The Last Mimzy parents guide

The Last Mimzy Parent Guide

Overall B+

Two youngsters (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Chris O?Neil) find some strange objects they consider toys. Amongst them is an old stuffed bunny they call Mimzy. Yet when the siblings begin playing with the mysterious items, extraordinary things start to happen --like an increase in the children's intellectual abilities. The movie is based on a science fiction story by Lewis Padgett.

Release date March 22, 2007

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

Why is The Last Mimzy rated PG? The MPAA rated The Last Mimzy PG for some thematic elements, mild peril and language

Run Time: 90 minutes

Parent Movie Review

A mimzy? If it rings a bell, then perhaps you’re a fan of Lewis Caroll. He uses the term in a nonsense poem within his classic novel Through the Looking Glass (although he spells it mimsy). In this movie, which plays upon the same idea of peeking into another world, Mimzy is a proper noun—the name of a stuffed rabbit that washes ashore inside a very interesting container.

This encased bunny and many more very peculiar objects are found by Emma and Noah Wilder (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn and Chris O’Neil) while playing at their parents’ beach house outside Seattle. Sensing their newfound treasures may be taken away if they show them to Mom (Joely Richardson), the siblings try to keep secret the floppy-eared toy, a glowing green rock and an assortment of other stones that spin weightlessly in the air.

However, it doesn’t take a mother’s intuition to begin detecting unexplained changes in the children. Over the following weeks Noah, who was struggling in school, begins creating a science fair project that is literally out of this world and drawing Tibetan mandalas (geometric designs). At the same time, little Emma is becoming obsessively attached to the stuffed rabbit, which she claims is speaking to her. Nor do these unusual behaviors go unnoticed elsewhere. Soon Noah’s science teacher (Rainn Wilson) and his girlfriend Naomi (Kathryn Hahn)—both followers of new age Tibetan religion—are prodding Mom and Dad (Timothy Hutton) to investigate.

Yet the parents’ efforts to intervene with their kid’s fixation on the playthings are in vain. Contrary to their past behavior, the brother and sister are now cooperatively working together and taking instructions from the rabbit in the hopes of saving another generation from extinction. But as Emma and Noah attempt to solve the problem of the future, they begin interfering with the present—and that alerts some hypersensitive authorities

As far as content goes, the greatest concern for young viewers will be the portrayal of some heavy-handed government agents who barge into the Wilder home and apprehend the family under the Patriot Act (any political statement this may make is likely intentional). Other scenes of characters in peril and the uses of a few mild profanities may also be of concern.

However, for older children, teens and adults, The Last Mimzy does provide an engaging sci-fi adventure story. Focusing on the relationship between the siblings (played marvelously by these young actors), the film addresses the serious topics of teamwork and recognizing the impact of today’s decisions on tomorrow—although a serious inspection of all the plot points is not advisable.

Starring Timothy Hutton, Chris O'Neil, Rainn Wilson, Joely Richardson. Running time: 90 minutes. Theatrical release March 22, 2007. Updated

The Last Mimzy
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Last Mimzy rated PG? The Last Mimzy is rated PG by the MPAA for some thematic elements, mild peril and language

This adventure movie, which is likely most appropriate for the 10 and over crowd, offers an interesting story concept capable of keeping adults interested too. The greatest concern for young viewers will involve a surprise raid by over-zealous federal officials. Under the Patriot Act, they apprehend the entire family, causing the children great distress. Another less intense moment of peril includes a short scene where glimpses of what looks like stereotypical aliens (green suits with big eyes) are seen. Three mild profanities and three uses of a term of deity are heard. Sexual content is limited to a man and woman kissing a couple of times. The film also portrays Tibetan religion and “new age” practices like palm reading and levitating.

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The Last Mimzy Parents' Guide

The controversial Patriot Act has been alluded to in other movies as of late (like The Astronaut Farmer). How can subtle (and not so subtle) political comments be made using the technique of introducing a real life concept into a fictitious story? If your family is interested in knowing more about The Patriot Act, the American Library Association maintains a page that links to a variety of factual and analytical resources: http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/ifissues/usapatriotact.htm

The family in this movie has a second home on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington State. For more information on this location, check these sites:
http://www.southwhidbey.com/
http://www.whidbeycamanoislands.com/

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Last Mimzy movie is July 9, 2007. Here are some details…

Discover the secrets of The Last Mimzy (the movie that is), with this DVD release, which includes a look behind the scenes, deleted scenes and some featurettes. Audio tracks are available in English.

Related home video titles:

Siblings have to work together to get back into their own universe (hopefully before Dad gets home) after playing with a mysterious board game in the sci-fi movie Zathura. In the classic film Harvey, Jimmy Stewart’s character also has trouble convincing others that he is having conversations with a rabbit.