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Entertainment Media Analysis Report
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MAR25048

(2005), PG [PG*] (1hr 26min)

Analysis Date
CAP Final Score
CAP Influence Density
MinMax
June 24, 2005
81 out of 100
0.35
-58

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Christian Long Distance

SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(This section may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary.



(2005), PG [PG*] -- About the child-against-adult/parent orientation...


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]


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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

  • Prov. 16:29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
  • Ps. 7:16 The trouble he causes [mischief] recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.
  • Prov. 10:23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
  • Eph. 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
  • Exod. 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
  • Matt. 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment [trial, sentence]: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [senseless, empty headed: a term of reproach among Jews at the time of Christ], shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool [impious, godless], shall be in danger of hell fire.

    ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences to younger and younger audiences every year when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, pay for it, enjoy it, want it].
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
  • Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among you], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*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 were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ["Offend": skandalizo - to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away. "Little ones": mikros - little;, small of age; younger which can include at-home teens].
  • Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [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. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]


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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 heart of the CAP Analysis Model)

    THE ADVENTURES OF SHARK BOY AND LAVA GIRL (2005) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W)
  • storm violence/terror
  • pursuit to do harm causing harm
  • physical threats, once to a child by a child
  • bullying - physical, repeatedly
  • action violence repeatedly, some a little graphic
  • "death" of two friends
  • great fall

    Impudence/Hate (I)
  • portrayal of uncaring parents arguing
  • crude humor, repeatedly
  • tormenting, repeatedly
  • bully tactics
  • placing child in situation parents won't believe, belittling parents
  • wife belittling father before son
  • father in a childlike role
  • lies
  • teacher as idiot
  • parents as evil giants

    Sexual Immorality (S)
  • none noted

    Drugs/Alcohol (D):
  • none noted

    Offense to God (O)
  • calling another a fool
  • dream "magic" throughout

    Murder/Suicide (M)
  • none noted





  • First Impressions and YourSafeChild.com






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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.



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