Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that 180 Degrees South is an eco-adventure documentary that works fine for tweens but will probably be a bigger hit with high-minded high schoolers harboring a serious case of wanderlust. For some viewers the eco-message will seem a little heavy handed (especially when omnipresent modern wastefulness is the subject), but a look at the impact of dams on rivers and what local Chileans are working toward may even inspire the non-activist. Of course there's a big geography lesson to be gained on this 10,000-mile trek so get your world map ready. Amidst the learning expect a light sprinkling of swear words and a couple tense travel scenes: a broken mast and a dangerous climb.

Sexual Content

Not applicable.

Violence

A ship mast breaks in the middle of nowhere and is barely recovered by the crew. A climb over loose rocks appears too dangerous.

Language

Each of these is uttered once: "s--t," "bulls--t," "son of a bitch," and "crap." "A--hole" is used a few times in one discussion.

Social Behavior

Many pithy quotes throughout for thoughtful travelers and environmentalists. Here are a few: "The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn't even think to ask." "Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all." "Adventure is when everything goes wrong -- that's when the adventure starts." "If you love a place you have a duty to protect it; and to love it you must know it first."

Consumerism

Yvon and Doug are the founders of the sportswear company Patagonia but it's never mentioned and clothing labels aren't visible (though the modest-income climbers seem to be well outfitted). The only real plugs are for environmental causes Sin Represas (Without Dams, sinrepresas.com) and Conservacion Patagonica.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable