Not suitable under 8; parental guidance to 13 (scary scenes)
This topic contains:
Children under 8 | Not recommended due to scary scenes |
Children 8 -12 | Parental guidance recommended due to scary scenes |
Children 13 and over | OK for this age group |
This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and the associated consumer advice lines. Other classification advice (OC) is provided where the Australian film classification is not available.
Name of movie: | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
Classification: | PG |
Consumer advice lines: | Mild threatening scenes |
Length: | 115 minutes |
This review of the movie contains the following information:
The reclusive Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp), inventor of the world’s best selling chocolates and candies, has decided to open up his factory after more than fifteen years. He has hidden five golden tickets under the wrappers of ordinary chocolate bars and has issued a decree that whoever finds a golden ticket will win a tour of his factory, a life-time supply of chocolate and possibly a surprise beyond their wildest dreams.
The first ticket is partially eaten by Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz), the second is taken by spoiled-little-rich-girl Veruca Salt (Julia Winter), the third by champion-gum-chewer Violet Beauregarde (Annasophia Robb), the fourth by television addict Mike Teavee (Jordan Fry), while the fifth golden ticket remains elusive up until the day before the tour.
Charlie (Freddie Highmore) lives with his impoverished family in a dilapidated shack not far from the Wonka factory and has always dreamed of meeting Mr. Wonka. However there appears to be little chance of that until Charlie finds some money, buys a bar of chocolate and chances on the last remaining ticket. With Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) at his side Charlie joins the small group preparing for the tour of a lifetime.
As the group wends its way through the factory, greed, heedlessness, desire and vanity take control of the children causing them to reveal their true natures. The only one unaffected is Charlie, whose virtuous conduct wins him a prize beyond anything he could ever have imagined.
Children and adolescents may react adversely at different ages to themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters and racism. Occasionally reviews may also signal themes that some parents may simply wish to know about.
Greed; vanity; separation from parents
Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, successful, has few real life consequences, is set in a comic context and / or is mostly perpetrated by male characters with female victims, or by one race against another.
Repeated exposure to violent content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution. Repeated exposure also increases the risks that children will become desensitised to the use of violence in real life or develop an exaggerated view about the prevalence and likelihood of violence in their own world.
There is a fair amount of violence contained in this film, including:
Children under five are most likely to be frightened by scary visual images, such as monsters, physical transformations.
There are a number of scenes that would frighten younger viewers, including:
Children aged five to eight will also be frightened by scary visual images and will also be disturbed by depictions of the death of a parent, a child abandoned or separated from parents, children or animals being hurt or threatened and / or natural disasters.
Children in this age group may also be scared by the above-mentioned scenes
Children aged eight to thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic threats and dangers, violence or threat of violence and / or stories in which children are hurt or threatened.
Some children between the ages of eight to thirteen could be disturbed by some of the above-mentioned scenes.
Children over the age of thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic physical harm or threats, molestation or sexual assault and / or threats from aliens or the occult.
Nothing of concern
Nestlé’s ‘Wonka Bars’ are mass promoted in this film and are being marketed heavily in association with this movie. Parents should be aware that the company is using marketing strategies from the film to better sell their products and that the entire film encourages the consumption of chocolates, candy, chewing gum, ice-cream and a mass of other sweets.
Nothing of concern
Nothing of concern
Nothing of concern
While there is no coarse language in the film, there is a fair amount of name-calling. The various children are at different stages referred to as nincompoops, brats, jerks and idiots. Mike repeatedly refers to Wonka as an idiot.
There are many messages hidden in this film, firstly that you should be true to your heart and follow your dream, wherever it may lead, secondly that good things come to those most deserving and finally that there is no underestimating the importance of family.
With a host of schools, media and various corporations encouraging healthy eating, attitudes and lifestyles, parents may wish to discuss the importance of making healthy eating choices with their children.
Tip: Leave out the first A, An or The
Selecting an age will provide a list of movies with content suitable for this age group. Children may also enjoy movies selected via a lower age.
Content is age appropriate for children this age
Some content may not be appropriate for children this age. Parental guidance recommended
Content is not age appropriate for children this age
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