Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Passable thriller promotes teamwork; violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Amber Alert
What's the Story?
AMBER ALERT begins with Jaq (Hayden Panettiere), who's about to be late for a blind date, getting into a ride-share car driven by Shane (Tyler James Williams). But what starts out as a basic drive turns into a chase once Jaq realizes that one of the cars next to them is being driven by someone involved in a recently released Amber Alert. The two strangers proceed to turn their ride-share into a quest to save the missing girl and hunt down the kidnapper.
Is It Any Good?
This thriller's appeal rests almost exclusively on the charm and talent of Panettiere and Williams, who do their best to make what could easily be a shaky thriller work. Thanks to how much fun they are to watch, Amber Alert rises in the ranks to become a competent, entertaining diversion—if still easily forgettable. Panettiere and Williams are clearly striving to make their characters and their actions believable. But that ultimately may not matter all that much, because sometimes you just want to watch something that you know will end up with the villains getting their just due and the heroes saving the day. Yes, certain plot elements are telegraphed, but that's also what makes a film like Amber Alert feel like comforting fast-food: You know what you're getting, and you won't end up being disappointed by it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teamwork. How do the two main characters in Amber Alert work together to find the missing child?
What role does race play in the film? Why are diverse representations important in the media?
How do the characters use compassion to their benefit?
What personal experiences connect Jaq and Shane?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 27, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : September 27, 2024
- Cast : Hayden Panettiere , Tyler James Williams , Kevin Dunn , Saida Arrika Ekulona , Katie McClellan
- Director : Kerry Bellessa
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Thriller
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violent content, disturbing images, thematic material and language
- Last updated : October 8, 2024
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