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Entertainment Media Analysis Report
A service to our youth through you,
their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word


MAR22086
The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002), PG-13
Analysis Date: August 20, 2002
CAP Score: 27
CAP Influence Density: 1.84

MinMax: -59





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NOTE: If you do not want the plot, ending, or "secrets" of a movie spoiled for you, skip the Summary/Commentary. In any case, be sure to visit the Findings/Scoring section -- it is completely objective to His Word and is the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model applied to this movie.






SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:


If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary likely using a mix of KJV and NIV.


THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH (PG-13) -- *Pluto Nash* is an example of Movie A.

Production: Castle Rock Entertainment in association with Village Roadshow Productions and NPV Entertainment
Distribution: Warner Bros.
Director(s): Ron Underwood
Producer(s): Bruce Berman, Cami Bourquin, Martin Bregman, Michael Scott Bregman, Frank Capra, Michael Klawitter, Louis A. Stroller
Written by/Screenplay: Neil Cuthbert
Cinematography/Camera: Oliver Wood
Music: John Powell
Film Editing: Alan Heim, Paul Hirsch
Casting: Mary Colquhoun
Production Design: Bill Brzeski
Art Direction: Gilles Aird, Jason Weil


WOW! Talk about R-13! Many R-rated films do not get as low a CAP final score as The Adventuress of Pluto Nash. All because of rampant use of "lesser" issues of ignominy instead of the fewer but much more bold issues typical of R-rated films. You have probably read this before and will probably see it again, but the PG-13 Nash was a perfect example of the use of tons of examples of aberrant behavior of the lesser offense kind instead of using fewer but more harsh examples of aberrant behavior to get the same "effect." Consider Movie A presents 100 issues of aberrant behavior but because each is not bold or harsh it gets a PG-13 rating. Now let each of the aberrant behavior examples in Movie A be worth 10 "bads" each. However, Movie B rated R presents only 10 issues of aberrant behavior but of the bold and harsh kind, each worth 100 "bads" each. The "effect" is the same - 1000 "bads." Pluto Nash is an example of Movie A.

Eddie Murphy is Pluto Nash, an ex-con owner of a night club on the moon. I guess Nash is the owner. Criminal element Morgan (Joe Pantoliano) wants the club for its value to the night club empire Morgan is building. The previous owner, Tony Francis (Jay Mohr) who has used many names was deep in debt to Morgan so Morgan tries to kill Francis by pouring battery acid down Francis' throat [Gal. 5:21]. In steps Nash, all cool and suave. Having been friends with a friend of Morgan's while in prison, Nash gains the life of Francis with a promise to rebuild Francis' rotted and collapsing club.

Seven years later, Nash has a booming business and so does Francis. Now Morgan wants Nash's club. It is a tale of "If I can't have it, no one can." When Nash repeatedly refuses even Morgan's threats to sell, Morgan trashes Nash's club with explosives [Luke 3:12 - 14]. In the middle of prosperity, when Nash was on easy street, enters crooning beauty, Dina Lake (Rosario Dawson) who can't get up the price of a ride back to Earth. Begging Nash for a job, Murphy exhibits some of his diversity and coldly rejects her request to sing in his club just to get the price of a ticket back to Earth. Broken and sobbing, Dina starts to walk out. At this point one could see Murphy's genius since one could almost see Nash's heart melt. He gives Dina a job waiting tables. But it wasn't long before the tables were blown up. Nash, Dina, Nash's manservant robot, Bruno (Randy Quaid in a delightful role) all launch a campaign with the help of retired moon cop, Rowland ,(Peter Boyle) and even mom, Flura Nash (Pam Grier) to find the bad guys and get even. Even John Cleese performs as stolen car computer interface, James.

I am not going to spend a lot of time on the storyline. This report is already a week late (it's August 24 now) and most of you come to hear about the truth of the content the MPAA and the advertisers won't or can't tell anyway. So let me get right to that.

Fifty-one uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary. Seven uses of God's name in vain, once with the four letter expletive and six without. At least five murders by gunfire and many attempted murders by gunfire and explosion [Prov. 28:17]. Several gun battles. Much sexual "humor" such as a French maid looking robot in a very short dress whose only purpose was squeaking "Ooops" as she dropped something then turning around to bend over to pick it up. Genital "humor." [Eph. 5:4] Sex talk, comments and innuendo. More, which I will leave to the listing in the Findings/Scoring section [Isa. 32:5 - 6].


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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

  • Gal. 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Luke 3:12-14 Then came also publicans [tax collectors] to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man [do not extort], neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
  • Prov. 28:17 A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him.
  • Eph. 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
  • Isa. 32:5 - 6 (A king shall reign and [32:1] ...) No longer will the fool [the vile and vulgar] be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

    *******Food for Daily Thought*******
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (NIV) Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
  • Jude 4 For certain men* whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto [or for] one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto [or for] me.
  • Luke 17:2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. [cause by teaching or example]
  • Ps. 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.


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    As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.
  • FINDINGS / SCORING:


    The Adventures of Pluto Nash (YEAR) CAP Thermometers



    Wanton Violence/Crime (W):
  • firearm threats, many, once to the head
  • threats of murder with battery acid
  • strong-arming
  • attempted murder by explosion, multiple
  • attempted murder by gunfire, many
  • attempted murder by choking
  • gun battles
  • extortion
  • entrapment
  • impersonating a police officer
  • car theft
  • threat with life to perform
  • vehicular assault
  • action violence
  • admission of murders
  • fighting
  • death by great fall

    Impudence/Hate (I)(1):
  • 51 uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary
  • congratulating divorce

    Sex/Homosexuality (S):
  • excessive cleavage
  • dressing to maximize the female form and/or skin exposure
  • sexual comments, talk, innuendo
  • neon nudity
  • adults in underwear
  • crude talk
  • anatomical references
  • suggestive eye movement
  • sexual suggestions, multiple
  • vulgar gesture
  • genital humor
  • offers of sexual favor
  • much rear female nudity
  • bending over "humor"

    Drugs/Alcohol (D):
  • smoking
  • drinking

    Offense to God (O)(2):
  • mockery of religion
  • reincarnation as routine
  • one use of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive and six without

    Murder/Suicide (M)(3):
  • gunfire murders, five



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    NOTE: The CAP Analysis Model makes no scoring allowances for trumped-up "messages" to excuse or for manufacturing of justification for aberrant behavior or imagery, or for camouflaging such ignominy with "redeeming" programming. Disguising sinful behavior in a theme plot does not excuse the sinful behavior of either the one who is drawing pleasure or example from the sinful display or the practitioners demonstrating the sinful behavior. This is NOT a movie review service. It is a movie analysis service to parents and grandparents to tell them the truth about movies using the Truth.


    "There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our nearly seven years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.





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    (1) As noted in CAP Special Report-001, "Investigation Area and Scoring Trend," of the six CAP Investigation Areas, Impudence/Hate was the strongest presence in all four movie classifications. It has a strong revelation about the entertainment media.

    (2) The use of the three/four letter word vocabulary without God's name in vain is incorporated into the Impudence/Hate Investigation Area. The use of God's name with or without the four letter expletive is incorporated into the Offense to God Investigation Area. There is no duplication.

    (3) Only portrayal of successful murder or suicide are incorporated into Murder/Suicide. Portrayal of attempts to commit murder or suicide and deaths by police action or war are incorporated into Wanton Violence/Crime.





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