OPINION:
“Bluey” is light and clean but the Season 3 finale does hold a “blink and you’ll miss it” surprise in LGBTQ messaging. Say hola once again to the iconic explorer in this faithful reboot of the children’s series “Dora.” It’s rated R, but “Irena’s Vow” comes with strong messages, competent craftsmanship and—except for one difficult scene—not many problems.
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Bluey – Streaming on Disney+
Bluey is a rambunctious 6-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play games and have adventures. With a little help from the “magic” of imagination, Bluey and her little sister, Bingo, climb mountains, escape dastardly crocodiles and turn into fierce lions.
Always willing to play along or help create a new game are Bluey and Bingo’s mum and dad. They keep their lively little girls in check, teaching them valuable lessons, such as the importance of sharing and using good manners.
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The Season Three finale (“The Sign”) garnered a bit of controversy when one new character made a casual reference to having two moms — the first LGBT reference in the show’s long running. But other than that, along with an occasional eyeroll, some mild toilet humor and an occasional light wink toward more adult behavior, “Bluey” is light and clean. The two sisters sometimes get into little tiffs over the rules of their made-up games, but they always apologize in the end and find a way to make the game fun for everyone. And they can inspire young viewers and their own mums and dads to play those same games, too.
Yes, “Bluey” has an issue or two for parents to note and consider. But this fun, well-written show also makes me wish I was a kid again (or at least that I had some kiddos to play these games with). And it feels like a valuable tool for parents since the games that “Bluey” creates don’t require a lot of toys, people or even time to play. With just a little imagination, your littles can mimic the lovable dog, developing their mental, physical and emotional resilience in the process.
Read the rest of the review for the series here. Watch the trailer for Season 3 here.
Dora – Steaming on Paramount+
It’s been 24 years since “Dora the Explorer” first invited kids to help her out on her adventures. Those kids may be all grown up now, but Dora and her trusty sidekick, Boots the Monkey, aren’t done exploring — and they still need a helping hand.
“Dora” is a 3D animated reboot of the classic children’s series. Equipped with new tech (the Map has a camera now!) but the same adventurous spirit, Dora once again sets out on her fun-filled expeditions. It’s a big world out there, after all, and there’s so much more to see.
Don’t be fooled by Dora’s new look; all the classic trademarks of the original series are back in this reboot. Kids are invited to engage with the show by repeating certain phrases and movements or pointing things out on the screen. The show is also faithful to its source material in that it heavily features Dora’s Hispanic heritage. She and other characters will often use Spanish phrases, then translate them for the audience. It’s a great way to introduce young kids of differing backgrounds to a new language and culture.
The best thing that “Dora” retains from its predecessor, however, is a dedication to clean content for young viewers. Content issues can always show up later, of course. But for now, parents can breathe easy knowing this reboot carries a solid TV-Y rating.
A minor issue worth noting is the increased presence of technology and media; Dora uses the camera in her sentient Map to take pictures, and she sings a song with Boots in which they photograph almost everything they do. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, of course, but parents might want to be aware of larger issues this might open for their little ones down the road (social media, smartphones, etc).
There’s also the heavy encouragement of — well — exploring. Dora is always on the lookout for her next adventure, which usually involves helping out a friend or family member. However, they also involve Dora and Boots setting off alone into places that might not be the safest. They’re never in any real danger, but Dora’s enthusiasm for adventuring into strange places sans-supervision could possibly leave an impact on more impressionable young minds.
At the end of the day, “Dora” is a fun and faithful reboot for a new generation, retaining all the engagement and educational value of the original with catchy tunes to spare. Don’t be afraid to say hola to Dora and her friends once again.
Read the rest of the review for the series here. Watch the trailer here.
Irena’s Vow – In Theaters
The real Irena Gut kept her secret for decades. She never spoke about her experiences in the war. Never mentioned the people (ultimately 12 in all) she hid in her employer’s cellar. Not until she was confronted by a Holocaust denier, in 1975, did she begin speaking about her secret story.
Those experiences ultimately became a memoir (“In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer”), which ultimately led to a papal blessing (in 1995), being honored by the state of Israel as one of the Righteous Among Nations, a Broadway play and now this film.
If Irena Gut had had her way, we never would’ve heard about her heroism. And that would’ve been quite the loss.
The powerful, competent “Irena’s Vow” isn’t a Christian film, but it sprinkles some Christian elements throughout and stresses many Christian values. Its faith content feels wholly organic. And while the core story is as inspirational as it comes, the movie (reflecting Irena Gut’s real life) comes with some unexpected, and even difficult, complexities. The choices that Irena made to keep her laudable vow — the vow to save Jewish lives — are worth thinking and talking about.
This film’s R rating will surely give some would-be moviegoers pause, and it should. The scene that earned that restrictive rating is shocking and horrifying, even without blood and gore. But it, too, reflects Gut’s own real-world experiences. And for those who want to want to see the movie but skip that scene, it’s telegraphed well in advance. When you see the Nazi officer take the baby in his arms, it’s time to close your eyes.
That scene aside, this is a worthwhile movie — one that introduces us to a story we’ve never heard and a hero we’ve never heard of. It has one of the clearest messages against abortion I’ve seen in a secular film in years, and it manages to be gripping and harrowing without ever delving into too much problematic content.
Technically, this is one of the cleanest R-rated films you’ll likely find. And it’s one of those rare R-rated films that might actually be worth seeing.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Reviews written by Paul Asay, Lauren Cook, Emily Tsaio, Kennedy Unthank.