Parents' Guide to The Lost City

Movie PG-13 2022 92 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Tara McNamara By Tara McNamara , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Bullock romcom adventure has cheeky moments, brief blood.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 10 parent reviews

age 12+

Based on 31 kid reviews

Kids say the movie is entertaining, with many finding it hilarious, though opinions vary on its appropriateness for younger viewers; while some adults feel it contains too many sexual jokes and some violence, others see it as suitable for kids aged 10 and up, particularly if they're familiar with similar humor. Overall, the film impresses with its humor and adventurous plot but may not appeal to everyone due to its predictable storyline and controversial content.

  • fun and funny
  • mild violence
  • sexual jokes
  • mixed reviews
  • age recommendations
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

In THE LOST CITY, reclusive romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) is starting the promotional tour for her latest work, The Lost City of D, accompanied by handsome cover model Alan (Channing Tatum). When Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) to help him find the lost city's lost treasure, Alan sets off to rescue her to prove he's just as much a hero as the one he portrays on Loretta's book covers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 10 ):
Kids say ( 31 ):

Treasure hunting + adventure + comedy + romance seems like a formula for cinematic success, and, indeed, Paramount Pictures has struck gold here. Giving off Romancing the Stone vibes, The Lost City has a hilarious script that's made even funnier with perfect casting. Bullock is the master of playing a relatably put-upon woman, and here she also gets to be the smartest person in the room and the jungle. It's a kick to see Tatum and co-star Brad Pitt play into their sex-symbol images, laughing along with the audience while simultaneously showing that the "ideal man" has the same insecurities and vulnerabilities as everyone else.

While the top-billed stars are national treasures, the real find in The Lost City is Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Loretta's publisher, Beth. She could have easily turned out as a typical romcom confidante, but Randolph offers a different take, evolving "the best friend" into a magnificent, three-dimensional, confident woman who is a boss by all definitions, literally going to the ends of the Earth for those she loves. While this isn't a perfect film, it's pretty great, and writer Seth Gordon puts plenty in it to love, including a strong message that it's the hard times that help us appreciate the good times.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence and peril in The Lost City. How did the movie use death both for comedy and to magnify the importance that the loss of any life, even that of a villain, is a tragedy? The characters are often in extreme peril: Were you ever worried? Why, or why not?

  • What do you think "sweeter after difficulty" means? Why might it be a good mantra to remember during rough times?

  • Do you think The Lost City is a romantic comedy? Why, or why not? How does it compare to other romcoms?

  • What is product placement, and how does it impact buying choices? Did you notice certain brands?

  • Are smoking and drinking glamorized here? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

Movie Details

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