2008 Summer Family Movie Guide
The summer movie calendar has become so packed with action fare that it’s become harder for child-friendly films to squeeze into the mix. Nevertheless, summer 2008 brings us nine films that should be suitable for the whole family (although they’re not guaranteed to be enjoyed by all members.) Keep reading the summer family movie guide for the scoop on this year’s crop of films.
Speed Racer – May 9
The Wachowski brothers take all the tricks they learned while making the Matrix series and use them in a family film. It’s an update on the 1960s anime classic, now performed in thrilling live action. It’s rated PG, so some sequences may be too intense for the youngest of the bunch, but it should provide lots of fun for older children and adults alike.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – May 16
The children of the first film return for the next in the legendary book series by C.S. Lewis. This film is set in Narnia 1,300 years after the first film, but only one year later in human time. Prince Caspian calls upon the children to help restore his place on the throne. It’s also rated PG, so some sequences may be too intense for young children.
Kung Fu Panda – June 6
The first animated movie of the season comes to us from DreamWorks Animation. In the grand tradition of animated movies, this one features animals who are Kung Fu masters. According to a prophecy, Po, voiced by Jack Black, is the chosen one who will overthrow the evil warrior. This one is also rated PG, due to the martial arts sequences, but it should be suitable for most children.
Wall-E – June 27
The second animated movie of the season is a Pixar/Disney release that carries a message about rampant consumerism. It’s set in a future earth covered in trash. WALL-E is a little robot charged with cleaning the plant, who falls in love with another robot named EVE. The film has little dialogue, and very few human voices. It’s the first movie with a G rating this summer, so it should be fun for everyone.
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl – July 2
Abigail Breslin, of Little Miss Sunshine and Nim’s Island, plays the starring role in the film version of a story from the American Girl series. Set in the Great Depression, Kit and her friends set out to save her family from losing their home and solving a crime wave. It’s rated G.
Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D – July 11
This update on the Jules Verne classic stars Brendan Fraser as a scientist who takes his nephew to Iceland, where they discover a way to travel through the layers of the earth. They encounter numerous unusual creatures and perform daring feats. Due to the intense action, it’s rated PG, but should be good for older children and their parents.
Space Chimps – July 18
This animated film about a set of circus monkeys sent into space to save a different world should please the kids, if not their parents. It’s not rated as of this writing, but will likely be rated G or PG.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 – August 8
The sequel to the first film is centered around the plot of the fourth book in the series. The stars are now college students, separated geographically, and struggling to keep their sisterhood alive. It’s rated PG-13 for some sexual situations and mature material.
Fly Me to the Moon – August 22
This is the first animated film to be solely designed and released in 3D. It stars a fly named Nat who travels to the moon with Neil Armstrong. Meanwhile, several flies back on earth strive to prevent evil Russian flies from dooming the mission. It’s rated G.
