3. It’s fun, entertaining, and clean.
Slide 3 of 3
The film is a reflection of the playfulness and Shazam! Along with the surprise that was at the heart of the 1955 book.
In search of a way to find “Grandpa”, Harold draws an airplane and Skye writes a message in the sky. Not wanting to land their new vehicle, they draw a parachute to glide to the ground. They then draw a piano for Terry. They also build a helicopter for the boy (which ends up in a near disaster).
Harold and the Purple Crayon The film stays firmly in PG-rated territory, with minimal language (more on that below) and no sexual references (Harold says he “stayed the night at Terry’s,” but Gary seems to think that the phrase means something other than what it actually means). There is limited violence, such as a scene in which two boys bully Mel in a hallway (Mel accidentally hits one of them in the nose) and the film’s final moments when Harold fights Gary in a “drawing duel,” the latter of which features Gary transforming into a knight and magically creating a volcano of lava in an attempt to defeat Harold.
At the end of the film, Harold actually meets his Creator and says, “I wanted to show people that with a little imagination, they can make their lives what they want them to. ” (This is a controversial point from a biblical worldview, since our desires must align with God’s will.) The Creator adds, “Although our time on this earth is limited, the lives we change leave their mark.”
Harold and the Purple Crayon It offers unusual fun for families, a live-action film with minimal content concerns and some solid lessons for all ages.
Rated PG for mild action and thematic elements. Coarse Language: OMG (2). Gary’s book also mentions “male nipples.” Discussion Questions: Why are creativity and imagination gifts from God? Is God creative? (How?) Can creativity be a form of worship? (How?) How can we align our imagination with Biblical truth and God’s will?
Entertainment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Family Friendly Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Photo credit: ©Sonny/Harold and the Purple Crayon
