Yellow Submarine

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Beatles classic with great animation, music.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although rumors suggest that songs like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" are veiled references to drugs and the animation sometimes has a psychedelic look, there is nothing that remotely approaches drug or alcohol use of any kind. The violence is extremely mild, especially by cartoon standards. The Meanies take over by "bonking" people with green apples.


What's the story?

All is peace, love, and music in gentle Pepperland until the wicked Blue Meanies take over. The Beatles come to the rescue via the title vessel, meeting all kinds of strange and interesting characters along the way.


Is it any good?

 

YELLOW SUBMARINE is a pleasure for the eye, ear, and heart, featuring spectacular animation, gorgeous music (including the title song, "When I'm 64," "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "All Together Now" and the lovely "Sea of Time," written by longtime Beatle collaborator George Martin), witty wordplay (lots of puns and some sly political satire), and a sweet story with a nonviolent happy ending.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the different ways to interpret this movie -- do you think there are hidden messages? Why do you think the Beatles wanted to make this movie?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Honored To Have My Kids Watch
What a treat! I have a 6 & 8 year old running around my house singing "All you need is LOVE". I grew up watching this with my Dad...and now the next generation is enjoying it. SpongeBob is more worrisome and disturbing. No drug or drinking referances that any kid below the age of 30 would get..LOL.... Let you child enjoy the annimation and music...Thank you Beatles...We love you.... "

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Teen, 14 years old
September 19, 2010
 
A classic for kids and adults too!!!! a very fun film
This is a classic. I liked it. It was fun. The music was good. It had great animation. It was good. I highly recomedded!!!!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Unexpected kid favorite!
Who knew this rather bizarre, Peter-Max inspired cartoon would grab the attention of my 4-year-old?!? I was delighted when he took an interest in this movie, which is great fun for grown-ups, too. There are a couple scenes that bothered him that we fast-forwarded thru - one where a Frankenstein-type fellow morphs into John, and another where a lady is screaming. But no real peril or danger here, Mates.

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Adult
June 2, 2010
 
Who doesn't love The Beatles? This classic will resonate with children and adults alike! No marketing, no cursing, no sexual reference, perfect for children!

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Teen, 18 years old
June 5, 2011
 
Trippiest Movie Ever
I love this movie! I have a Yellow Submarine tin lunchbox which I bring to school every day and a really cool Yellow Submarine mug. This movie has a lot of clever wordplay and wit. For example, this is one of my favorite lines: "Don't pull that lever!" "I can't help it, I'm a born lever puller." Get it, because "lever puller" sounds like "Liverpooler?" Some of the visuals in this movie are dizzying. I had to look away from the screen while I watched some scenes because they made me naucious. But this is one of my favorite animated movies of all time. Definitely recommended.

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Kid, 13 years old
June 20, 2011
 
amazing
Yellow Submarine is a wonderful classic film! There is absolutely nothing bad about it! 100% recommended.

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Teen, 16 years old
February 23, 2011
 
I saw this movie back in 2001 with my dad when I was in preschool!
When I was in preschool I saw this movie with my dad and I liked it, and actually I kinda disagree with the kid reviewer below me it isn't that violent and scary because my dad was with me when I watched it and when the villain (The blue meanie) came out my dad hold my hand. I would recommend this movie to kids who are 5 over because it has no gore, bad messages, bad words, drama, drugs, sex and other kinda of adult stuff that children should not be hearing and seeing.

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Educator and Parent of 11 year old
January 10, 2010
 
This song is not bad
Lucy in the Sky is not about drugs, it's about McCartney's love interest, who died 2008.

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Kid, 12 years old
August 5, 2009
 
Makes me Happy :)
I like this movie because of the songs, the animation, and it is a funny story. You must see it if you like movies about the Beatles!

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Teen, 17 years old
January 11, 2009
 
funny movie
it was a really cute movie, and fun for any age group. there were lots of clever references to beatles songs, and they playede alot of the great classics.

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Topics:music and sing-along
Studio:MGM/UA
Director:George Dunning
Cast:John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:90 minutes
Theatrical release date:November 13, 1968
DVD release date:September 14, 1999
MPAA rating:G

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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