Funny game- and movie-based series has fantasy violence.
“Knuckles” is a TV series that picks up where the movie “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” left off. Since it focuses on Sonic’s superstrong sidekick Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba), there’s quite a bit of fistfighting and cartoon violence. Knuckles often likes to solve problems this way. The live-action human characters use guns that shoot lasers but don’t kill anyone. There’s some peril, but it never seems like the villains will succeed. Characters use insults throughout, calling one another names like “idiot” and “dumb”; other mild language includes “suck” and “freaking.” There are jokes that reference male anatomy, though they may go over some kids’ heads. (Six episodes)
Available on Paramount Plus.
Gorgeous animal documentary is full of wonder, peril and death.
Disneynature’s documentary “Tiger,” set in the Indian forest and narrated by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, reveals the lives of these wild animals, displaying tender relationships as well as a natural hierarchy involving hunters and prey. A mother tiger will do anything to protect her cubs. In scenes some might find upsetting, tigers are seen killing and eating deer and bears and dragging bloody carcasses around. Crocodiles also attack a deer and pull it underwater to its death. The film creates tension in showing tiger cubs regularly in danger from other animals, including a male tiger, a python and crocodiles. Two cubs go missing, and one disappears forever. The female tiger mates with the male tiger twice (not seen on camera). The film has plenty to teach about tigers, as well as lessons about protecting their natural environment and habitats so the animals can thrive. (89 minutes)
Available on Disney Plus.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (TV-PG)
Suspense and spooky thrills in fantasy book-based series.
“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a fantasy series based on Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi’s 2003 novel of the same name (which was previously adapted into a 2008 movie). Expect ominous tension, jump scares and monsters throughout. A major plot point revolves around an ogre that wants to eat all of a town’s human inhabitants. There’s some violence, but deaths usually happen slightly off camera, and weapons are shown more than used. The show’s central teen-sibling characters — twins Jared (Lyon Daniels) and Simon (Noah Cottrell) and their sister, Mallory (Mychala Lee) — argue and insult one another fairly frequently, using expressions like “shut up,” “crap,” “stupid” and “hell.” Kids who don’t like creepy sensations and scares will probably want to sit this one out. (Eight episodes)
Available on the Roku Channel.
Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver (PG-13)
Lots of violence, peril and death in battle-heavy sequel.
Director Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver,” the sequel to “Part One: A Child of Fire,” has almost an hour’s worth of explosive, lethal battle scenes. Known characters die, and others — including kids and makeshift parents — have to watch loved ones be threatened or killed. Bloody war scenes, some of which involve children, include death or injury by guns, swords, axes, strangling, decapitation, falls, crashes, explosions, mass executions, enslavements, amputations, throat-slashing and suicide. A diverse cast of warriors and villagers, often led by women, demonstrates courage. Two couples kiss, and one is seen in bed naked under covers. Language includes “s—,” “damn,” “hell,” “b—–d,” “scum” and “idiot.” Adults appear to be drinking alcohol, and there’s a reference to a character’s drinking problems. Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou and Ed Skrein star. (123 minutes)
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Source link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/04/26/common-sense-media-knuckles-rebel-moon-spiderwick-chronicles/