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2014 Plugged In Movie Awards: Best Movie for Teens

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BEST MOVIE FOR TEENS (NOMINEES)

42 (PG-13):  42 tells the inspirational story of Major League Baseball’s first black player: Jackie Robinson. Many folks, of course, know that Robinson was a superstar player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. What you may not know is the battle against racism he faced off the field—a battle that might well have picked him off at second base were it not for the advocacy of Dodgers owner Branch Rickey. This sports drama/biopic doesn’t hold back when it comes to racial slurs hurled at Robinson with the same force fastballs were hurled at his head. Along the way, however, this unflinching depiction of Robinson’s trailblazing example offers a glimpse at what overcoming the virulent racism of the era required: courage and determination, self-control and faith. As Rickey told Robinson, “Like our Savior, you’ve got to have the guts to turn the other cheek.”

Ender’s Game (PG-13):  Earth is eying its end. Decades earlier, a race of giant insect-like invaders were beaten back while trying to colonize our planet. But all the years since have been spent living in abject fear of the big bugs’ return. But Colonel Graff has an idea that he hopes will save the planet from these massive creepy-crawlies: Seems to him that humanity doesn’t need another super-soldier, but rather someone who can attack the enemy with video game-like precision. We need someone like Andrew Ender Wiggin―a skinny teen who just happens to be the best military mind any junior high has ever produced. This Young Adult fiction-based sci-fi pic transforms kids into world-savers. The action is intense and there’s some bullying shown, but there’s no bloody warfare. Instead, we’re given video game space battles and questions about the morality and politics of war.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (PG-13):  Katniss Everdeen thought she’d never have to go back to those awful Hunger Games. But after she and Peeta tricked the government into letting them both live last time around, President Snow wants to get rid of them both, once and for all—and in front of the whole of Panem. The only way they can survive is through a little help from their … adversaries? Yes, the movie is violent. That’s well established by this point in the series. Yes, the subject matter can be uncomfortable. But this dark story gives a platform to some luminous acts of heroism and sacrifice while presenting some seriously deep thoughts about the intersection of persecution and entertainment. Ultimately, this movie isn’t about how long you can live, but how much you can give—and give for a cause more important than any one person.

Man of Steel (PG-13):  It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s another Superman movie! The latest reboot by director Zach Snyder focuses on ol’ Supes’ willingness to sacrifice himself, if necessary, to stop General Zod from devastating Metropolis. Of course, despite Superman’s efforts, Zod still uncorks plenty of apocalyptic mayhem. That and a few profanities are the primary content issues here. Amid the smoldering ruins of leveled skyscrapers, however, Snyder focuses on what he dubs Superman’s “inherent goodness.” “If you really think about it,” he said in one interview, “you still want him to be right and to make the right choices and to do the right thing. I think that we all hope for that in ourselves, and I think that’s what always has made him a very interesting character. He’s a Christ-like figure. There’s no two ways about it.”

Oz the Great and Powerful (PG):  Oscar Diggs may be merely a small-time magician/con man with a traveling circus, but when his hot air balloon is accidentally swept up and plopped down in a faraway land called Oz, well, his fortunes start to change. There are beautiful witches living in this colorful place, and talking China dolls, even flying monkeys. And they all seem to think he’s a predestined wizard sent to save the land. There’s a royal throne and a trove of riches waiting just for him, it seems. All he has to do is rid Oz of its one wicked witch. You know, the one who lives in the West. This version of the story of Oz is brighter and bears far more CGI sparkle than the classic 1939 version. Its ghosts and fireball-hurling magicky things are a little scarier, too. But in amongst its emerald flowers and shadowy talking trees can be found some solid lessons on faithful friendship and choosing selflessness over selfishness. In Oz we learn that leaving behind a life of lies always trumps empty dreams of fame-filled greatness.

Films in this category are targeting teens between the ages of 13 and 18. This year all of them are rated PG-13, and some come with their share of content concerns. They can be violent. They might have flurries of foul language. But all our nominees offer strong messages that, while they certainly don’t offset all of our concerns, at least make them worthwhile movies to consider.

(All movie summaries are written by Plugged In reviewers Paul Asay, Adam Holz, Bob Hoose and Bob Waliszewski.)