Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ferrell's reboot of '70s show is rife with gross-out laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Land of the Lost
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 38 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is largely inappropriate for younger audiences due to excessive vulgarity, sexual innuendos, violence, and outdated, inaccurate portrayals of dinosaurs. While some viewers found humor in it and appreciated the special effects, many echoed concerns about its suitability for children, ultimately deeming it more of an adult comedy not intended for a family viewing experience.
- inappropriate content
- lacks family appeal
- excessive vulgarity
- outdated humor
- mixed audience reception
- not for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 56 kid reviews
What's the Story?
After his bizarre theories about time-travel and inter-dimensional wormholes earn him the scorn of the scientific community, Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) is exiled to working as a tour guide at the La Brea tar pits. Holly Cantrell (Anna Friel), the one person who believes his theories, finds him, encourages him to build his dimension-spanning equipment, and then leads him to a souvenir stand in the desert run by Will (Danny McBride) that just happens to be at a weak spot between worlds. Soon, the three are transported to a strange primitive world full of dinosaurs, friendly primates, and scary lizard men.
Is It Any Good?
What saves LAND OF THE LOST from being annoying or overblown is the naked transparency of its low ambitions. This isn't a serious-minded reinvention of the series or an attempt to make a work of art out of '70s TV. Instead, it's a chance for Ferrell and McBride -- two talented comedic improvisers -- to do their thing in a world of dinosaurs and dangers, peril and parody.
Director Brad Silberling, working from a script by two ex-Saturday Night Live writers, knows this, so he goes easy on spectacle and heavy on slapstick. Land of the Lost is hardly the most original comedy -- Ferrell's playing another of his arrogant airheads, McBride another of his roughneck buffoons -- and yet something about the sci-fi setting makes what could have been tired moments fresh, as if a familiar restaurant redecorated while still serving old favorite recipes. A broad, foolish comedy, Land of the Lost has more than a few laughs, even if it is somehow both expensive and disposable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the phenomenon of '70s TV shows coming to the big screen. Does this represent the fact that these shows have wormed their way into the public consciousness because they were worthwhile -- or is it just about making money?
Families can also talk about Will Ferrell -- what do all of his characters seem to have in common? What's behind his comedic appeal?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 5, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2009
- Cast : Anna Friel , Danny McBride , Will Ferrell
- Director : Brad Silberling
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual content, and for language including a drug reference
- Last updated : November 3, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate