Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dexter Riley trilogy falls flat in its final installment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell) and his pals have been working in the science lab at Medfield College making vitamin-rich feed for a cow named Ruthie Bell to help her gain weight and produce more milk. Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) discovers the cost of their experiments and shuts their lab down, firing their favorite teacher. Then, quite by accident, Dexter eats a bowl of the cereal laced with the strength formula, and before you can say Snap, Crackle, Pop he finds he has supernatural strength. Dean Higgins brings the formula to a cereal company, and the stealing of secrets and scheming ensue in this mid-70's caper.
Is It Any Good?
Not as strong as the other two films in the Dexter Riley series, this one spends more time characterizing the buffoonery of adults than paying attention to the kids who are watching the film. In fact, Kurt Russell spends less time on-screen than his many co-stars. Modern day kids might be bored by the lame special effects and the many minutes spent in board meetings with old white men.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether foods like breakfast cereals can really do everything that they promise. What other kinds of products make such lofty promises? Is Dexter cheating when he takes the strength formula before he performs in the weight-lifting contest?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 5, 1975
- On DVD or streaming : May 4, 1975
- Cast : Eve Arden , Joe Flynn , Kurt Russell
- Director : Vincent McEveety
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : General Audiences
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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