FAMILY M VIE
Catering to the tastes of multiple age groups? Check out the summer releases to see which will best suit your gang
With a long hot summer now upon us, the cinema will often prove the coolest place to be.
But how to best choose from the many family-friendly titles on offer, when you must cater to the tastes and whims of multiple age groups?
Don’t panic. This guide will break down for you which movies best fit the bill for every discerning young viewer in your entourage.
AQUAMAN & THE LOST KINGDOM (PG, 124 min)
Jason Momoa, Wilson
Superhero adventure. Aquaman’s longtime enemy Black Manta re-emerges to avenge his father’s death. To defeat him, Aquaman must turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis.
You’re not doing your kids a favour letting ’em anywhere near this bloated, dull and below-par blockbuster. It’s far too violent for primary schoolers (who will also find the long running time challenging), and falls far short of what everyone loved about the original. Poor value all round. There are much better options to be seen elsewhere.
Under 5yo 5yo - 8yo: 9yo - 12yo: 13yo+:
Patrick
TROLLS BAND TOGETHER (G, 91 min)
Voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
Animated action comedy. Poppy discovers that her great pal Branch was once part of the boy band BroZone with his brothers Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay.
The third movie outing for the Trolls (imagine the Smurfs, but in a wider range of colours, and with more musical talent) is undoubtedly the best of the series so far. Sure, it didn’t have to beat much. However, for young children who love bright hues, catchy songs and wacky jokes, this will be their Oppenheimer.
Under 5yo: 5yo – 8yo: 9yo – 12yo: 13yo+:
WONKA (PG, 115 min)
Timothee Chalamet, Olivia Colman
Musical adventure. With dreams of opening his first ever shop, the young and poor aspiring confectioner Willy Wonka discovers that the lolly business is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.
Consider this the safest bet for entertaining kids of all ages (your inner child included) this summer. The makers of those exquisite Paddington movies continue their great work here, with dazzling creative flair, winningly whimsical good humour, and insanely catchy songs that kids will want to hear over and over again. The must-see family flick of the season.
Under 5yo: 5yo – 8yo: 9yo – 12yo: 13yo+ :
THE BOY AND THE HERON (PG, 125 min)
Voices of Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson Animated fantasy. A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. Things have been the Studio Ghibli quiet on