Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this mostly live-action movie has many dark, scary sequences that might be disturbing for the very young or those who have trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality. It isn't simply the animated creature jeopardy (monsters, serpents, beasts), but there are shrouded, ghoulish humans as well, and a mystery that is less suspenseful than confusing. The film's "comedy" involves a character who uses insults like "How gay is that?," "She has lesbian delusions," and "fetus town." The romance, despite the murky circumstances that surround it, is sweet; the princess has all the attributes of royalty: kindness, beauty, intelligence, and courage. It's an odd mix of elements -- a princess, danger, myths, and grown-up sexual insults.
Sexual
Content
A few gentle, loving kisses.
Violence
Lots of scary action sequences that blend live-action with very shoddy special effects -- more unsettling than the usual fairy tale animated conflict . Mythical monsters (a huge ghoulish squid, a hooded skeletal fiend with bared teeth) are introduced in shadowy scenes of suspense and attack. The hero is in jeopardy several times -- once for a lengthy period in the clutches of the multi-tentacled squid, another time being choked by a serpent. There's spooky music, dark dream sequences, and many mysterious characters and events that are not explained until late in the movie.
Language
One "damn" and lots of insensitive insults: "freak," "deranged," "idiot." Some disparaging sexual remarks: "How gay is that?" and "She has lesbian delusions." A father-to-be makes a misguided joke about his very pregnant wife: "Horrible things happen to your body while you're pregnant." The same character talks derogatorily about "virgin princesses," "fetus-ville," and "hickeys."
Social
Behavior
Overall, the movie has a positive theme about finding your true self and believing in love.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Two men are shown drinking beer from a bottle several times. A couple drinks wine at dinner, and the hero offers champagne to the princess. These characters are all over 21 years old.