 | 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 Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D
- Review Date: September 18, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Kids will love the 3-D aspect of this movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the line between fantasy and reality is often blurred here, so kids under 7 may be confused about what's imaginary and what isn't. There's some potty and gross-out humor involving 3-D vomiting and passing gas, and some mild action violence that's very cartoonish. One of the young characters was separated from his father. Another character appears to die, but turns out to be fine. Some of the creepy creatures (such as the Plug Hounds and the sharks) may frighten younger kids. Max is bullied by his classmates. Sensitive kids may be upset when Max's parents argue and appear to be on the brink of divorce.
What's the story?
Shy 10-year-old Max (Cayden Boyd) loses himself in an elaborate fantasy world to escape the classmates who bully him and the constant bickering of his parents (David Arquette and Kristin Davis). Max's fourth grade teacher, Mr. Electricidad (George Lopez) encourages Max to keep recording his dreams, but Max makes the mistake of sharing the adventures of Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner) and Lavagirl (Taylor Dooley) with his class -- and of course no one believes that Max is friends with a boy who was raised by sharks and a girl with supernatural powers who emits red-hot rocks. But then Sharkboy and Lavagirl show up at school one stormy day and plead with Max to come with them to the three-dimensional Planet Drool -- Max's imagination and dreams are the only thing that can save their planet. Max heads to a paradise filled with roller coasters, cool gadgets like a fudge-spewing motorbike, and the delicious Land of Milk and Cookies to help his friends defeat the nefarious Mr. Electric and keep his dreams alive.
Is it any good?
THE ADVENTURES OF SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL IN 3-D may not be Oscar-worthy, but it will definitely please its target audience of elementary-school kids. The novelty of using 3-D glasses alone will make it irresistible; many of today's children have never had the opportunity to see action literally jump out of the screen at them, and they'll be amazed by the eye-pooping experience. They'll also get a kick out of the story, which was "based on the intergalactic journeys and superhero stories created by director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids)'s 7-year-old son Racer Max."
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D borrows heavily from The Wizard of Oz -- from the tornado that sets the action into motion to the appearance of familiar faces in the alternate world (Max's teacher, the class bully, and the object of Max's affection all have important roles in Planet Drool), many parts of the movie feel a little too familiar. But there are enough cool special effects and gadgets to captivate kids, and enough clever references to amuse parents (the kids take The Train Of Thought, float through The Stream of Consciousness, and experience a Brain Storm -- with brains raining from above due to an excess of creativity). The message about following your dreams becomes heavy-handed at times, but kids will be too busy taking in the 3-D images and losing themselves in a vibrant fantasy playground to notice.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the fact that this movie was based on the dreams and fantasies of the director's 7-year-old son -- which of your dreams is worthy of a movie? They could also talk about the importance of imagination and turning dreams into reality. Some kids may be inspired to start keep their own dream journal, just like Max.
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Parent of 6 and 8 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Not for Kindergarteners!
My 5 1/2 year old daughter cannot go to sleep after seeing about 1/2 of this movie today--WAY too scary for her!!!
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AGE
Great movie for kids 4 and up
The main aspect of the movie to me is the simple humor of it all, and any negative reviewer is nuts. This movie was realesed when I was 4 (2005), and Mercurybabe, you are NUTS! DEAD NUTS!
What other families should know:
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AGE
Great movie for kids 4 and up
The main aspect of the movie to me is the simple humor of it all, and any negative reviewer is nuts. This movie was realesed when I was 4 (2005), and Mercurybabe, you are NUTS! DEAD NUTS!
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
October 3, 2010
AGE
this film was terrible
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
horible!!!!!! stupid!!!!!
*bad acting* *cheesy plot* *stupid effects* *BORING*~~~!!! i saw it @ drive in & turned around & watched the longest yard w/ my dad
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Kid, 9 years old
September 15, 2011
AGE
Great Family Movie!
I've loved this movie since it came out! When I was like, five, I would where this shark fin on my back and say "Look Daddy! I'm Sharkboy!" And I'd run around the house. It's a great family movie, even without the 3-D, but the 3-D DVD is SOOOO much better then without 3-D. It makes it feel like you're really traviling with Sharkboy, Max, and Lavagirl everywhere they go in the movie!
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Adult
June 1, 2010
AGE
Children will love seeing this movie! It's not for any serious film fan, as it's rather shoddily made. But the colorful scenes and characters will interest young viewers. The violence might be too much for the youngest children. Personally I enjoyed the scene with the ice cream as it was always a dream of mine to live in a world of food.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
December 11, 2009
AGE
silly
this movie is absolutly silly. And silly as in what where they thinking?? Sharkboy and lava girl is a terrible movie!!!!!!!! i recomend it to mainly boys ages 5-8.
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Parent of 17 year old
September 28, 2009
AGE
bad
a bad movie! well for big kids anyway 4-9 and maybe 10 year olds will love it though i know i used too.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 3, 2010
AGE
A great film for younger kids
I loved this film when I was younger. I think younger kids will like it, but older kids won't.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, space and aliens |
| Studio: | Dimension |
| Director: | Robert Rodriguez |
| Cast: | David Arquette, George Lopez, Taylor Lautner |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 10, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | September 20, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild action and some rude humor. |
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