The '80s: The Decade That Made Us
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fascinating, mature retelling of memorable era's legacy.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
THE '80S: THE DECADE THAT MADE US is a retrospective journey through a 10-year time span of cultural evolution, technological breakthroughs, and political change that set the stage for the state of world and cultural affairs today. Narrated by Rob Lowe, this six-part series revisits historical events from the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan to the advent of the VCR, exploring the role each played in the progress of the '80s era. Pairing video footage with modern-day interviews, the content draws relationships between seemingly stand-alone events, illustrating the interconnectedness among revolutionary figures, life-altering inventions, and iconic moments united in the timeframe from which they came.
Is It Any Good?
The age of breakdancing and jelly bracelets inspires distinct visual images, especially for viewers who have their own memories from this era. But The '80s: The Decade That Made Us doesn't wallow in nostalgia so much as it uses cultural references to complete the picture of a time that witnessed indelible changes to American politics and society. As the country transitioned from the weariness over energy shortages and hostage crises in the '70s to a new climate of individuality and entrepreneurship, what role did the Sony Walkman or Jane Fonda fitness videos play in forever altering that picture? How did a ragtag hockey team inspire an entire nation's new confidence and view of the future? And what was the significance of voting an actor into the White House?
Because this series assumes the audience has a working knowledge of major historical events during this era, it's not a suitable choice for younger kids. What's more, it explores a range of mature topics like gender discrimination, race relations, war, and sexuality, sometimes in greater depth than is appropriate for some teens. If your older ones are interested in watching, you might want to screen the content to judge its appropriateness for them. Ultimately, though, the curious questions, thought-provoking answers, and yes, touches of nostalgia make this a fascinating and entertaining series for a range of viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how history shapes our world today. What is the lasting legacy of the '80s decade? How do the breakthroughs that era saw continue to influence our lives today?
Can we properly appreciate the impact of the events we live through as they happen? How does elapsed time give us a clearer view of how things change because of them? What do you think will be the legacy of the most recent decade?
Discuss the reasoning behind this documentary's unique style. Why does it give equal time to political events, technology, and important moments in our cultural history? How do these factors influence each other?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 14, 2013
- Cast: Rob Lowe
- Network: National Geographic Channel
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: History
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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