Captain America

1 Comment Posted on movie reviews, parenting

Boys And Their Superheroes (Like Captain America, For Example)

April 5, 2014 at 12:50 am , by 

3 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

A few hours ago I was able to be among the first to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

As I was getting ready to leave after dinner, you sincerely asked, “Hey Daddy, can I go with you tonight to see Captain America?”

I wish I could have said yes…

But while you were definitely ready for The Lego Movie, I think Captain America is a bit much for a 3 year-old.

Again, I really wish you could have gone with me tonight. Let’s give it a few more years…

So I guess one of the reasons I write these daily letters to you is so that you can actually know your dad.

I don’t want to be a mysterious man to you.

With that being said, you need to know that Captain America is my favorite comic book character.

He was actually the first comic book action figure I ever had. That’s right- in that picture you’re holding an original 1984 Captain America from your daddy’s childhood.

I was three years old when that toy was made… you just happen to be three years old right now, as well.

Why do boys like superheroes so much, anyway? I’m sure there have been great books written and documentaries made regarding this very topic.

For me, I would say there is a subtle, understood message that boys (and men) have an alter ego in mind to help motivate them. They are looking for opportunities to be heroes in their world.

I’ve mentioned before that one of my roles in this life is that I am a reluctant leader. I think it’s interesting that many superheroes start out as average size, like me.

At 5’9″ and 142 pounds, I am clearly the epitome of what a superhero should look likebefore he gets his super powers.

But then, something awesome happens and the character in the story becomes larger than life and saves the day.

Personally, Captain America is my favorite because while he’s a bit old-fashioned, he truly cares most about doing what is right; particularly in regards to defending the freedom of America.

That’s why I loved Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

He realizes that the particular government agency he works for is so good at policing the world, that they actually become a threat to the liberty of the American people… in a 1984, Big Brother kind of way.

And Captain America doesn’t like that, so he rounds up enough people to do something about it.

In other words, it’s pretty much the most Libertarian movie I’ve ever seen; definitely more so than The Lego Movie or Ghostbusters.

Here in a few years, you will be getting old enough to enjoy watching comic book superhero movies with me.

I so look forward to that. And Star Wars too.

We are wired to be the underdogs that save the day; even if it’s just Mommy’s day instead of the entire world’s.

Boys and their super heroes. I totally get it. We’re going to have a great time in a few years with this stuff. But I’m not rushing you.

You’re three years old. Right now, I want you to enjoy the benefits of not being age appropriate to see a PG-13 rated movie.

 

Love,

Daddy

 

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X-Men: Days Of Future Past: Family Friendly Movie Review

This past weekend, I went with my friends Dave and Jet to go see X-Men: Days Of Future Past. Today, I want to share my “family friendly movie review” of it.

X-Men: Days Of Future Past movie review

In other words, despite the PG-13 rating, at what age would it truly be okay for you to take your child to see this movie. That’s not a question I can answer for you.

But sort of look at me as a parent friend who is briefly examining the movie for you to decide if it will be a good choice for a child to see- and what age that child should be.

So let’s get started.

Profanity: They use pretty much every word in the book once, including one “f” and one “gd”, as well as an “a-hole.”

Violence: No blood, but several on-screen deaths and constant action throughout.

Sex/Nudity: There is an implied “morning after” scene involving Wolverine and a woman he doesn’t really know after he travels to 1973 and instantly wakes up in bed next to her; not knowing what’s going on. He steps out of bed and looks out the window, while the audience sees his bare butt for a few seconds.

Other than that, there is the fact that Jennifer Lawrence (of The Hunger Games) is wearing the equivalent of a skin-tight, one piece bathing suit for almost the entire time she is on screen- which is a lot of the movie. For what it’s worth, she’s entirely blue because she’s a mutant.

Overall: This is a solid movie; worth paying full price for. Not as awesome as Captain America: The Winter Soldier– that’s definitely the comic book movie to beat for this year… However, the plot, the acting, the production, I feel none of it is lacking.

I will point out that the plot does seem to resemble Inception, which also features Ellen Page. Both movies involve travelling into a person’s subconscious to attempt to change their conscious actions.

But seriously, no complaints!

With that being said, I’m a 33 year-old man. After hearing me describe this much about X-Men: Days Of Future Past, does it sound like the kind of movie you would be okay with your child seeing?

For me, thinking back to my own childhood, I believe that a 12 year-old boy could be mature enough to see this movie. That’s how old I was when Jurassic Park came out and I saw it in the theatre.

Decide for yourself what is best.

Thanks for reading my “family friendly movie review.” I wonder what I will see next?