Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart is a dark, steampunk-style animated musical that's best for tweens and up, like Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. Originally a French production that's been dubbed in English, the imaginative tale has some mature elements, particularly the dark and violent tone, schoolyard bullying that ends in an eye being stabbed, and the main character's encounter with Jack the Ripper (with an ensuing frightening song about slicing up beautiful women). A love story is central to the movie, and the teen romance gets pretty intense, leading to songs about hearts ablaze and a climactic kissing scene. And adults smoke cigarettes and tell suggestive jokes that will go over kids' head. Bottom line? This is best for older kids who are ready for more sophisticated animated movies.
Sexual
Content
A couple of intense kisses and romantic songs, as well as a few very suggestive jokes that will go over kids' head -- like when a woman says her friend died saying "giddy giddy giddy up, ride 'em cowboy," and her friend says "libido killed the cowboy."
Violence
Jack nearly dies at birth because his heart freezes. His birth mother abandons him as a newborn. Joe regularly bullies Jack (and everyone else) at school, crushing anyone who threatens his authority. Joe pushes and prods and slaps Jack, crushes eggs on him, winds him up, calls him "Big Ben," plays with his heart, and threatens to pulverize it. One day as Joe is trying to choke Jack, Jack's cuckoo escapes and stabs Joe's eye out. On a train, Jack encounters Jack the Ripper, who sings a really scary song about slicing and dicing blondes and brunettes and all "sublime women." Jack the Ripper throws a knife at Jack.
Language
Insult language like "runt" and "Big Ben."
Social
Behavior
Melies encourages Jack not to spend his life worrying about getting hurt, because a certain amount of recklessness is needed for a joyous life. Jack decides that love is worth the risk of his heart giving out. The idea that your differences are your strengths is an excellent reminder to value what makes us each unique.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
A couple of adults smoke cigarettes.
