Argylle (PG-13)

Age 13+

Stylized violence, little blood in fun, twisty spy thriller.

“Argylle” is a lightweight but fun and twisty spy thriller with comic/romantic moments about a novelist (Bryce Dallas Howard) who becomes the target of rival spy organizations when her books start to mirror real life. It’s from the director of the Kingsman movies but is much less graphic than those films. Still, it has lots of scenes of peril, largely bloodless fighting and shooting, attacks with knives and blades, explosions, and a vehicle chase with crashes. A character is tied to a chair and pummeled, another dies by suicide, and a cat is sometimes in danger. There’s brief kissing, mild sex-related dialogue, some sexy dance moves and sporadic profanity. Bottles and glasses of alcohol are seen throughout in clubs, offices, planes and more, but there’s very little actual drinking. Sam Rockwell and Henry Cavill co-star. (139 minutes)

The Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown (PG)

Age 6+

Silly animated adventure sequel has peril, potty humor.

“The Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown” continues the animated franchise about a crew of different species of animals who defend their jungle homeland from various threats. It has plenty of bathroom humor and bodily function jokes, as well as shenanigans that will make early-elementary-school-age viewers laugh. There are two romantic subplots that occasionally include embraces, hand/paw holding and kissing. Characters occasionally use language like “hook up,” “lame,” “pee pee” and the term “girly walk in the park,” which is directed at a female member of the team. There’s some peril related to a mysterious chemical substance coating the jungle’s trees that explodes when it gets wet (in one case, significantly injuring a main character). Characters also get trapped in a cave, and there’s brief martial-arts fighting between the main characters and the villain. Kids unfamiliar with the characters may not understand some of the backstory, but it’s not necessary to watch the previous movies or show to understand the plot. (88 minutes)

Orion and the Dark (TV-Y7)

Age 8+

Child faces fears in book-based fantasy; peril, scares.

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The book-based animated “Orion and the Dark” places an anxiety-ridden child (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) in perilous situations. Orion sketches in a book, and the sketches come alive — including murderous clowns, bugs and bees; cellphone waves; falling from a skyscraper; public humiliation; rejection; someone bullying him at school; and especially the dark. Though they appear to be a figment of his imagination, these scenarios and images could prove intense for very young viewers. The person in the bullying drawing makes appearances outside the sketchbook pages, too: He teases and threatens Orion and appears as a giant in a dreamscape. In Orion’s story, he’s whisked by the dark out of his home and into an adventure that will involve seeing people seemingly smothered or hit to be put to sleep at night (then given a good-night kiss), sucked into a vortex, and nearly killed more than once. The film also includes some insults and the word hell. Ultimately, there are positive messages about finding the courage to push through our fears and not let them stop us from living our lives to the fullest. (92 minutes)

Available on Netflix.

The Tiger’s Apprentice (PG)

Age 8+

Magical book-based animated adventure has peril, violence.

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“The Tiger’s Apprentice” is an action-packed animated adventure based on Laurence Yep’s children’s book series. It tells the story of Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo), a Chinese American teenager who’s suddenly thrown into the position of protecting an ancient phoenix. The Chinese zodiacs all have special abilities and mystical powers that they use to battle against Loo (Michelle Yeoh), an evil enchantress who wants to use the power of the phoenix for herself. Violence includes monster-like demons chasing and attacking characters. Loo uses her magical powers to attack others, from zapping to choking to turning people to stone. Swords, daggers and other sharp weapons are used against the flying demons, and the mystical powers of the zodiacs include everything from super strength and stretchy limbs to fart explosions from a goat. Expect some peril and lots of destruction, including explosions. A character dies off-screen and is carried away in spirit. Language includes “what the heck,” “crazy witch” and “holy shrimp fried rice.” The movie has a diverse cast; boasts many positive role models; and promotes themes of courage, family bonds, teamwork and not seeking revenge. (99 minutes)

Available on Paramount Plus.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

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