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Critical Situation

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Starring Rufus Jones, Where to watch: National Geographic Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Intense tales of survival include graphic footage.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Graphic re-enactments include close-ups of gunshot wounds, aircraft crashes, spacecraft emergencies, boating peril, interrogations, and more. Actual video footage shows criminals aiming weapons at victims and committing suicide by shooting themselves. Some bloody wounds are shown/re-created.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Criminals are occasionally shown taking drugs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Critical Situation

Parents need to know that this documentary series' graphic re-enactments of actual life-and-death scenarios are far too intense for most kids, even younger teens. Gun battles, hostage situations, and aircraft emergencies are replayed in accurate detail; in some cases, actual video footage from the incidents are used as well, showing perpetrators' violent actions and victims' terrified responses. Victims' emotional recollections of events can also be difficult to watch, so keep this one off sensitive viewers' watch list.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about violence in the media. Teens: Do you think seeing violence on TV can encourage viewers' violent behavior? Why or why not? What limits should exist on violent programming? What about video games? Should the criteria be different for media coverage or re-enactments of actual events than for dramas? How does televised violence affect our impressions of issues like gun control and police authority?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    bubby00000
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    not bad

    not bad

    This review...

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

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