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Spider-Man

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Complex, sophisticated action for older kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters are often faced with moral quandaries -- they could act to save themselves but in doing so might endanger others. Revenge is a powerful motivator for most of the heroes portrayed, including Spidey himself.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Lots of cartoon violence and weaponry, all with a fantasy element -- the guns are futuristic laser guns, the bombs mainly smoke and fire. Death is never shown and rarely mentioned, although it's implied. Characters are in constant peril.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Female characters are depicted with typical comic book-style breasts and waists; some female superheroes wear revealing outfits and pursue Spiderman in mildly suggestive ways.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    There's plenty of Spider-Man stuff you can buy (and kids will want to).

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Spider-Man

Parents need to know that this mid-'90s animated Spidey series looks more like the movies than the earlier cartoons. It's dark: Villains aren't neatly trounced at the end of each episode -- in fact, nearly every episode continues into other episodes (which can be a problem, since they're not always aired in order). The action, while "comic book" in nature, is quick and explosive (sometimes literally). Characters often find themselves in moral quandaries, and their back stories -- which often involve the deaths of beloved figures like uncles and fathers -- are both described and shown. On the other hand, the difficulties of being a superhero (loneliness, fear) are also made clear, as are the characters' dilemmas ("I could save myself, but I might endanger others").

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether this show more accurately reflects the original comic book Spider-Man than earlier series did. If so, what makes that the case? In what ways is it different from other versions of Spidey's story? Also, what messages do Spider-Man and his dilemmas send to kids? And how is Spider-Man different from other superheroes?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    mkalv
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Best Spider-Man cartoon.

    This is the best Spider-Man cartoon! Nice animation, okay theme-song, and the voice actors are mostly perfect. Recomended.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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