How often have you asked this important question: what new movie can I go to see that is suitable for all ages? In a world of screen entertainment that often can be disturbing, offensive or challenging, seeking something different can prove near impossible.
Whether you are young, old or somewhere in between, 2018 offers a bunch of options for all ages. I did a survey of the upcoming year at cinemas and found these five highlights:
Peter Rabbit (released March 22)
Based on the beloved bestselling books by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit has the titular bunny (voice of Carpool Karaoke’s James Corden) and furry friends invading the real-world garden of a dastardly animal hater. While it’s a fuzzy tale of four-legged creatures vs two legs, there’s a very strong human thread in Peter Rabbit of issues around ancestral land rights.
Gnomeo and Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes (released March 29)
A 3D sequel to a 2011 original about the secret life of garden gnomes. Yes, secret life of gnomes. Johnny Depp joins the vocal cast as an ornamental version of classic detective Sherlock Holmes. Yes, Sherlock GNOMES. Prepare for puns and daggy humour.
Early Man (released March 29)
From the animation studio that brought us Wallace and Gromit, and Chicken Run, comes a prehistoric family film about trying to cope with changing times. If you think it’s hard living in our evolving age, spare a thought for Dug, a Stone Age bloke trying to save his simple life from the onset of the Bronze Age.
Isle of Dogs (released April 19)
Cool director Wes Anderson – who made stop-motion groover Fantastic Mr Fox – conjures another artsy animated world. This time, it’s a trash island for banished dogs outside a dystopian Japanese city. Isle of Dogs has a big vocal cast, including Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray and Edward Norton – and a sweet story about exiled dogs helping a boy find his lost pet.
A Wrinkle in Time (released March 29)
Based on a popular 1960s sci-fi adventure, A Wrinkle in Time has a teen girl charged with trying to save the universe from evil. Written by a Christian author, A Wrinkle in Time deliberately references the gospel of John in its prominent themes of dark (bad) vs light (good). But will Hollywood’s big-budget version retain such clear nods to the light of the world, Jesus? Early trailers are positive on that front, with prominent lines such as “What if we are here for a reason?” and “What if we are here for something truly divine?”
