'Speed Racer'
Rating: PG for sequences of action, violence and language.
What it's about: Idealistic, independent young driver battles long odds to foil the cartel of evil, cheating racing sponsors.
The kid attractor factor: Eye candy galore, based on a cartoon and starring Emile Hirsh, Christina Ricci and a cute chimpanzee.
Good lessons/bad lessons: “Cheaters never prosper.”
Violence: An awful lot for a children's film.
Language: Gratuitous profanity peppered here and there.
Sex: None, despite the presence of Christina Ricci.
Drugs: None, unless you count poison.
Parents' advisory: It's childish enough to be attractive to young children, but the plot demands many a tedious argument-discussion-explanation scene, when all most kids want is more chimp moments. Fine for 9 and older.
'What Happens in Vegas'
Rating: PG-13 for sexual and crude content and language, including a drug reference.
What it's about: A girl meets a guy, drinks are drunk and a Vegas wedding ensues. Getting out of that is complicated by a little jackpot they win in mid-break-up.
The kid attractor factor: Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, bumping ugly and fighting dirty in Sin City.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Alcohol and wedding chapels don't mix.
Violence: Sucker punches, several of them. Crotch shots, too.
Language: Not as much profanity as you might expect, but still worth a PG-13.
Sex: Yes, that happens in Vegas.
Drugs: Yes, with alcohol serving as Love Potion No. 9.
Parents' advisory: Not remotely as raunchy as most recent romantic comedies, but it's still a bit much for 12-and-under set. Take the PG-13 to the bank.
