The Jensen Project

  • Review Date: July 15, 2010
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2010
  • Running Time: 85 minutes

Common Sense Media says

Excellent family flick loaded with feel-good messages.
  • Review Date: July 15, 2010
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • Release Year: 2010
  • Running Time: 85 minutes

Age(i)

2
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11
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15
16
17

Quality(i)

 
(i)
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What parents need to know

Educational value

The movie addresses the future possibilities of technology. There are also lots of take aways about family relationships and self-confidence.

Positive messages

The movie speaks to the challenges that families face to stay connected in a busy, tech-driven world and shows parents and their teenage son recommitting to communicating better. The story also touches on the real-world benefits of technological advancements (as well as the possible dangers when such breakthroughs fall into the wrong hands).

Positive role models

Claire and Matt are loving partners and parents who've let unresolved issues come between them but vow to change their ways for the sake of their family. Brody often disobeys his parents but learns that his actions can have severe consequences. Claire must face the demons of her past and find the courage and self-esteem to put them to rest.

Violence & scariness

A brief scene includdes some physical struggles and fists thrown, but thre are no visible injuries.

Sexy stuff

Mild flirting between teens, but they don't even kiss.

Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

The movie is sponsored by (among others) Walmart and XBox, and their products are shown in a couple of brief scenes. Also mention of PUR drinking water. The movie and its soundtrack are sold exclusively at Walmart.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this made-for-TV movie -- which mixes action, adventure, drama, and lots of positive messages -- is an excellent choice for families. The Thompsons’ struggles with communication and emotional connection will be relatable to most families, and the characters' journey toward each other will give parents and kids plenty to talk about after the movie’s over. There’s virtually no iffy content, but the pace and content probably won't grab little kids' interest, so it’s best for grade schoolers and up.

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What's the story?

Claire (Kellie Martin) and Matt Thompson are by all accounts a typical American couple -- but appearances hide the fact that they're both geniuses whose work once laid the groundwork for scientific breakthroughs at a secret research community called The Jensen Project. After leaving Jensen years ago under the stigma of failure, Claire has done her best to put the past behind her, but the facility’s leader, Ingrid (Patricia Richardson), returns to ask for her help when a scientist steals the plans for one of Claire’s designs and promises to sell it to the highest bidder. The black-market technology has dire implications for humanity itself, so the Thompsons -- along with their son, Brody -- agree to return to Jensen to lend a hand.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

NBC’s attempt to revive Family Movie Night hits its mark with THE JENSEN PROJECT, which gives families plenty to talk about after tuning in. The intriguing (albeit fictionalized, of course) glimpse into top-secret scientific research will get everyone’s gears turning about where the world is today and where we’re headed in the future. In addition, the movie surfaces the debate over who should have access to such breakthroughs (and for what purpose they can be used), which will prompt discussions about right and wrong and human responsibility.

On a more personal level, The Jensen Project also strikes at the heart of struggles that many real families will relate to -- like feeling out of touch and losing trust in one another. All of the Thompsons battle individual uncertainties, magnified by their emotional distance from each other. The movie chronicles their journey back toward understanding and communicating with each other, which holds worthwhile lessons for families who watch.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about how the Thompsons change over the course of the movie. How were their relationships less than perfect in the beginning of the movie? How did they work through their problems? Can you relate to what they went through?

  • What role does technology play in your life? How have advancements improved life for people around the world? Where are improvements still needed? What changes would you most like to see?

  • Who defines "right" and "wrong"? How does a person’s life experience affect his impression of right and wrong? Can personal opinion about what’s right stand in the way of changes that could help people?

Movie details

DVD release date:July 17, 2010
Cast:Brady Smith, Justin Kelly, Kellie Martin
Director:Douglas Barr
Studio:Muse Entertainment
Genre:Action/Adventure
Run time:85 minutes
MPAA rating:NR

This review of The Jensen Project was written by

Emily Ashby

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay 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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