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Thunderbirds (PG, 2004)

common sense media says

Fans of the Spy Kids series will enjoy it.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has a couple of mild swear words (and implied bad words), brief crude humor, and the use of wire from a bra to aid in an escape. There are some boy-girl references and a comment that a young girl is "blossoming." The characters are in frequent peril and there are a number of fight scenes, but it is not overly intense, there is no gunplay, and no one gets badly hurt, though someone gets kicked in the crotch. A strength of the movie is the portrayal of diverse characters as both bad and good guys, including characters with a speech impediment.

Violence & scariness: Characters in constant peril but not too intense, no shooting.
Sexy stuff: Mild boy-girl references.
Language: A couple of "damns" and a crude word.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Thunderbirds

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how kids can sometimes feel that their parents do not realize that they are ready to grow up and the importance of listening carefully. Why does Alan insult his best friend, and what does he learn from that? They may want to talk about the feeling of learning that your parents are not perfect and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of those around us -- and ourselves. What does it mean to "use your opponent's strength against him?"

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this live-action update the 1960's British television show, ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton) of International Rescue and his five sons live on a secret island in the South Pacific in a spectacular house filled with gadgets to help monitor the globe and operate their rescue equipment -- submarine, plane, rocket ship, space station, and pod vehicles. Super-geek Brains (Anthony Edwards) keeps all the technology running smoothly. Just as teenage son Alan (Brady Corbett) and his best pal Fermat (Soren Fulton) return from boarding school to the secret hideaway in the South Pacific, his father and brothers are lured away by the evil Hood (Ben Kingsley). Hood plans to use the rescue equipment to rob the world's biggest banks, bringing down the global economy and framing Jeff Tracy as the thief. The Tracy everyone thought was too young to go on missions has to work with his friends to rescue the rescuers.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Corbett makes for an attractive and appealing hero and the kids have a nice natural chemistry together. Kingsley is clearly enjoying himself as The Hood, but the highlight of the movie is the delicious Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope, who is always game to trounce the bad guys while tossing off quips and maintaining her exquisite coiffure.

The action sequences in Thunderbirds are exciting without being too scary. Kids will enjoy seeing the bad guys sprayed with Nickelodeon-style green slime and the way that Fermat uses Alan's retainer to save the day at a crucial moment. The equipment is also very cool, especially Lady Penelope's very chic pink car/plane and Alan's hovercraft. The film drags a bit when the kids are chasing the bad guys all over the island while we are impatient for them to just get on the darn plane, but overall, these Thunderbirds are GO!

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Cast: Bill Paxton, Jonathan Frakes
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 94 minutes
Theatrical release: July 30, 2004
DVD release: December 21, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: intense action sequences and language
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

bill9929
kid, 12 years old
9
 
It Was The BEST Movie but a a little bad role models but there is no killing or anything like that but a bomb hit a rocket but the guy did not die
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souzakh
educator and parent of 11 year old
 
Good Adventure
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robinpeggy
parent of 12 year old
 
nonstop fun
My five year old daughter and I really enjoyed this movie -- there were a couple of moments she found scary, but they were brief. A diverse group of heroes with good messages about friendship and courage. And basically, just a lot of fun.
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pincin
adult
 
Thunderbirds: Go!
"Thunderbirds" was THE kids show of the 1960s, and parts of this film successfully embrace the feel of that epic series. Best moments: Lex Shrapnel, excellent as the platinum-tressed, ever-marooned John Tracy, is so believably stricken after the attack on TB5 that it's truly chilling; Philip Winchester's giddy flights as Scott Tracy aboard TB1; Dominic Colenso handsomely graces the screen as the serious and steady Virgil; and, surprisingly, Anthony Edwards is great as a seriously funny, rubber-faced Brains. Kudos to Bill Paxton for bringing the compasionate Jeff Tracy to the screen so well, and also to Sophia Myles and Ron Cook, who steal the show as Lady Penelope and Parker. They are pink perfection! Forget reviews by the clueless and comparisons to other kids films and sign on with International Rescue again...or for the first time! This film is totally F.A.B. for you and especially for your children!
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PRB
adult
 
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MovieLover101
adult
 
Fans of the TV series will be disipointed......
....AND the people who never liked it in the first place!
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arrakis
adult
 
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ashleyfan
teen, 15 years old
 
It was a cool movie!!!!!!!
I loved the movie and they have a great cast encluding Vanessa Anne Hudgens from Disney Channels High School Musical
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