Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Spectacular, but without a real story, it might bore kids.

PG 2012 91 minutes
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away isn't a documentary about the inner workings of Cirque performers but rather a 90-minute performance (with a framing story) featuring 3-D segments from most of the company's popular Las Vegas shows. There's little dialogue, and many of the performances are high-concept, death-defying acrobatic stunts. Some of the pieces include a bit of violence (all simulated, obviously, but they do include weapons such as spears and arrows), and a couple are focused on romance and sensuality -- especially the performance from the Cirque's "adult" show, Zumanity (which centers on a woman in a very sheer leotard), and the climactic lovers' duet.

Community Reviews

Cyberdave
Cyberdave Adult
January 5, 2013
age 7+

Overall a good film to see some of Cirque's spectacular acts if a little too long

We love Cirque and our daughter has watched Journey of Man on DVD since she was three and loves it. Now 5 1/2 we thought Worlds Away would be a good next step short of going to a show for which we feel she is still too young. This is a very different film than Journey of Man. It is darker in both lighting and content. It is also a bit more suspenseful and somewhat obscure in its message. After about 15 to 20 minutes it seemed due to the content we were not sure if our daughter was scared or not. We explained to her that it was a circus fantasy and it wasn't real and was she scared and did she want to leave? She did not want to leave. So we said OK. The film is a little disjointed trying to do Cirque's usual thing of tying together a personal journey through the very different acts. Many of the acts are spectacular but some are mediocre. The film could've been about 20 to 30 minutes shorter. It was also too loud. I've heard of Zumanity but have never seen it and did not know or tell at the time that there was an act from it in the film. The end is a touching romantic love story more than something basely suggestive. It was the best part of the film and the duo's acrobatic work was spectacular. It was not that much different than watching a duo act at Disney on Ice. Chances are this is not for younger kids but we felt she was ready for this. After it was over she told us she enjoyed it and that she was not scared. So it's all good!! Maybe best to get on DVD and skip through certain parts.

This title has:

Great messages
EZKF
EZKF Adult
January 1, 2013
age 5+

When it comes out on DVD I will definitely buy it.

This is a very artistic film. If you enjoy Cirque du Soleil performances you will want to clap at the end (as the audience did at the theather we went to). There are a couple of "violent" seens but they are very well choreographed fight performances. The 3D element adds a feeling of having front row seats.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Produced by James Cameron, this 3-D look at the Cirque du Soleil follows Mia (Erica Linz), a young woman who wanders into a traveling circus, where she's transfixed by the big top's star aerialist (Igor Zaripov). During his death-defying performance, he locks on eyes on Mia and falls. But instead of just landing in the ring, he falls into sand that takes him and Mia -- who follows him -- to another dimension, where there are several circus tents. Having lost sight of the aerialist, Mia goes from tent to tent, where she witnesses various amazing performances until she's finally reunited with her beloved.

Is It Any Good?

There's an awe-inspiring artistry and athleticism to Cirque du Soleil shows that are unmatched in the world of circus performances. There's a reason tickets to the most popular of the Las Vegas-based Cirque shows can cost upward of $150: These world-class acrobats, contortionists, and other performers will absolutely blow you away with their gymnastic theatricality in breathtaking sets that you won't find at the "regular" traveling circus.

But high-concept circus numbers aren't for everybody. Those who already fans of or are intrigued by Cirque du Soleil shows will appreciate the showmanship, the technical precision, and the beauty of the performances, but those who are ambivalent about this form of entertainment will likely be bored by some of the more esoteric segments, with the exception of the more straightforward "Viva Elvis" and "Beatles Love" productions. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY may be one long advertisement, but it's also an affordable way to see the most impressive performances from a variety of the company's shows.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away is part performance piece and part marketing tool. Does the movie make you want to see a live Cirque show? Why or why not?

  • Do you think the framing device works? Did you expect more dialogue? Did it feel strange that it was missing?

  • Did the segments featuring music by Elvis or the Beatles seem more accessible than the ones with less familiar music or story lines? How do the Cirque performances compare to what you've seen in more traditional circuses?

Movie Details

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