Geostorm parents guide

Geostorm Parent Guide

When it comes to disaster movies, this one offers everything audiences will expect -- although the perilous weather depicted may be too much for younger viewers.

Overall B+

To stop a storm of global proportions, a man (Gerard Butler) is sent into space to adjust the satellites that control the world's climate. Meanwhile, another kind of tempest is brewing on Earth: one that involves using climate to take over the world.

Release date October 20, 2017

Violence C
Sexual Content B+
Profanity C
Substance Use A-

Why is Geostorm rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Geostorm PG-13 for destruction, action and violence.

Run Time: 109 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

In the year 2019, Earth’s increasingly extreme weather conditions reach such a severe state that the leaders of the world are forced to come together to find a solution. Using the best scientific minds available, a large network of satellites is created to control the environment. The system is called The Dutchman, after the story of the young boy who put his finger in a dyke to save his homeland from flooding. The miraculous machine is a collaboration of 17 countries and managed from the International Space Station. But the US leads the effort and an American named Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler - I know, he has an UK accent) heads up the team of experts.

And it’s that national pride that becomes a problem shortly after construction is completed. Instead of willingly transferring The Dutchman over to a multi-national council, it appears the US Senate wants to stay in charge of the device. Jake’s less than sympathetic view of their desired ownership quickly gets him fired. Yet there is one silver lining to the situation: Jake’s kid brother Max (Jim Sturgess – who has an American accent) has been assigned to babysit the project for the next three years as the politicians sort out the issues. It would almost be the perfect resolution if it weren’t for the preexisting hard feelings between the siblings.

Fast forward two years and 49 weeks. With 21 days left before the US hands over their administration of The Dutchman, a malfunction occurs. Worried about passing on damaged goods (in an election year no less), the US President (Andy Garcia) gives the problem to the Secretary of State (Ed Harris), who enlists Max, who in turn recruits Jake to give the complex system a check-up and cure whatever is ailing it.

Putting their differences aside, Jake accepts the assignment. Yet once onboard the Space Station he stumbles into something more suspicious than a mechanical failure. Meanwhile Max untangles some Washington red tape that appears to be covering up a sinister plot. And at the same time, various freak weather incidents are killing unsuspecting civilians. Both brothers fear the indicators are pointing towards a geostorm – a series of climatic catastrophes around the globe that can cause an unstoppable domino effect.

Of course, we all know we are going to see some inclement conditions before the credits roll. Parents should be aware that these depictions may be too much for children. Numerous rain, hail and snow storms pummel people, killing and freezing them. Corpses are seen: some covered in ice and looking like statues, and one is so brittle that when his hand is touched, it snaps off. (No blood or detail are shown.) Tsunamis, floods, droughts and extreme heat causes deaths, injuries, explosions and property damage. Along with the acts of nature are violent deeds done by man. Gun and weapon use, car accidents, murders and fistfights are all part of the action. As well, characters face dangers in space, including being sucked out of, or torn away from, the safety of their spacecraft.

Still, when it comes to movies of this genre, Geostorm offers everything a disaster film is supposed to: flawed heroes who rise to the occasion, a good cause to fight for (Earth and mankind), loved ones to worry about (Abbie Cornish, Talitha Eliana Bateman) and a who-done-it mystery to unravel. Along the way, it imparts messages of world cooperation, forgiveness and reconciliation. While the script isn’t rocket science (or even weather science), it provides a roller-coaster ride of tense moments and enough computer science to supply great high-tech visuals. And amidst all the fury, the plot gently reminds us that if we want power over our universe we must first tame the element of human nature.

Directed by Dean Devlin. Starring Katheryn Winnick, Gerard Butler, Andy Garcia . Running time: 109 minutes. Theatrical release October 20, 2017. Updated

Geostorm
Rating & Content Info

Why is Geostorm rated PG-13? Geostorm is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for destruction, action and violence.

Violence:
Tornados, hurricanes, floods, droughts, blizzards, hail and lightening are depicted. This perilous weather causes harm and death to humans and animals, along with massive property damage. Corpses are seen. Gun use and weapons violence is portrayed, and characters are shot and killed (little blood or detail is shown). Other death and injuries occur from fist-fights, car accidents and explosions. People are purposely thrown in front of moving vehicles. Characters are often in danger from murderous intentions and while in space. A couple of characters are killed when they are sucked out of space vehicles and into outer space. Weather is manipulated with fatal consequences. Frozen, ice-incrusted bodies are seen, and the hand of one man snaps off. Characters lie and break laws.

Sexual Content:
Men in a shower room are seen with towels wrapped around their waists. An unmarried couple live together. They are seen kissing on a bed: he is fully clothed and she is wearing lingerie. A man mentions his divorce. A man falls on top of a woman while trying to protect her from harm. Couples embrace and kiss. Mild sexual banter is heard. Tourists are seen in beachwear and bikinis.

Profanity:
Terms of deity as frequently used as expletives, along with mild and moderate profanities, and scatological slang. Some mild slurs are heard.

Alcohol / Drug Use:
A character drinks beer and offers a can to another. Wine is drunk at home and in social settings.

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Geostorm Parents' Guide

Climate conditions, and whether they are changing or not, has caused a lot of social controversy. How do you feel about extreme weather and global warming? How does the script look at the issue? What positive world outcomes does it predict? What age-old problems does the story tap into to create its conflict? Are both reactions to a problem part of human nature? Which response do you think is the stronger of the two: selfishness or selflessness?

What is the real problem between Jake and Max? How does being either the older or the younger brother affect the way they see the situation? What impact do you think birth order has on relationships? What solutions might you suggest for siblings facing similar disagreements and responsibility concerns?

Max’s girlfriend Sarah (played by Abbie Cornish) has a strong desire to do her duty and uphold the law. What things happen to pull her away from her principles? Is it ever right to do something wrong? If so, how can you tell when a situation warrants an exception to the rule? When might circumstances just be a way to rationalize rebellious behavior?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Geostorm movie is January 23, 2018. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Geostorm
Release Date: 23 January 2018
Geostorm releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following extras:
- "Wreaking Havoc: Cutting edge visual effects, research and technology create the world of Geostorm.
- Search for Answers: Inspired by his daughter's question of why can't global warming be stopped, Director Dean Devlin retraces the creative journey that led to Geostorm.
- An International Event: A global cast opens up about the secrets behind Geostorm.

Related home video titles:

Dean Devlin also directed the movie Independence Day. Wild weather challenges the characters in the movies The Day After Tomorrow and Twister.