Parents’ guide to movies
Published 12:00 am Friday, August 5, 2016
- Clay Enos / DC ComicsWill Smith (Deadshot) and Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) star in “Suicide Squad.”
‘SUICIDE SQUAD’
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language.
What it’s about: In a post-superhero world, a secret government task force of bad guys is put together to battle the worst of the meta-humans. They are: the Suicide Squad.
The kid-attractor factor: The comic book origins, colorfully wacko marketing and star power from Will Smith, Margo Robbie and Jared Leto.
Good lessons/bad lessons: There’s more strength in numbers than as a lone wolf; no one is beyond redemption; friends are family.
Violence: There’s quite a lot of violence, but much of it is directed toward inhuman, faceless magic cavalry. Plenty violent, but not necessarily gory.
Language: Some instances of strong language and swearing.
Sexuality: Harley Quinn does some seriously sultry dancing, flashes quite a lot of skin throughout and never met a double entendre she didn’t like. A suggestion of a sexual relationship between June and Rick; kissing.
Drugs: The Joker clearly runs a shady drug-based business.
Parents advisory: This will definitely appeal to teenagers, and they should be able to handle it. But it’s too suggestive and violent for kids, especially with the dark and cynical tone.
‘JASON BOURNE’
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief strong language.
What it’s about: Everyone’s favorite rogue super spy is back and battling the forces at the CIA.
The kid-attractor factor: Teens will be drawn to the action-thriller genre, Matt Damon’s presence and the character of Jason Bourne from the prior Bourne movies.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Technology companies and social media sites are stealing your information and selling it to the government.
Violence: Bourne likes to talk with his fists, and he does a lot of talking, from bare-knuckle brawls to street combat, to gun battles, to motorcycle chases, to a truly destructive car chase in Vegas. This is a very violent and bloody movie.
Language: Only a brief instance of a strong language.
Sexuality: None
Drugs: None
Parents advisory: This one is OK for teens, but is way too violent for kids to see — also they probably won’t follow anything about government policy on digital privacy.