Parents' Guide to World War Z

Movie PG-13 2013 116 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson By Jeffrey M. Anderson , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Brad Pitt zombie thriller is dull, despite intense moments.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 2:33
  • World War Z Trailer

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 31 parent reviews

 

 

See all 31 parent reviews
age 12+

Based on 146 kid reviews

Kids say that the movie is thrilling and engaging, with a mix of action and suspense that keeps viewers invested without being excessively gory, making it suitable for older kids around 12 and up. Many reviews highlight its minimal use of strong language and limited violence, even questioning its PG-13 rating given the intensity of some scenes, but overall, it has been praised for its compelling storyline and message about unity during a crisis.

  • intense action
  • suitable for tweens
  • minimal language
  • effective storytelling
  • great role models
  • not overly graphic
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 146 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Retired UN agent Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) is happy staying at home with his wife (Mireille Enos) and two daughters. But one morning, while driving the kids to school, strange things start happening. It becomes apparent that certain people have gone crazy and have started attacking and biting other innocents, zombie-style. It's not long before Gerry's old boss calls him in, and he's jetting around the world, trying to find the source of the deadly outbreak, or at least a cure. But the zombies are ruthless and resourceful, and Gerry is running out of time and places to hide.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 31 ):
Kids say ( 146 ):

The bestselling novel World War Z by Max Brooks (Mel Brooks' son) started a bidding war right out of the gate, and unfortunately it's been turned into a sloppy, dull summer action flick. Director Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Machine Gun Preacher) has never shown much personality or skill when it comes to big movies; his action sequences are shaky and choppy, and his suspense sequences are clunky rather than tense. The entire movie has a grim, serious demeanor that sucks all the potential fun out of it. It's probably the least scary zombie movie ever made.

WORLD WAR Z is also one of those movies that makes you want to scream at the characters for not being very smart; if they'd seen even one zombie movie, they'd know not to make the same old mistakes. There isn't a scene in it that couldn't have been done better. Not even the actors pass muster: Pitt is on autopilot, and character actors like David Morse are gone before they've had a chance to warm up. The title of this dud should have included more "Z"s.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about World War Z's violence. What is shown, and what isn't shown? How is this movie different from other zombie movies? Is it more or less intense?

  • What's the appeal of zombie movies in general? What do zombies say about who we are as a culture?

  • Is World War Z scary? What is it really about if it's not a true horror movie?

Movie Details

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