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Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space

(Rated TV-PG, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Reese Witherspoon, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Where to watch: NBC)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Tame Halloween special doesn't live up to original movie.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Kids may learn why it's important not to eat too much candy after seeing what happens to the gorging pumpkins...

  • Messages:

    The monster team must work together to save humans from the mutant pumpkins. But there's also some mild potty humor: In one scene, a spacecraft dumps what’s implied to be alien urine on a patch of pumpkins, turning them into the mutant creatures.

  • Role models:

    The monsters rely on violence to eliminate the invasive pumpkins, but their goal is always humans' safety. As in the movie, Susan is a strong female character.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Animated pumpkins explode after gorging themselves on Halloween candy. The only weapon resembles a machine gun -- but is used only to feed the pumpkins the candy that will destroy them. Some of the pumpkins look pretty creepy, which could be scary for very young kids.

  • Sexy stuff:

    One brief mention of “making out.”

  • Language:

    One use of “stupid.” 

  • Consumerism:

    No outright product pushing, but plenty of tie-in merchandise available. 

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space

Parents need to know that this Halloween special is far less intense than the Monsters vs. Aliens movie. Violence is limited to the self-imposed implosion of mutant pumpkins from eating too much candy, and the only weapon in use is a machine gun that’s used to feed the “ammo” to them. Apart from a lone instance of mild language (“stupid") and some brief potty humor (it’s implied that aliens dump their urine on the pumpkins), there are no worries for most kids, though very young ones might be frightened by the somewht creepy-looking animated jack-o-lanterns.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why kids wanted to see this special -- was it because it was connected to the movie or because it looked good on its own? Did it live up to your expectations?
  • Kids: What other movie-related specials/sequels have you seen? Have you ever liked a sequel or follow-up special better than the original? Which movies do you wish had a sequel that don’t?
  • How does violence affect a show or movie? Does seeing violence in the media bother you? Which shows have you seen that have a lot of fighting? Does the realistic nature of the violence affect its impact on viewers?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    briannefair
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    2 year old scared!

    My 2 year old son is a complete boy-boy, but for some reason this scares the daylights outta him! We have it on DVR and while he normally loves action in shows and movies he will freak out before it gets past the opening scene.

    This review...

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

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