Parents' Guide to

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Brainy Indiana Jones wannabe is a so-so adventure.

Movie NR 2004 106 minutes
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Lizmac
Lizmac Adult
March 15, 2020
age 9+

I would skip it

As another reviewer said, there is a bedroom scene that common sense doesn’t tell you about. The female lead is also especially rude. It was difficult to watch. I wish we would have skipped this movie. There is not a great message. No great role models. Just rudeness and an extra sex scene that the main review leaves out.
1 person found this helpful.
kathrynp1
kathrynp1 Parent
November 7, 2015
age 13+

Disappointed

We checked reviews on this movie and no where did they say, that there was a bedroom scene. The scene suddenly begins with sultry female in Japanese robe. She comes onto the Librarian, next scene shows clothes on the floor and librarian in bed alone. I'm sorry but this scene is not appropriate for a family in my opinion.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Following in the footsteps of adventure movies that marry intellectual pursuit and adventure (the Indiana Jones and National Treasure movies come to mind,) THE LIBRARIAN attempts to make a hero out of Flynn Carsen (played by Noah Wyle of E.R..) Flynn is a classic nerd. He lives with his mother (Olympia Dukakis), has 22 college degrees, speaks many languages, and has never had a girlfriend. When he's invited to apply for the position of Librarian at the Metropolitan Library, he proves that he has the intellectual acumen to do the job. What he doesn't realize is that his job is going to change his life. In fact, when the Spear of Destiny is stolen from the library, he is charged with recovering the missing pieces, and saving the entire world from unspeakable evil.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

Though Flynn Carsen is a loveable nerd and unlikely hero, his protectors at the Metropolitan Library (played by Bob Newhart and Jane Curtain) have complete faith in him. As he bungles through the jungle, and traipses across the world to save the Spear of Destiny from falling into the hands of the evil former librarian Edward (played by Kyle Mac Laughlin), he falls in love with his bodyguard Nicole (Sonya Walger.) Those viewers who have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, will recognize similar scenes and eerily comparable musical score. But there is none of that movie's subtlety in this made-for-television facsimile. Some of the historical facts seem muddled, and most of the special effects are unbelievable. But kids will likely enjoy the driving pace of the adventure, though the lengthy getting-to-know-you conversations between Flynn and Nicole might be a drag to younger viewers. To its credit, this movie gives libraries and the people who keep them running their moment in the sun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's presentation of history. Is it realistic? How do you know what is fact and fiction? Have you seen any marvelous things in a museum before? What gives an object power? Is it what it actually is, or what we believe it is?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

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.

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