Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this Christmas entry in the popular Beethoven franchise is loaded with farcical comic action (falls, crashes, bumps, a runaway sleigh, lots of chases, and captures involving both dogs and humans). No one is hurt and everyone pops right up from what is usually snow-covered ground. Name brand toys line the shelves in an oft-visited toy store and are featured in numerous scenes. There's some rude language ("idiot," "dumb elf," "get your nose out of your butt") and one lengthy dog farting scene. The over-the-top, silly but not very scary villains will stop at nothing to exploit the Christmas season and separate customers from their cash. The movie includes some serious issues as well: the boy at the center of the story is dealing with the recent death of his father, as well as his mother's adjustment to that death; and the elf who flees from the North Pole is dejected because he feels "different" from the other elves. Both have to come to terms with the events in their lives.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable.
Violence
Lots of cartoon action: pratfalls, chases, objects falling on people, sliding on ice, a runaway sleigh, a loose dog causing havoc in a marketplace. Two farcical villains steal an important object, threaten and capture one of the heroes. They are depicted as greedy, selfish, and, above all, bumbling. A small model of a parade float catches fire, but is put out efficiently by a boy using a fire extinguisher. Though there are lots of crashes, falls, and bumps, no one is ever hurt or in real danger.
Language
Some insults and rude language: "idiot," "dumb," "get your nose out of your butt," "creeps." An extended dog farting sequence.
Social
Behavior
This movie attempts to include positive messages about what's really important in life, generally, and at Christmas time specifically. A mother learns that time at work needs to be balanced with time at home; an elf realizes that being different can be "pretty cool"; a young boy comes to understand that even if you've been hurt in the past, it's still important to love again, and that the best gifts are often not from a store, but involve healing and love. Finally, the plight of homeless animals is shown and support for the ASPCA is recommended throughout the film and in a public service message that starts the DVD.
Consumerism
Branded toys, toys, toys throughout, with lots of scenes played in a toy store. Some featured are: Red Rover Game, Mind-Flex, Barbie, UNO, Stunt 'N Dunk, Kerplunk, Perplexus, Hot Wheels, Daredevil Stunt Set.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Not applicable
