Movie Reviews
The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.
The Amazing Spider-Man (Columbia)
The legendary web-swinger is back, battling teen angst by day and catching crooks at night in this 3-D reboot of the classic Marvel comic book character, directed by Marc Webb. A high-school science geek (Andrew Garfield) is bitten by a radioactive spider and undergoes the familiar transformation. As he impresses a comely classmate (Emma Stone), he neglects his family, resulting in the death of his uncle (Martin Sheen). When genetic engineering run amok turns a scientist (Rhys Ifans) into a monster, however, the once-arrogant lad finds his inner hero. The style and vision of Webb's version are darker than those of director Sam Raimi's trilogy. Still, amid the action and thrills lies an inspirational tale about accepting responsibility and using one's gifts for the greater good. Intense action violence, including gunplay, some rough language. (A-III, PG-13)
Ice Age: Continental Drift (Fox)
Modestly entertaining 3-D animated sequel in which the sudden sundering of the once-united continents separates the goodhearted father (voice of Ray Romano) of a family of mammoths from his levelheaded wife (voice of Queen Latifah) and headstrong teenage daughter (voice of Keke Palmer). Dad's determined efforts to reunite his clan are aided by his two closest friends, a sloth (voice of John Leguizamo) and a tiger (voice of Denis Leary). But he's temporarily stymied when the trio of pals is taken prisoner by a band of pirates led by a bellicose orangutan (voice of Peter Dinklage). Scenes involving a manic squirrel (voice of Chris Wedge) provide the high points of this fourth installment of the popular franchise, co-directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier. Though other comic elements are beginning to feel worn, lessons in loyal friendship and family solidarity are more durable. Mild menace, a bit of scatological humor. (A-I, PG)
Katy Perry: Part of Me (Paramount)
Though she attracts a youthful following, the campily costumed central figure of this concert film sings lyrics ranging from the suggestive to the blatantly sexual that parents will almost certainly find unsuitable for their kids. The mildly entertaining but overlong proceedings, helmed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, moreover, are characterized by an ambiguous outlook on the pop diva's Pentecostal Christian upbringing and a message promoting individualism without limit that at least implies acceptance of a gay lifestyle. Some suggestive outfits and dancing, mature references, including to homosexual behavior, obvious double entendres, childish scatological humor, at least one mild oath and a censored crude term, a bit of crass language. (A-III, PG)
Savages (Universal)
Directed and co-written by Oliver Stone from the 2010 novel by Don Winslow, this vicious, blood-soaked saga of drug lords glorifies primal urges, vulgarity and man's inhumanity toward man. Two friends (Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch) and their shared lover (Blake Lively) run a successful business growing the best marijuana in North America. When a takeover by a Mexican drug cartel (led by Salma Hayek) is rebuffed, the girlfriend is kidnapped, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Perverted values; pervasive brutal and grisly violence, including gunplay, torture and rape; graphic nonmarital sex with rear and upper female nudity; off-screen aberrant sexual activity; suicide; a benign view of drug use; and frequent rough language. (O, R)
—CNS
Catholic News Service classifications: A-I — general patronage; A-II — adults and adolescents; A-III — adults; L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling; O — morally offensive. Full-length reviews: www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm.
The Amazing Spider-Man (Columbia)
The legendary web-swinger is back, battling teen angst by day and catching crooks at night in this 3-D reboot of the classic Marvel comic book character, directed by Marc Webb. A high-school science geek (Andrew Garfield) is bitten by a radioactive spider and undergoes the familiar transformation. As he impresses a comely classmate (Emma Stone), he neglects his family, resulting in the death of his uncle (Martin Sheen). When genetic engineering run amok turns a scientist (Rhys Ifans) into a monster, however, the once-arrogant lad finds his inner hero. The style and vision of Webb's version are darker than those of director Sam Raimi's trilogy. Still, amid the action and thrills lies an inspirational tale about accepting responsibility and using one's gifts for the greater good. Intense action violence, including gunplay, some rough language. (A-III, PG-13)
Ice Age: Continental Drift (Fox)
Modestly entertaining 3-D animated sequel in which the sudden sundering of the once-united continents separates the goodhearted father (voice of Ray Romano) of a family of mammoths from his levelheaded wife (voice of Queen Latifah) and headstrong teenage daughter (voice of Keke Palmer). Dad's determined efforts to reunite his clan are aided by his two closest friends, a sloth (voice of John Leguizamo) and a tiger (voice of Denis Leary). But he's temporarily stymied when the trio of pals is taken prisoner by a band of pirates led by a bellicose orangutan (voice of Peter Dinklage). Scenes involving a manic squirrel (voice of Chris Wedge) provide the high points of this fourth installment of the popular franchise, co-directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier. Though other comic elements are beginning to feel worn, lessons in loyal friendship and family solidarity are more durable. Mild menace, a bit of scatological humor. (A-I, PG)
Katy Perry: Part of Me (Paramount)
Though she attracts a youthful following, the campily costumed central figure of this concert film sings lyrics ranging from the suggestive to the blatantly sexual that parents will almost certainly find unsuitable for their kids. The mildly entertaining but overlong proceedings, helmed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, moreover, are characterized by an ambiguous outlook on the pop diva's Pentecostal Christian upbringing and a message promoting individualism without limit that at least implies acceptance of a gay lifestyle. Some suggestive outfits and dancing, mature references, including to homosexual behavior, obvious double entendres, childish scatological humor, at least one mild oath and a censored crude term, a bit of crass language. (A-III, PG)
Savages (Universal)
Directed and co-written by Oliver Stone from the 2010 novel by Don Winslow, this vicious, blood-soaked saga of drug lords glorifies primal urges, vulgarity and man's inhumanity toward man. Two friends (Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch) and their shared lover (Blake Lively) run a successful business growing the best marijuana in North America. When a takeover by a Mexican drug cartel (led by Salma Hayek) is rebuffed, the girlfriend is kidnapped, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Perverted values; pervasive brutal and grisly violence, including gunplay, torture and rape; graphic nonmarital sex with rear and upper female nudity; off-screen aberrant sexual activity; suicide; a benign view of drug use; and frequent rough language. (O, R)
—CNS
Catholic News Service classifications: A-I — general patronage; A-II — adults and adolescents; A-III — adults; L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling; O — morally offensive. Full-length reviews: www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm.
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