Is the new Marvel Captain America film ok for kids? Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parent guide to the Captain America sequel film.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review | Safe for Kids?
Confession, I was counting down the minutes to see this one. Chris Evans in all of his glory for me to watch. I know, not so family-focused. But hey, a mommy can dream 🙂 The comic book hype is back with the new Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in theaters today April 4, 2014!
But is Captain America: The Winter Soldier safe for kids? Let’s break down that PG-13 rating for parents.
The Story
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off assailants sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
There’s usually big letdowns associated with sequels. Who wants to spoil the action in the first Captain America film? But in all seriousness, this one was NOT one of those. The action was amped up at least by 10 for this film. And with lots of action comes lots of amazing fight sequences, graphics and effects.
That PG-13 Rating
Is Captain America: The Winter Solider safe for kids? As we all know, not every Marvel release is the same. And with Marvel pushing the envelope on TV-14 and PG-13 ratings these days (remember an almost TV-MA rated Werewolf By Night special presentation, an overly adult themed She-Hulk series or the shocking horror Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness film?), some say that kids are no longer welcome to the Marvel super hero party. Is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania too scary for kids? Or is this more of the Marvel predictable age rating like the original Ant-Man films that parents and kids love?
Why is Captain America: The Winter Soldier rated PG-13? In this Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, Marvel’s Captain America 2 film sequel is rated PG-13 for “gunplay, action, intense sequences of violence.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Captain America: The Winter Soldier is kid friendly. Is Captain America: The Winter Soldier too scary for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this Captain America: The Winter Soldier parents guide.
Violence. There’s lots of human violence in this one, as with many bloody sequences, use of weapons (such as guns) and scary fighting that would not be appropriate for little ones.
Adult themes. Pretty mild for Captain America. One small kissing scene and drinking of champagne. Otherwise, pretty mild for Marvel.
Language. Mild when compared to Avengers or Iron Man, mostly because the swear words are muffled in between action sequences and loud noises. Multiple uses of “sh!t.”
What Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie age rating is recommended?
At a runtime of 2 hours 16 minutes, this Marvel super hero live action sequel film is on the long side for kids watch time. Add in intense, realistic violence (human versus human), some language, and lots of gun usage, this Marvel film is one of the more intense movies of the collection. Children sensitive to violence should be considered.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is rated PG-13 for “gunplay, action, intense sequences of violence” by the MPAA.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is most comparable to the “stiff” or “straight-laced” Marvel films. Not quite as humorous/sarcastic as the Iron Man series or Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a little darker, more in the realm of Black Widow.
Based on my Captain America: The Winter Soldier parents guide, PG-13 rating breakdown and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Marvel’s Captain America 2 film to kids younger than the age of 12-13 years old.
Considering the full PG-13 rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Marvel’s Captain American 2 sequel film to kids younger than the age of 12-13 years old.
There are 2 end credit scenes.
The Overall
Recovery for me came quickly as I focused in on Chris Evans. The All-American did not disappoint. Delving deeper into his past, his emotions and his personal struggles, you realize that Captain America is more than a good man and super hero. He really poses as a great role model for all men. I’d have to watch again to confirm, but I love that Captain America only uses his hands and shield in the fight sequences, and more for defense than really attacking folks. Shows his true character and desire to protect and serve.
The plot came fast and furious and those with a knowledgeable comic book background will not be disappointed. You’ll find some crossovers between the Avengers and Captain America characters. Falcon was definitely one of my favorite new characters as well as some surprising moments with Black Widow and Nick Fury.
Definitely don’t want to spoil anything, but you will see the reveal of who The Winter Soldier is, and they’ve already planned for the next sequel to release in 2016. Be sure to stay until the VERY end. There’s 2 end credit scenes and one had EVERYONE in the audience clapping 🙂
Captain America: The Winter Solider is in theaters starting today!! Did you see it? What did you think?
Looking for more parent movie reviews like Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Check out these popular ones:
I was invited to attend a press screening of this film in exchange for this Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Review | Safe for Kids? post. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more Marvel movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Leave a Reply