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A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR25048  (2005), PG [PG*] (1hr 26min) The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. Nearly 1000 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(This section may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Distribution (US): Dimension Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment Director(s): Robert Rodriguez Producer(s): Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan Story: Racer Rodriguez Written by: Robert Rodriguez Cinematography/Camera: Robert Rodriguez Music: John Debney, Graeme Revell, Robert Rodriguez Film Editing: Robert Rodriguez Casting: Mary Vernieu Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl is a somewhat enjoyable adventure of a real boy Max (Cayden Boyd), two make-believe friends, Shark Boy (Rebel Rodriguez, Racer Rodriguez, Taylor Lautner) and Lava Girl (Taylor Dooley) and a far, far away planet of dreams called Drool. Shark Boy and Lava Girl need Max to help save Planet Drool from the approaching life-wide darkness. This film is somewhat violent and child-against-adult/parent oriented but it did earn a final score equivalent to PG movies in the comparative baseline database. It does seem this film is a carbon Copy of Spy Kids with a little styling after The Never Ending Story where Atreyu saves the world of make-believe from the "nothingness" which threatens to engulf all existence. Max was tormented and bullied by Linus (Jacob Davich) who was nicknamed "Minus" by the teacher. Mr. Electricidad (George Lopez, also playing Mr. Electric, Tobor, Ice and Guardian) because of all the negative marks Linus got for being a bully. Max kept a journal of his dreams. Every one of them. One in particular was of Shark boy and Lava Girl. Shark Boy was raised by sharks and developed fins and gills ... and teeth. Lava Girl has hot pink hair and can throw lava from her hands. Shark Boy and Lava Girl live on the planet Drool where kids could ride on the Train of Thought to the Land of Milk and Cookies. Life on Planet Drool is dream-like ... until recently. Planet Drool has fallen under the tyranny of Mr. Electric and Minus. Planet Drool is now a place of approaching darkness. What Max and the Spy Kids, err, Shark Boy and Lava Girl were doing on planet Drool was hard to tell. I gather Max had to come up with some powerful dreams to protect dreams from the approaching darkness. Maybe Rodriguez's' intent was to project a message of letting kids be kids: to stop stealing childhood from children which so many of today's movies do so well. Like clocks, kids need to be allowed to run. Likewise kids need to be allowed to dream. Our job is to help guide those dreams. About the child-against-adult/parent orientation in the leading paragraph. While this may be a fantasy film, a bad influence does not have to be real to influence badly. Influencing children to behave or believe/think badly is not part of allowing kids to be kids. God said that bad company (such as negative influences in and as entertainment) will corrupt good character [1 Cor. 15:33]. Such behavior examples in and as entertainment WILL plant behavioral and/or thought templates whether visibly acted upon or not. Kids are not stupid. They pick up on these things. It is up to you whether you want your kids exposed to such influence. We just tell you about it. Other matters such as crude humor and kids using the three/four letter word vocabulary (once), placing the father/parent in a role subordinate role to the child, however humorous or seemingly slight, and the portrayal of parents as evil giants each join in the "bad company" influences. Maybe such ego-boosting programming in and as entertainment might seem to boost a child's self esteem but it does nothing for his/her self respect. Contemporarily speaking, self esteem is the temporary and often empty feelings of self worth which may be given, such as getting a passing grade just for showing up in class. Self esteem can be lost quickly and easily by, for example, failing another class. But as revealed by standing the test of time, self respect is that which is built by earning the grade by hard work. Self respect cannot be taken away or easily lost. The most pervasive property in this film was the violence. For example. rather invasive action violence, the "death" of two friends, a great fall pursuit to harm causing harm and bullying. The Wanton Violence/Crime investigation area found programming to warrant an area score of 42 out of 100 which is equivalent to a few R-rated movies, not so much in intensity as much as in sheer numbers of issues of violence. [Prov. 16:29, Ps. 7:16, Prov. 10:23] At an area score of 53 out of 100, Impudence/Hate was the next lowest score due mainly to crude humor. [Eph. 5:4, Exod. 20:12] All other investigation areas (Sexual Immorality, Drugs/Alcohol, Offense to God, Murder Suicide) earned area scores easily equivalent to scores earned by G-rated films. Each of Sexual Immorality, Drugs/Alcohol and Murder/Suicide earned the highest possible score of 100 out of 100. Offense to God was penalized by the use of the child calling another a "fool." Jesus does not like that. [Matt. 5:22] SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. 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. CHAPTER/VERSE ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** 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. |
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(The heart of the CAP Analysis Model)  Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
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| 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 more than eight 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. |
| In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder President ChildCare Action Project (CAP): Christian Analysis of American Culture 100% dependent on your tax-deductible financial support |  |
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