Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that there is frequent swearing in this comedy, though one of the strongest curse words is mainly British slang; American viewers might not even know it's obscene. The plot concerns the fascination kids have for hyper-macho screen violence, and to emulate their favorite movies, kids smoke, fight, and endanger their lives in backyard stunts. One of the kids, a boy from an ultra-conservative Christian family (who doesn't seem to find much enjoyment in his faith) delights in hanging out with his misbehaving, movie-mad schoolmates. Compared to routine Hollywood demonizations of fundamentalists, the religious community isn't made into monsters, but they're still not shown positively. Two boys perform the less-than-sanitary "blood brothers" ritual.

Sexual Content

Some smooching and a school kissing contest is the worst it gets.

Violence

Children beat up on other kids, one time violently, and blood is drawn. Violence, gunfire, and blood in movie clips from Sylvester Stallone pictures. Knockabout stuff as Will does his own dangerous stunts, like falling from trees, being catapulted aloft, and participating in simulated fistfights and ninja battles. A car accident and hospitalization.

Language

"Bastard," "arse," "piss," "s--t," and the uniquely British obscene idiom "bollocks."

Social Behavior

Most of the kids shown here stand out for their misbehavior. Wannabe filmmaker and class troublemaker Lee Carter is like Bart Simpson in a lot of ways, right down to living near the nuclear power plant. Will is a deeply religious boy, but also exceedingly gullible and easily led astray (as though that goes hand-in-hand). Ultimately there is an affirmation of friendship and family, but not religious faith; Will's insular Christian sect is cold, male-dominated, and unappealing.

Consumerism

If kids don't know about (R-rated) Rambo movies before this, they certainly will afterwards.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Underaged smoking and drinking.