Is Strange World for kids? Is Disney’s Strange World movie OK for children? Read the Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated film starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade and Dennis Quaid as Jaeger. No spoilers! #StrangeWorld May contain commissioned links.
Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Wreck-It Ralph. Frozen. Big Hero 6. Zootopia. Moana. Ralph Breaks the Internet. Frozen 2. Raya and the Last Dragon. Encanto. What do all of these Disney movies have in common?
There’s no denying that Walt Disney Animation Studios has had a run of 9 hugely successful animated releases, and that’s just over the past 8 years. And with this kind of entertainment momentum (and a pandemic theme song that won’t leave any parent’s brain anytime soon), now we enter a strange new world and finally a fresh, original storyline with Disney’s Strange World, just in time to celebrate the 100th year anniversary.
In this Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new Disney Strange World parents guide to the new Disney animated film. A no-spoiler parent review of Disney’s Strange World, are families about to go Into the Unknown or are we in for another We Don’t Talk About Bruno?
Is Strange World the original new Disney film that we’ve been waiting for? More importantly, how does Disney’s Strange World stack up to some of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ best work as we celebrate 100 years of movie legacy?
The Visuals
Once again, Walt Disney Animation Studios wows audiences with brightly colored, fantastical and whimsical visuals, with the creativity and enhanced CGI technology that only Disney animated movies can display. Combining the fantasy and sci-fi worlds of Ant-Man’s quantum realm meets Guardians of the Galaxy meets Avatar – Disney’s Strange World lends itself a familiar yet radical landscapes that open worlds of possibility – most comparable to Soul, Zootopia, or Wreck-It Ralph.
Photosensitivity warning. Strange World does include high tech CGI animation that includes short sequences of bright flashing lights in some scenes, equivalent to electrocution/lightning effects.
The Story
Exploration spearheaded and directed by Don Hall (“Big Hero 6“) and co-directed by Qui Nguyen (“Raya and the Last Dragon“), Disney’s Strange World has an all-star voice cast including Jake Gyllenhaal (“Spider-Man: Far From Home“) as Searcher Clade, Dennis Quaid (“Frequency“) as Jaeger Clade, Jaboukie Young-White (“Awkwafina is Nora from Queens“) as Ethan Clade, Gabrielle Union (“Bring It On“) as Meridian Clade, and Lucy Liu (“Charlie’s Angels“) as Callisto Mal.
Inspired by classic adventure stories, Disney’s Strange World follows 3 generations of the Clade family as they take on a dangerous and unexpected mission and explore a strange and wondrous world. Joined alongside a motley crew, ravenous creatures and even a mischievous blob, the Clade family must find a way to overcome their differences and come together as a family.
While this action-packed adventure synopsis sounds amazing, this is where the Disney storyline should take off. Unfortunately, this is where muddled themes, familiar tropes (Wall-e vibes, anyone?), and a one-note boring plot are inserted instead. More of a serious tone adventure film without funny punchlines, strong character building, or audience relatability – Strange World truly relies heavily on colorful visuals and solid animation – and less on Disney magic.
While I give credit for unpacking family trauma, highlighting interracial families, strong socially conscious messaging, and character diversity/inclusion efforts, these main issues overshadow the lack of script. I was sad to not feel one heartstring pull or misty-eyed moment. Not a one.
Strange World PG Rating Explained
Is Strange World safe for kids? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all PG ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how movie ratings have shifted over the years with G-rated movies, now history.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, there’s a wide range between the age of 0-12 years old for parents to consider. (Most recently, Hocus Pocus 2 had quite the PG rated controversy on social media.) Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie is family friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why Is Strange World rated PG? In this Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this Walt Disney Animation Studios film is rated PG for “action, peril, some thematic elements.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Disney’s Strange World is kid friendly. Is Disney Strange World for kids? Or is this Disney film too scary? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Strange World parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. Animated violence includes humans using flame thrower-like and gun-like weapons, along with blade-like fighting, creature guts/goo and ripping parts off, and one physically disabled/handicapped pet. Mild peril and one potential jump scare scene, but Strange World is definitely not too scary. Overall, very kid-friendly cartoon-like violence, most comparable to Raya and the Last Dragon.
Language. For the first time in forever, it’s an almost 100% zero language film, as in no swear words, no bad language, no profanity, no curse words to be explored in Strange World. I swear (get the joke?) that I had to double check my notes on this one.
The only 0.0005% phrase is “step out of my a—” that gets cut off before he says “@ss.” Mild insults include “weird,” “horrible,” and 1 “butt” reference – a stretch, even for me. But overall, huge bravo to Disney for coming back to their original family-friendly, kid-friendly roots on this 2022 film.
Adult Themes. However, if you haven’t already heard, there is a notable first theme in Disney’s Strange World that refers to an openly gay teen character. (The first LGBTQ animated Pixar character being in Lightyear.) Making a very clear statement on same sex flirtation, sexual identity, and familial support (with one side hug that could be mistaken for friendship – but no other notable physical touch interactions that would indicate), this theme may not be considered appropriate for some families and kids. Be prepared for possible questions from children who have not been exposed to same sex relationships, especially between teens.
Other adult themes include grief, death, and loss, multiple light kissing scenes between a married heterosexual couple, one scene of men scratching their butts (with clothes on), one scene with inferred “alcohol” consumption, and a couple of pet bathroom gags that include one visual reference and one “peeing” verbal reference.
Strange World Movie Age Rating for Kids
With a Strange World run time of 1 hour 42 minutes, Disney’s newest animated film is right in the sweet spot for kids. But with this movie as an in-theaters only release, the dialogue is a lot heavier, despite it being labeled as “action-packed.” I would be cautious with bringing little ones to Strange World as their “first Disney film,” especially if they are wriggle worms.
But with lots of colorful visuals, strange creatures, and lots of adventure, this mild mannered Disney film may be just what your family is looking for this 2022 holiday season.
Disney’s Strange World is most comparable to Wall-e meets Ant-Man and the Wasp. More of a serious tone adventure film without funny punchlines, strong character building, or audience relatability – Strange World truly relies heavily on colorful visuals and solid animation – and less on Disney magic.
No, Disney’s Strange World has NO end credits scene here. Some mid credit concept art stills that you may want to see, but no reason to stay until the very end of the credits.
This all-new, original Walt Disney Animation Studios film is rated PG for “action, peril, some thematic elements.” With almost ZERO bad language and familiar Disney violence/suspense, the adult themes may or may not be a deal breaker for some families, with the first notable openly gay teen character in a Walt Disney Animation Studios film (along with other potentially offensive adult themes).
Based on my Disney’s Strange World parents guide and mom review above, this Walt Disney Animation Studios release fits with the animated kid movie repertoire. Surprisingly, this is one of the closest potentially G-rated Disney films I’ve seen in awhile. With overall mild violence, no curse words and only mild adult themes, this is a welcome family movie as we enter the 2022 Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Strange World for kids younger than the age of 4-5 years old.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Strange World for kids younger than the age of 4-5 years old. And this is purely for wiggle worm in a movie theater factor. I still recommend parents to prescreen the new Strange World film for mild peril/suspense, along with adult themes that may not align with your family values.
The Overall
For being a strange world, I certainly was in a strange headspace after the credits ended. Somehow, Disney forgot to insert the magic in the 100 year celebration. And painfully, it was felt every minute of this film. Strange World ends up being just ok – which by Disney standards is subpar.
I’m not sure what happened. Maybe it was pandemic/post-pandemic lack of creative inspiration or maybe a new burnout era. But for an all-new, no sequel Disney film that I was actually really looking forward to see on the big screen, I was extremely disappointed. Visually – a beautiful success. There’s no denying the imagination and animation style that is 100% Disney stamped with approval. Good message – also a yes. But for that signature story line and that heartstring pull Disney moment – a letdown.
I haven’t been this underwhelmed with a Disney movie since Pixar’s Good Dinosaur. Specifically, I haven’t been this underwhelmed with Walt Disney Animation Studios since the “Atlantis to Bolt” era. (I’m cringing just saying that.) No amount of action/adventure scenes could ever make up for THE signature Disney story. And without an emotional connection to the characters, Strange World just ends up being…strange. It certainly is a Strange World – surreal, really. I truly hope this movie, which is supposed to be the celebration of 100 years of movie legacy, is not the new standard.
Follow Disney’s Strange World on social media:
- Website: https://movies.disney.com/strange-world
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrangeWorldMovie
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/strangeworld
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangeworld/
- #StrangeWorld
Looking for more parent movie reviews and TV reviews like Disney’s Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Check out these popular posts:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated film, Strange World explores theaters starting on Wednesday November 23, 2022. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen Disney’s Strange World film in exchange for this Strange World Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Leave a Reply