Babble

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Babble Summer Film Guide 2008

This summer, three film trends are apparent: cute animated creatures traveling into space; broody, conflicted superheroes; and a glut of sequels and remakes. We have high hopes for a few of these, but no one knows what your kid likes better than you. Here are some Cliffs Notes to help you out.
— Gwynne Watkins

Iron Man

RATING: PG-13
STARRING: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow
IN 10 WORDS: Rich man turns into flying robot, fights corrupt government terrorists.

TAKE THE KIDS IF: They like acting out political allegories with their G.I. Joes.

Son of Ranbow

RATING: PG-13
STARRING: Some British kids
IN 10 WORDS: Boys from puritanical religious sect see bootlegged Rambo, get inspired.

TAKE THE KIDS IF: They're obsessed with your video camera.

Speed Racer

RATING: PG
STARRING: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci
IN 10 WORDS: Wachowski Brothers remake '80s cartoon with real actors, CGI cars.

TAKE THE KIDS IF: They like brightly colored movies and things that go vroom.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

RATING: PG
STARRING: Ben Barnes, Tilda Swinton, Liam Neeson
IN 10 WORDS: Narnia is a mess; the Pevensie children must save it.

TAKE THE KIDS IF: They loved the books. Or the first film.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

RATING: PG-13
STARRING: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett
IN 10 WORDS: Indy is back! Indy is back! Except now he's old.

TAKE THE KIDS IF: They love watching the dude's face melt off at the end of Raiders.

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About the Author

author bio Gwynne Watkins is Babble's Senior Editor. Her interviews and essays have appeared both online and in print; she is also a playwright who has been produced and workshopped throughout the New York area. She is currently writing the book and lyrics for a young adult musical commissioned by Making Books Sing.
Field Trip: The Wonder Pets, by Babble.com

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