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Mega Beasts

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Impressive CGI offers glimpse into ancient creatures' lives.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series brings to life some notable prehistoric creatures and provides a glimpse into how they lived during their heyday. Viewers get a sense of the geological landscape of the world during the beasts’ lifetime and learn what factors contributed to their eventual demise.

  • Role models:

    The CGI animals can't really be considered role models, either positively or negatively.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Lots of scenes show CGI-replicated prehistoric beasts killing and eating their prey, and the process is often bloody -- though not overly graphic. Occasionally the comparative content also calls for live-action scenes of animals like lions taking down gazelles and other prey.

  • Sex:

    Occasional discussion of breeding practices, in some cases accompanied by illustrations of creatures mating. In one scene, for instance, a large sea beast rests atop its partner as the narrator likens its practices to those of modern reptiles.

  • Language:

    Very rare use of "hell," as in "a reptile from hell."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mega Beasts

Parents need to know that this series’ focus on ferocious prehistoric beasts means that there are lots of confrontations between the computer-generated images of the predators and their prey, whom they bite and disembody -- usually with plenty of bloody (though it's all re-created). There are also occasionally additional live-action video clips of modern animals hunting. That aside, there’s plenty of educational content in this intriguing show, and the material is relatable since it references modern regions that are rich in prehistoric evidence and current creatures that resemble extinct species. Expect a few references to and images of breeding practices, but nothing too eyebrow-raising.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about science. How do scientists uncover clues about the past? How have their discoveries helped us understand extinct species like dinosaurs? Why is this important to us now?
  • Tweens: What aspects of science interest you? How do scientists make discoveries and invent products that improve our lives? What problems would you like to see solved by science?
  • What did you learn from this show? Could you have learned the same thing from a book or magazine? What rules should the media have to follow regarding content? Does it have a responsibility to provide quality/family-friendly content?
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