Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Pixels is a sci-fi comedy starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James about a group of misfit, sometimes frankly creepy video game lovers who end up fending off an alien attack (in the form of giant classic video game characters). As per usual, Sandler plays an immature man/boy, this time one who never got over losing a video game championship as a kid in the '80s and now gets to redeem himself. There's explosive, destructive action violence -- Pac-Man eats his way through New York City, Centipede takes on Navy SEALs, a smurf gets shot with a laser and killed -- as well as fighting, weapons, and some fairly raunchy (and sometimes offensive) humor. Sexual innuendo includes talk of a three-way (though nothing is shown), and one character slaps others' butts. There's also a fair bit of social drinking by adults and some aggressive yelling and swearing, including "bitch," "sluts," and "s--tballs." Fans of Sandler, James, and gaming may find this Chris Columbus-directed movie somewhat entertaining, but it's not for little kids.

Sexual Content

A young gamer is accompanied by two crop-top wearing women. A buxom video warrior, Lady Lisa, comes to life and makes out with Ludlow. Talk about a three-way featuring famous women. Ludlow slaps some Navy SEALs on the butt. Violet and Sam flirt throughout the movie and make out at the end.

Violence

Some violence within video games, but mostly it's loud, explosive action violence against video game characters like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Centipede. The Taj Mahal is destroyed in a pixel attack. Buildings explode, collapsing like a Tetris game. Battle between the gamers -- who use big laser guns -- and video game characters. A smurf, along with many other video game characters, is shot and killed (pixelated). Lady Lisa is destroyed but comes back to life. Lots of aggressive yelling. Characters are pixelated and taken into a spaceship. Ludlow gets thrown out of a van after hiding in it in an attempt to drug and kidnap Sam.

Language

Language includes "sluts," "bitch," and "s--tballs." Talk of blowing pixels to hell.

Social Behavior

The ongoing message is that nerds are really heroes, and friends stay loyal to each other no matter what. But there are also derisive jokes and people who behave in very iffy ways.

Consumerism

In addition to all of the well-known video game characters that appear throughout the movie (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, etc.), Mini Coopers and Sony products are prominent. Also Crystal Head Vodka.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Frequent social drinking by adults in bars and at parties. Violet drinks wine out of a sippy cup, and Sam drinks from the bottle. The president drinks beer from a pitcher. Violet and Sam talk about doing shots. The president and Sam drink in a bar. One character plans to kidnap another and has a bottle of chloroform handy to do it.