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Serenity

(2005, Rated PG-13, Action/adventure, Starring Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Alan Tudyk)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    A bit clunky, but entertaining sci-fi.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The Alliance representatives use violent means to get their way; the Reavers are ferocious killers who eat human flesh.
  • Violence:

    Action violence, including explosions, shoot-outs, chases, and sylized, wireworky and time-zappy martial arts.
  • Sex:

    Some sexual references; some women wear midriff- and cleave-baring outfits.
  • Language:

    Mild cursing (one s-word).
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and smoking in a bar.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Serenity

Parents need to know that the movie includes some rambunctious action, drawn from both Western and science-fiction conventions. They fight with their fists, guns, and other implements; they also engage in chase scenes on speedy hovering vehicles. Space battles -- between space ships -- result in some raucous explosion and shoot-out scenes. Some aggressive, martial-artsy fighting. Characters drink and smoke in a bar. One couple kisses and looks to be headed to off-screen sex; one character has designed a robot to service him (the implication is that she's a sexual companion). A woman crewmember sees her husband killed, suddenly and brutally.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the various loyalties revealed in various pairings and groups of characters: brother and sister, romantic couples, devotion to causes and communities as ideals. How does River's wrestling with her training and instinct as a "weapon" serve as counterpoint for the Operator, who sees himself as a "monster" but also believes in his mission to commit murder and mayhem, as a means to eventual peace?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    The idea revealed at the end (don't want to spoil things by being too precise here) is deeply terrifying and the stuff of nightmares for adults, let alone kids.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Excellent Sci-Fi Western has some very Violent Moments

    This is a very, VERY good film; one of the best sci-fi films I've ever seen. Parents: Careful when letting your kid watch this film; it has lots of action which will appeal to them but it has a lot of scary moments due to the Reapers (and a concept related to the Reapers which I won't spoil) and Summer, a deranged little girl (reminds me of the Ring). But, if you can stand some intense sequences of violence and pervasive disturbing images, then you should be okay and will probably really like this film.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0

    Enjoyable Space Adventure

    This is very enjoyable sci-fi, action movie. I would recommend this movie to any star wars fan, or anyone who like those space movies with lasers, flying in space, and explosions. There is a couple of swear words, (1 f**k, maybe 1 or 2 s**t and maybe 2 d**n) There is 2 scenes of kissing and one leads to an off-screen sex.There are many space lasers, gun and fist fights and some zombie cannibals. There are some sudden deaths of major characters, and one short scene of torture on a young girl. Overall, I'd suggest this for 12 year olds, but some 11 year olds would be okay.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Scary

    I'm 18, but it was a little too scary in parts. I was glad to have someone safe to watch it with, or I would have been hysterical by the time the Reavers actually showed up. Not a movie for young kids. I wouldn't show it to anyone under 15-16. A little darker than the TV series, but still exceptionally well-written and better morally than anything else out there. I don't know how it got iffy social standards, considering the main characters you're rooting for are showing good morals.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    The best, most overlooked film in a long time

    I suppose this review is a bit biased, seeing as I'm a fan of the TV show (Firefly) on which "Serenity" is based. But this is a witty and imaginative movie, and the casting (which is the same as the TV show) is fantastic. I wouldn't let a younger kid see it, it's about right for people around 13-14, although there's much less sexual content and swearing than in a lot of other movies that have been rated PG-13. This could have gotten away with a PG had the show been more popular (and had Fox not cancelled it). A very good movie that is definitely out of its element, considering what Hollywood has released in the past few years.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Everyone loves River-fu!

    This is my new favourite movie. twaz awesome beyond belief. i havent seen firefly (teh series) yet. i plan to, though. it had everything one would want in a movie and, more importantly, it was not at all cliche or predictable. P.S. to bubbo: you are obviously norrow-minded and uninteresting. serenity is not laughable nor cheezy. go stuff yourself. also, i can kill you with my brain.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Genius

    You will watch Serenity on the edge of your seat. The dialogue is snappy and when it's funny, it's very funny. The characters are layered and fascinating. This movie is about loyalty, the difficulty of doing the right thing, and making the best of what you have. Every family should have a copy. However, because of the intensity of many scenes and disturbing imagery, I would not recommend that any child 10 or under sees this. June 23rd is Serenity Day, when fans of Firefly and Serenity will go out and purchase the movie to show Universal there is support for a sequel. p.s. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the "Operative," not the "Operator."

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    Laughable

    Kind of cheesy and confusing. Not particularly enjoyable.

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Great for Firefly fans!

    Hubby and I were really looking forward to this movie and we weren't disappointed. Our kids are too young to watch (11 and under,) but good action and good moral point to the story-that everyone needs to believe in something. A few unexpected story surprises but a great movie.

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Excellent Story from TV series everything answered

    The whole family went! Children from 13, 16 & 20, plus Mom & Dad. Great entertainment for this age group. Sexual sitations are vague. Violence is the primary concern involving social behaviors, drug modifications, eventually leading to cannibalism.

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