The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG)
Age 7+
Peril and some scares in peachy video game sequel.
The sequel to 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” brings back brothers Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in an adventure focused on the origins of the brave princesses Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Rosalina (Brie Larson). The villain Bowser (Jack Black) seems to have changed his ways, but Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) wants to destroy the universe. He’s armed with a magic paintbrush that creates horrors such as a giant snapping piranha plant and a roaring dragon. There’s lots of fantasy cartoon action violence, but the animation style and tone help counter the fear factor. Peach, Mario and the gang fight off hammer-wielding turtles and dodge spinning blades and swinging axes. Some younger or more sensitive kids may be unsettled by a giant, menacing robot, a toothy T. rex and a character who emerges from lava as a skeleton warrior. Mario’s friends tease him lightly about his crush on Peach. Language is of the “shut up,” “dorks” and “oh God” variety. (99 minutes)
Available in theaters.
The Drama (R)
Age 16+
Radiantly unsettling wedding comedy includes sex and guns.
This dark comedy explores unconditional love as its altar-bound protagonists (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) grapple with the revelation that one of them had some pretty disturbing ideas in high school. The situation is meant to provoke shocked laughter, but it also helps illustrate the impact of kindness and inclusion (plus the dangers of social media). Other than a quick clip of someone getting hit in the face, violent images mostly take the form of worried imaginings: corpses strewn across the room at a party; tweens’ bloody dead bodies in a car crash; and a main character spontaneously bleeding. There are also sexualized images of women and young girls posing with and shooting guns, as well as stories of bullying and references to school and mall shootings. There’s a quick, fairly graphic sex montage, though sensitive parts aren’t shown. Heavy drinking has consequences. Characters also smoke and discuss heroin, and one takes prescription antianxiety medication. There’s extensive vomiting, and extremely strong language that includes “f—,” “c—” “s—” and “b—-.” (106 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord (TV-PG)
Age 10+
Classic villain threatens in animated sci-fi series with violence.
Set in the Star Wars universe, this animated series follows the intergalactic villain Darth Maul (voiced by Sam Witwer) as he tries to take over the criminal enterprises of a new planet, only to be thwarted by police officer Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) and his trusty droid deputy, Two-Boots (Richard Ayoade). Expect lots of science-fiction violence, including lightsaber battles, powerful blasters, fistfighting and high-speed chases. At one point, gangsters toast and drink. The horned Maul remains a particularly frightening character. (10 episodes)
Available on Disney+.
Bait (TV-MA)
Age 15+
Swearing and racist language in smart dark comedy.
This dark British comedy stars series creator Riz Ahmed as a struggling actor who just might be the next James Bond. Cultural othering and racism are core themes, and derogatory and racist epithets about Pakistani, Arab and Muslim people are heard throughout. Other strong language includes “b—–d,” “s—” and “f—.” Characters drink alcohol, smoke and discuss sex, and people are subjected to online threats. The James Bond franchise is central to the plot, as are digital platforms such as Google and Instagram. (Six episodes)
Available on Prime Video.
Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.
The post What parents need to know about ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and more appeared first on Washington Post.
