 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Terra Nova
- Fox
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Big-budget supernatural thriller with family at its heart.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sci-fi drama drives home positive messages about the importance of family and working together, with a focus on both teen and adult characters. That said, there's regular violence (including shootings and bloody dinosaur attacks) that's likely too intense for younger viewers. You'll also hear low-level cursing -- from "damn" to "son of a bitch" -- and see a little light romance. There usually isn't much in terms of drinking, but in one episode, teens make moonshine and drink it, only to learn a valuable lesson.
What's the story?
In the year 2149, a family of five (Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, and Alana Mansour) moves mountains to stick together when they're selected to travel to TERRA NOVA, an experimental community that's being built 85 million years in the past. But living in prehistoric times presents a brand-new set of problems, from carnivorous dinosaurs to a rebellious splinter colony with murky motives.
Is it any good?
Thanks to Steven Spielberg's backing, Terra Nova had plenty of buzz behind it well before it aired. And while hype like that can prove premature, in this case, it's surprisingly accurate, for in addition to mixing weighty themes, gripping action, and a well-paced plot with stellar production values, Terra Nova is largely family friendly, too.
It's particularly challenging to craft a series that will interest today's parents and teens. But Terra Nova rises to the occasion by giving adult and teen characters near-equal screen time, creating entry points for a variety of tastes. And if all else fails, well ... there's always the dinosaurs.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show's sci-fi premise and whether some of its themes are really that far off. What are the real-life consequences of greed, war, and ignorance? What actions can you take to ensure that the world you live in remains safe and habitable?
How accurately does the show portray relationships between parents and their kids, particularly teens?
Is the violence you see on this show any less impactful simply because it takes place in the sci-fi realm? What forms does violence take on planet Earth vs. Terra Nova?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
November 5, 2011
AGE
GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!
This is very cool. I like Commander Taylor. The actors are just great. I love the violence. This is for mature 10, 11, and 12 year olds. And totally okay for everyone above that.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
will keep it around
i watched this alone on saturday night and i think i will keep watching it wasnt all that bad just A LOT of violence and some bad language is all but not bad enough to stop me from viewing though plus .the little is just so cute and adorable
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
November 29, 2011
AGE
Terra Nova 101
Terra Nova is an amazing show for kids 11+. There is some language and gore, but if your child isn't scared or doesn't repeat the words they'll really enjoy this show. Thanks for reading! :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Violent, interesting story, but will probably pass.
This show had some language you would not want your child using. Aside from the sci-fi/enviornmental aspect, It had a storyline of violence running thru it - from people within the main characters to lesser characters, as well as the dinosaurs. The special effects are good - think Jurassic Park type dinos/violence. There were some serious attacks on teens, as well as teens sneaking off, drinking, disobeying their parents (in the first episode). I would probably reserve this show for high schoolers, but honestly there are better shows out there.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good for 13+ (and mature Tweens)
This is a great Sci-Fi show that most Tweens and teens will love. There are tons of positive messages; the entire show is based on positive role models and messages of sticking together, not being greedy, the love between a family, help others, saving the environment, watching out for ourselves, others, and the environment, and the list goes on and on. Basically, colonists are sent (with supplies) from the year 2149, where the earth is dying, back to the age of the dinosaurs to rebuild the human civilization. The story follows the Shannon's, who will do anything for one another. With an army officer (Stephen Lang) as one of their leaders, they seek to save the earth. There is violence related to protecting themselves and the colony from dinosaurs; characters carry guns, tazers, etc. Also, there are tanks and various intense scenes in which humans with big guns face off carnivorous dinosaurs. There is kissing between teens as romances blossom, and there is also minimal drinking. There is some moderate language; *ss, h*ll, d*mn, b****rd, and SOB are used in the show. They are used in scenes of fear, pain, frustration, anger, etc. This show is great for teens and up (and for mature Tweens).
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
November 23, 2011
AGE
Best!!!
Great show! It's exciting and fun go Fox!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good Adventure
My dad and I watch this show every Monday when my mom and sister are busy. This is a great, interesting show; that most the time is a good adventure. The only problem is some slight language, but nothing that bad. Violence could be a problem if you have an easily scared child. I personally think that this a great show that I hope will go on for a long time.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
On the fence
This TV show is absolutely the most intense thing my 10 year old has ever watched, and she LOVES it. If I had previewed it before letting her watch it, I would have nixed it straight out of the box, but this time letting her watch something has taught me something about how the lessons we have taught her (about how movies and tv work their "magic" and make us feel/think things that aren't real) have sunk in for her. During the suspenseful parts, she's at the edge of her seat and afterward has said things like "the music they used made me think that it was going to be a lot scarier than it was".
That's not to say that I don't still have my reservations. Why on earth they thought it was necessary to show the oldest son with peers who were making "moonshine" in the pilot episode is beyond me.
The violence is too much for my taste. People threaten other people with guns, people and dinosaurs are killed or seriously hurt on screen, blood is shown dripping. Seriously, as I write this I'm a little stunned that I'm allowing my child to watch it.
The suspense is intense. There was a scene in one episode where a small dinosaur is stalking the youngest child that has the potential to give nightmares to some kids.
My family is having a good time watching this show together. It is truly on the edge of being too much for my taste, but I'll hang in there a while longer.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
very rasist
i think this show is very rasist. black people are homeless and sick in the first episode. then the bad guys (sixers) are arab people and black people. what is this! and then the surviving black people are all light skin and not a single dark skinned person in sight
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Terra Nova: Worth Watching for Teens and Adults
It's a solid show from the creative minds behind "Lost". There's violence, but that's to be expected in a new colony where the dangers aren't just the splinter cell of humans who don't agree with Terra Nova's motives but dinosaurs that remind the newly arrived humans that they're quite low on the food chain.
There's cursing, yes, but appropriate? Like where you'd expect it, in situations of high stress and tension.
I think it says a lot about family bonds and realistic behaviors (the father has to reintegrate into the family after being in jail for a couple of years), and I find the Shannon's very refreshing! (It doesn't hurt that the brainiac of the family is their pretty eldest daughter who is working through her occasional knowledge vomit and being a teenage girl with a crush.)
I would recommend this for teenagers on up. My tween wouldn't find it interesting, and sometimes the dino scenes are intense and scary. And they aren't holding back on the blood and gore when the dinos and humans bump into each other!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | dinosaurs |
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Fox |
| Cast: | Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Stephen Lang |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
