Zootopia 2 (PG)
Age 8+
Charming sequel mixes humor, peril and positive messages.
The sequel to 2016’s hit animated buddy comedy continues the franchise’s positive themes, with bunny Judy Hopps and fox Nick Wilde (again voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman) now official police partners, teaming up to solve a mystery and clear their names of wrongdoing. Expect lots of physical comedy and fast-paced action, including high-speed chases, near falls and a fire set to smoke out (or potentially harm) witnesses. Characters are threatened, arrested, injected with snake venom and ordered to be “gotten rid of,” and a death is shown via flashback. There are a couple of mild innuendos (such as jokes referencing the word “threesome,” without further detail). Catnip is treated as a contraband substance, and there are a few scenes with wine and cocktails. Infrequent language includes “heck” and “butt,” plus insults such as “dumb” and “crazy” and a couple of euphemisms (such as “what the pork?”). The movie advocates for equity and inclusion, and other positive messages emphasize courage, empathy, integrity, perseverance and teamwork. (108 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (PG-13)
Age 13+
Benoit Blanc returns for a holy whodunit with crude talk and violence.
Investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns for the third film in writer-director Rian Johnson’s murder mystery series. The death that sets the plot in motion this time around takes place in the sanctuary of a Catholic church — and Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is the prime suspect. Violent moments include stabbings (with some blood), punches and the beating of a child. Strobe lights intensify one alarming sequence. Crude conversation about masturbation is played for comedy, and insults use strong language (“s—,” “Jesus” and one use of “f—ing”). People smoke and drink, and it’s implied that one character might have an alcohol dependency. Examining the flawed nature of humanity, the film’s overall message is that, for a community to thrive, its members need to give one another more grace and less judgment. And Duplenticy represents his faith with sincerity, offering a rare, positive cinematic depiction of someone who finds their calling in serving God. (144 minutes)
Available in theaters and Dec. 12 on Netflix.
Hamnet (PG-13)
Age 13+
Grief-driven drama is inspired by death of William Shakespeare’s son.
An absorbing period drama about the family tragedy that inspired “Hamlet,” the Chloé Zhao-directed film stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare. Expect deeply upsetting themes centered on loss and grief. A child’s death is shown, with him screaming in agony, and the film also depicts a stillbirth and a mother dying during childbirth. A father physically abuses his son until the boy grows older and fights back. One sex scene shows passionate kissing and physical intimacy but no graphic nudity. A character drinks to the point of intoxication and emotional distress. The story reflects 17th-century gender roles, with mothers at home raising children while fathers work, examining the toll this separation takes on parenthood and marriage. Slurs from this time period include “gypsy” and “wench.” While the film centers on a mother’s experience of losing her child, it emphasizes how artistic expression and storytelling can provide catharsis and closure. (125 minutes)
Available in theaters.
The Family Plan 2 (PG-13)
Age 13+
Violence, language and drugs in action-comedy sequel.
The sequel to 2023’s “The Family Plan” again stars Mark Wahlberg as a dad and reluctant action hero, this time on a family holiday trip to London. Language includes “s—,” “F you,” “hell,” “ho,” “b—-,” “damned,” “brat” and “a–.” Expect car chases and crashes. A child falls flat on his face trying to do parkour, and there are fistfights, gun and machete battles, threats to children by assassins, a drugging, falls, injuries, and deaths. Adults drink alcohol, a character is “roofied,” an adult finds his teenage “stash” that still has marijuana, and a grown-up tells college students to balance studying and partying. The film also has kissing, a mention of “long dong,” sexy date nights and the sounds of people having sex. The main characters are dedicated, protective parents who prioritize their family, but they also put their kids in harm’s way. (107 minutes)
Available on Apple TV.
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