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Parents' Guide to

Skellig: The Owl Man

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Fantasy mixes with emotionally intense family drama.

Movie NR 2010 104 minutes
Skellig: The Owl Man Poster Image

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Is It Any Good?

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Kids say (2 ):

SKELLIG: THE OWL MAN is a gripping mix of mysterious magical realism, emotionally intense family drama, and a tween boy coming-of-age story. What works is how it manages to balance all three of these elements while making full use of the possibilities in each story. The film doesn't sugarcoat old age, the difficulties kids have in moving to a new place, and the trials parents endure after experiencing a miscarriage. All this is presented in a way that is accessible and identifiable enough for parents and kids, and with the mystery of Skellig in the mix, the result is a powerful message on belief and hope.

While the movie's pace, and some of the graphic scenes of cockroaches and snails might be a bit much for younger viewers, for tween kids and parents, Skellig: The Owl Man is an engaging adaptation of the best-selling novel.

Movie Details

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