertainment |
| Directors: | Gregg Godfrey, Jeremy Rawle |
| Cast: | Jolene Van Vugt, Tommy Passemante, Travis Pastrana |
| Genre: | Documentary |
| Run time: | 80 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 8, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | November 13, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | depiction of extreme and dangerous stunts throughout, and for language |
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