Zero Hour
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Conspiracy theory thriller on the milder side; some blood.
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What's the Story?
When his wife (Jacinda Barrett) is mysteriously abducted by a known terrorist (Michael Nyqvist), Modern Skeptic magazine editor Hank Galliston (Anthony Edwards) -- aided by two of his staffers (Addison Timlin and Scott Michael Foster) and an ambitious FBI agent (Carmen Ejogo) with her own agenda -- sets out to find her by following a set of clues he found locked away inside an old clock. But as each minute brings them closer to the ZERO HOUR, they learn that the very future of humanity is at stake.
Is It Any Good?
Blending aspects of Dan Brown's bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code (and the 2006 film adaptation) with elements of National Treasure, Zero Hour makes an ambitious play for viewers with a sweeping premise set on a global scale. That's pretty gutsy for a television show. But Zero Hour largely delivers the goods with an effectively paced script and compelling plot points that succeed at drawing you in -- and making you think.
At times, the dialogue can get overly schmaltzy. But the best news if you're a parent is that you can watch with older kids without having to worry too much about content red flags. And with so many aspects of the plot rooted in real-life history, you're also bound to learn something while you're being entertained.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Zero Hour's premise as it relates to world history -- from the Bible to World War II. What do you know about the 12 apostles of Christianity? What about the Nazis? How does this series use known facts for fictional purposes?
What's the appeal of conspiracy theories -- both in real life and in fictional works like Zero Hour? Why do some people believe that those in power are guarding the truth from the rest of us on a grand scale? What's feeding that sense of distrust?
How far-fetched is the plot? Which elements seem plausible? Which seem improbable?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 14, 2013
- Cast: Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Jacinda Barrett
- Network: ABC
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: March 8, 2023
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