Swiss Family Robinson
Recommended. Age: 8+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
A family's ship crashes near an island with no people on it. Father, Mother and three brothers build a giant treehouse and learn to live there. Then pirates come, and the family has to defend their home. It is a fun adventure with some scary animals and a big battle. A father, a mother and three sons stay together, work hard and are thankful for what they have. The book's strong piety is cut down to one silent prayer on the beach, so the faith is a glimpse and no more. The pirates are Asian stereotypes, and the final battle is long, though bloodless.
For parents
G, and Common Sense Media says eight and up. Greydanus at Decent Films says Kids & Up. Things to frame: the pirates are drawn as Asian stereotypes, so say plainly that this is a dated caricature. In the battle pirates are shot, caught in traps, hit by rocks and logs and pushed off a cliff, with no blood shown. A tiger, a snake and sharks threaten the family. The two older brothers compete for the same girl, and there is some teen kissing. The family drinks wine at dinner, and the youngest boy gets a sip. Ask: the family prays once on the beach. What would you thank God for after a shipwreck? Why do the brothers fight, and how do they mend it? What did the family learn to be grateful for?