  
IgorMPAA Rating:
 for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language.Reviewed by: David Criswell, Ph.D. Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Kids, Family
Genre:
Animation, Comedy, Kids, Family
Length:
_____
Year of Release:
2008
USA Release:
September 19, 2008 (2,300 theaters)
 
Relevant Issues
“All men aren't created Evil.” In listing the “primary audience” I was forced to list “kids” but don't be fooled, IGOR is not a film for small children at all. “Igor” is the story of a hunchback lab assistant to an “evil genius” whose job is to create “evil inventions.” When the scientist dies, however, Igor decides to create his own invention… a living being. “Igor” is obviously a parody of Frankenstein. Having created an “evil” woman, Igor soon finds that she is not evil at all (much to his disappointment). He sets out to make her evil, so she can kill and destroy, but soon learns that evil isn't all it is cut out to be. The story behind “Igor” is promising, but both the execution and the script are flawed. The animation is standard and could not elevate the story above its unpolished script. One of the problems is that the movie is supposedly intended for children, but is anything but child friendly. Toilet humor, violence, and innuendo abound. Worse yet is that the characters are not generally that likeable except for the monster herself. IGOR himself is constantly ordering her to kill and maim and never learns “goodness” until the end. Once again, the material here is fertile ground for humor, but its inspirations are few and far between. Morally, families need to be aware of the lack of suitability for young children. Potty humor includes a comment about “bats in the belfry” (a double entendre for feces), “shove pickle where the sun doesn't shine,” and an invisible man walks around without pants, scratching his invisible behind and commenting on the “freedom” of public nudity. In terms of violence, there is comic violence, including a character who gnaws his feet off, a scientist blows up; there is reference to torture and multiple killings throughout; someone is asked to bring the “severed head of a supermodel;” there is a “killoseum,” and there is also a running gag about a character who is immortal but constantly commits suicide (only to be resurrected) because “life is meaningless.” The story is very dark and far too disturbing for really young children. There were several kids crying in the audience. All in all, “Igor” was a great idea gone awry. The promising story is not sufficient if the plot is weak and the writing juvenile. I will not call “Igor” bad, for it is not truly bad, but it is far from good, and it is better to save your money on something wholesome and edifying. Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - Igor We really liked this movie, as did our 3, 5, and 6 year olds. The only negative I came across was the suicidal-rabbit who couldn't die. Ultimately, Igor is right-on morally, as he says “We all have an evil bone in our body, we just have to choose not to use it.” It reminded me of a Max Lucado preaching the “3:16” series (now the book The Numbers of Hope) when he said “You don't have to wake up in the morning and choose to do bad...,” we are sinful by nature, we must choose to follow Christ, and do God's will. Neutral
Neutral - I brought my 6 year old son (as did many others) to this show and yes it was pretty negative (like reading ecclesiastes—which I wouldn't read to my son either as he wouldn't understand) Yes, some of the spots were way beyond a six year old and were filled with inuendo, but… Negative
Negative - Do not take your child to see. I had my mother and my 10 year with me and thought it would be an innocent “G” rated movie. It was not. It is a very disturbing movie that makes you feel terrible, with all the messages they are giving. When I left, I was sad and angry that MGM would make this movie and feed it to our children as a “G” movie. Don't go. Negative - Parents, this movie communicates a message of pathetic, hopeless creatures that gets slapped around by their masters. Definitely violent, creatures losing their limbs, really evil and tasteless. Use of God's name in vain on more than one occation. Negative - Once again Hollywood uses animation to lure unsuspecting children into their web. The thin moral boundaries that children's movies still retain has again been stretched, setting the latest precedent for what should be tolerated by children and their parents in a PG film. Negative - When I brought my little boy to this film, I was horrified at the lack of human compassion. Themes like Murder, Evil and Little bunnies Killing themselves were supposed to be funny to little impressionable kids. Comments from young people
Neutral - When I saw “Igor,” I was surprised at how many times they said “Oh my G__.” I was really surprised at them putting the D___ word in there. That is something you don't put in a childrens comedy. I think the actors did a good job. Some personalities surprised me actually. At first I totally thought the message, “It's good to be evil.” and “You need to be evil to be somebody.” was totally wrong. But later I found out that wasn't the message at all. And I really like the line “I'd rather be a good nobody, than a evil somebody.” I think that doesn't just have to do with science, but with our daily lives. Positive - I saw this movie and I liked it a lot!!! I understand that a lot of you parents went and took your kids to see it, but just like what that Roxanne Peters girl said about Coraline, you should have not taken your kids to see it. I even saw some little kids in the theatre and they were crying!!! The commercials were dark and spooky and I like creepy movies that are PG. Those kids were really scared and I felt bad that some parents would do that. I have also seen kids under age 5 in PG-13 movies!!!! Me and a friend went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and a woman and her 3 year old daughter sat behind us!!!! She was sucking a pacifier, and I felt so bad for that little girl! Sure enough... a little while later she was crying, and they left the theatre. What a waste of money. Do not take your kids to see this!! Go see a G movie instead! Positive - I know this movie did not get many good reviews. I think this movie was a little dark, but I took my little sister to see this (she's kind of a ceepy movie fanatic) and she liked a lot. I am not trying to be a black sheep here and make the first move, but I was wondering parents, why would you take your little kids to see this movie? I was hoping you would use a little better judgement. I think you guys need to limit your times to the movies unless a G movie is playing!!! Sorry I am just speaking the truth. All you are doing is letting the devil into your little kids minds. My parents never let us get cable in our house until I was 13! I am kind of thankful for that. I have made smarter decisions from that. Maybe you should about that too. Maybe you have an older child who is stepping away from the bible because of your cable TV. Maybe you should think about taking it out. Negative - This movie was boring most of the time, and i only laughed once. for those who want to be bored to death, i think this movie is appropriate for kids 8+. But seriously, don't waste your money. Neutral - I liked it. It was an okay movie. It was funny. |
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