Pets
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Pets involves a scene wherein the family pet dog is accidentally shot and appears to be dead (but is later OK.) A brother teases his sister about her bra, and a villainous loan officer smokes a cigar. Additionally, the main action is driven by a gold heist and, as such, involves high-speed chases, armed guards, and consistently recurring slapstick violence. Overall, the film is more suited for older kids.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
When their parents leave them alone for a trip into the city, brother-sister duo Peter (Josh Grolman) and Shannon (Jenna Dover) must look after themselves and stay out of trouble. But trouble finds them when a gold heist takes place nearby and the thieves need a place -- the siblings' farm -- to lay low for a minute, leaving the two kids to work together to stay safe until their parents return.
Is It Any Good?
Even with talking farm animals, PETS doesn't come quite near the achievement of a movie it nods heavily to, Home Alone. But it pays its dues entertainingly enough with incompetent thieves, slapstick violence, and lots of remarkable ingenuity on the part of children left home alone to defend their turf, all with an Australian flavor.
Though this knockoff drags a bit, it has fun with a Dick Tracy-era setting, and, for kids who like adventures and farm animals, there will be lots of silly, pratfall-driven laughs and an all-too-brief but fun evil villain played by George Hamilton. Parents, however, may find themselves longing for a more original version with less filler that hits all the right notes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about working as a team in a pinch. Have you ever had to work with a friend, sibling, or family member to solve a big problem? What happened? What did you do?
Do you have siblings? If so, do you get along? What do you do to have fun together?
The kids in the movie are very clever at using household items to set traps to stop the intruders. Have you ever made art or toys out of household items? What sorts of contraptions did you make? What materials did you use?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 9, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: December 9, 2002
- Cast: George Hamilton, Jenna Dover, Josh Grolman
- Director: David Lister
- Studio: Allumination
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Home Alone
Slapstick comedy is funny but full of iffy stuff.
-
Uncle Buck
'80s comedy about a bachelor babysitter has profanity, sex.
-
Cheaper by the Dozen
Inferior remake of 1950 classic has sexual references.
For kids who love adventures
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