Smallville - TV-PG

The making of a superman -- teens OK.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: ABC Family, CW Cast: Kristin Kreuk, Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum Genre: Drama
Available on: DVDDownload

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the series is frequently bloody and violent. While the program deals with a wide range of topics and good eventually overcomes evil, gory fight scenes and evil villains might frighten younger children. As the characters have aged, sex and drama have been introduced to spice up ratings and storylines.

Families can talk about teen sex on TV using Lana and Clark's decision to have sex as an example. What do kids think of their actions? Was it right for them to take things further despite the fact that they weren't in a consistent long-term relationship? Do kids think the drama of relationships gets in the way of the superhero themes?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Betsy Wallace and Caroline Gates-Shannon

SMALLVILLE takes on the teen years of Superman and revives the superhero genre in an intelligent, if often mature, action series.

Eighteen years ago, a meteor shower rained down on Smallville, Kansas, dropping off little Clark Kent (Tom Welling) in a space ship and leaving the small town and its inhabitants forever altered. Clark saved Lex Luthor's (Michael Rosenbaum) life back then, and they became friends, unaware of the arch rivals they would one day become -- in accordance with the Superman legend.

One of the best aspects of the series, and the most fun for young viewers, is watching the young Clark slowly come into his powers; he's super fast, can see through walls, and has acquired super hearing. In many episodes, Clark uses his powers to battle "meteor freaks" -- Smallville inhabitants who turned weird or monstrous due to the lingering effects of the meteor shower. In these episodes the show resembles The X-Files more than the story of Superman.

The series has followed the characters, including pretty Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), through high school and into college. During these young adult years, Clark discovers details about his own history, as well as the fates of his home planet and biological parents. Lex, once Clark's best friend, gives into the dark side. Both characters further their journey toward fully realizing the DC Comic characters they were modeled after. And Lana and Clark struggle to keep their relationship alive in the big city of Metropolis.

On the whole, Smallville, emphasizes the values of family and friendship. But it's pretty violent by early primetime standards. And unlike the Superman movies and previous television series, its tone is serious rather than playful.

Kids interested in the making of superheroes might also like Spider-Man and Batman.

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some making out, occasional nudity implied (in one episode a murder victim -- a teenage girl -- waited for her date in the shower).
Violence Frequent action violence with fists, guns, and kryptonite all serving as weapons. Characters face life-threatening situations. Some shooting deaths with blood.
Language Occasional mild expletives ("hell," "damn," "bastard," etc.).
Message
	Social Behavior One African-American main character. Female main characters are strong and intelligent. Clark would do almost anything to help his friends and family, but "Evil Clark" (blame the red kryptonite) isn't as nice.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco High school parties have included alcohol, and Lex Luthor drinks scotch. Clark's use of red kryptonite, which controlls him and alters his behavior, was akin to a drug addiction.