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Spectre

age 14+
(i)

 

Fast-paced thriller is high on action, lighter on emotion.
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  • Review Date: November 6, 2015
  • Rated: PG-13
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Running Time: 150 minutes

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What parents need to know

Positive messages

While espionage and conflict/violence are glamorized throughout the Bond series, it's also clear that loyalty has its value, especially when you're loyal to someone deserving. Getting a different perspective on life can also help you reframe your priorities.

Positive role models

Bond often relies on violence to accomplish his goals, is frequently driven by revenge, has his share of vices, and has been known to choose iffy ways of resolving problems, but he's loyal to the end, determined to carry out a mission from his previous mentor, even if she's not around to see it completed.

Violence

The violence isn't constant, but at some key moments, it's relentless. And when the story calls for it, the audience isn't spared brutality. People shoot at each other with the intent to kill, cars explode, helicopters and airplanes go haywire, hand-to-hand combat is bone-crunching, and at one point, a man's eyes are gouged. In another scene, a man drills into another's brain. Someone commits suicide via a gunshot to the head.

Sex

Lots of innuendo and passionate kissing, with a clear understanding that intercourse is about to happen. But no outright/graphic nudity.

Language

Language includes "damn" and "s--t."

Consumerism

Brands seen early and often include Aston Martin, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Range Rover, Omega watches, and Sony.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Bond's iconic vodka martini makes an appearance, shaken and dirty. Mostly social drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Spectre, the 24th entry in the James Bond franchise (and the fourth starring Daniel Craig), continues in its recent predecessors' bloody tradition, high on both violence/thrills and excitement. Expect plenty of the adrenaline-fueled action sequences (shoot-outs, chases, explosions, etc.) that signify a Bond film, as well as some cringe-inducing moments (a man's eyes are gouged, someone drills into another's brain) and a suicide by gunshot. The movie touches on the topic of adoption/foster families (references to Bond's foster brother being angry about Bond's relationship with the other boy's biological dad). There's also some swearing (including "s--t"), though nothing too over-the-top, as well as plenty of innuendo, kissing, and groping, as is always the case with Bond. And, of course, there's the classic martini (shaken, not stirred), and the requisite product placement for everything from Aston Martin cars to Omega watches.

What's the story?

In SPECTRE -- the 24th installment of the James Bond franchise, Daniel Craig reprises his role as Agent 007. This time, Bond is seeking to avenge the death of his mentor, the former M (Judi Dench), whose death Bond still can't shake. His nemesis (Christoph Waltz) this time around appears to be the head of a criminal organization called Spectre, with whom Bond shares a past. Meanwhile, the new M (Ralph Fiennes) is fighting against an MI6 top gun who wants to scrape the entire double-0 enterprise. To get to his enemies, Bond decides to reach out to the daughter (Lea Seydoux) of another baddie -- but she may actually wind up having more of an influence on him.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Time and again, the folks behind the Bond franchise prove they can put together a fine cast and (to crib from another franchise) fast and furious action. This time, Seydoux and the brilliant Waltz are added to a proven mix that includes Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris (as quartermaster Q and Moneypenny, respectively). And the many action sequences offer plenty of thrills, which almost justify the movie's overlong run time. (The opening sequence is vintage brilliant Bond.) Seydoux and Craig have great chemistry, and she gets a little bit, though not much, more to do here than Bond women of yore. Is Spectre as good as its immediate predecessor, Skyfall, which was much more emotional in many ways? Not quite, but it's still plenty of fun.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Spectre/the James Bond franchise. How does the violence in the more recent movies compare to the older ones? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • What makes James Bond "cool"? Is it his skills? His attitude? Do you consider him a role model? What makes him so appealing (and enduring) in general? How different is he from the villains in his movies? How similar?

  • Is the Bond franchise still relevant for today's sensibilities? How has it changed to keep up with the times?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:November 6, 2015
DVD release date:February 9, 2016
Cast:Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes
Director:Sam Mendes
Studio:Columbia Pictures
Genre:Action/Adventure
Topics:Adventures
Run time:150 minutes
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language
Awards/Honors:Academy Award

This review of Spectre was written by

S. Jhoanna Robledo
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Quality

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  • Best: Really engaging; great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging; good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging; good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging; OK learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Great handpicked alternatives

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  • Casino Royale (2006)
    Darker than usual Bond; too violent for tweens.
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Teen, 15 years old Written byBaconpizza78 November 4, 2015
age 13+

I don't watch Bond but this was kinda good

I have seen any of the Bond films but I had to watch this because it was my brothers birthday and I went too. It was good but it was really long (148 minutes to be precise!) but it still entertains. It's violent and has some bad language. Violence is not usually bloody but does have some death and loads of guns and people do shoot at eachother. There is a brief torture scene but it only lasts a minute and the victim escapes. And language includes words like s--t, b--ch and d--k but I don't recall any F words. I'd say 13 plus should be good. It's entertaining and... well of course I'd recommend IT for Bond fans. Spectre gets 3 and a half stars.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Teen, 17 years old Written byNo Name, for real. November 8, 2015
age 14+

A man...

The incredible opening tracking shot, the day of the dead, the cinematography, Christoph Waltz as the bad guy, Sam Mendes as the director, that's gotta be a formula for an amazing movie right? Unfortunately no. While there is some good in the movie, Spectre is just flat out uninteresting. And to be blunt is actually pretty boring. Where as Casino, and Skyfall could be slow at times, the story was still investing and interesting. Spectre is just not interesting, and there's nothing really about this movie that could distinguish itself from any other action movie out there. To sum it up because I don't have the energy to talk about it, Spectre was disappointing and I'm really bummed out about it. So just watch Skyfall instead.
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Adult Written byerica921 November 9, 2015
age 13+

bond james bond

all the bond films are best left for teens
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