Family adventure predictable but has bright ideas; peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Lightning Code is an indie family-friendly film that charges into action and thrills with a lighthearted sci-fi adventure about a teen inventor (played by Andrew Reid) taking down corporate greed and ending the world's energy crisis. There are a few perilous scenes involving chases and gunfire, but there's very little iffy content otherwise. Predictable characters and storyline display overall teamwork and perseverance while highlighting the educational scientific work of inventor Nikola Tesla. The movie also deals with grief and loss. Some mild teen flirting and one scene of drinking occur. Infrequent language includes one use of "crap," along with mild insults like "idiot," "jerk," "stupid," "dumb," "crazy," and "nerds," and "God" and "oh my God" as exclamation.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Peril. Chase scenes, gunfire, and blunt-force trauma, but no blood or injuries. Multiple scenes with trespassing, stealing, mayhem, and destruction via explosions.
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Infrequent language includes one use of "crap," along with insults like "idiot," "jerk," "stupid," "dumb," "crazy," "nerds." Exclamatory use of "God" and "oh my God."
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One scene of an adult married couple kissing. Multiple scenes of teens flirting and holding hands, and an off-screen kiss is implied (camera pulls away at the last second).
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Promotes the power of innovation, teamwork, and standing up to do what's right for the greater good. Also the value of family and true friendship, with mild themes of dealing with grief and loss. It's important to dream, aspire, and achieve—to go beyond the ordinary, with a little help and trust from loved ones. Draws attention to the world's energy crisis, with hopes of inspiring a new generation of inventors and engineers.
Educational Value
some
Provides an overview on inventor Nikola Tesla and his work on energy generation and electrical engineering. Includes science terminology, concepts, and engineering components used to enhance the lightning-like energy. Some discussion and insight on Greek mythology and gods.
Positive Role Models
some
The main characters have good intentions, though no one is perfect. Miles is a determined teen inventor with big dreams of finishing his mother's work, but he also has a short temper, runs away from home, and does things like trespass, steal, and break the law. Piper is a good friend who's a cyber hacker committing online felonies. Jamie is a curious child who doesn't listen. The teens work together and use their critical thinking skills, courage, teamwork, and perseverance to do the right thing. Kennedy wants to impress her mom and move up the corporate ladder but ultimately turns around to do the right thing when danger threatens the greater good.
Diverse Representations
a little
Most of the filmmakers are White. Characters on-screen are more diverse, including co-stars Sienna Ribeiro, who's mixed race, and Ryder Khatiwala, who's of Indian descent. All main characters are from a lower socioeconomic background, while greedy villains have higher power and wealth. Main character Miles (Andrew Reid) lives in a single-parent home, and other characters are in an unconventional blended family. Background characters represent a diverse world, including race and body type. One of the villain-type investors speaks in a heavy "foreign" accent that plays into stereotype.
THE LIGHTNING CODE tells the story of Miles Fletcher (Andrew Reid), a teen inventor who's determined to finish his late mother's work: building a perpetual, sustainable energy machine and sharing it with the world. But when a greedy energy company seizes Miles' invention to use it as a weapon, he has to lean on family and friends to fight back before it's too late.
This lighthearted and family-friendly—but ultimately forgettable—sci-fi adventure isn't exactly electrifying, with its thin plot, predictable characters, and low-budget CGI. But with a few bright spots and ideas, The Lightning Code sparks enough momentum for a new generation of innovative, energy-conscious kids, and overall squeaks by as a watchable family film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dangers of power and greed in The Lightning Code. Why was Miles' invention so alluring to the Luxos Company? Why is the production of limitless energy possibly dangerous?
Based on this sci-fi film, do you think that the Luxos Company made good decisions to end the world's energy crisis? What would you have done differently?
At his lowest point, Miles loses his temper with his friends. Can you remember a time when your temper exploded? Do you think that Miles did the right thing after? What would you have done?
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
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.