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Family reviews: "Speed Racer, "What Happens in Vegas ...'

Parents guide to new movie releases

"Speed Racer'

Rating: PG for sequences of action, some 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 Hirsch, Christina Ricci and a 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 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 kids 9 and older.

"What Happens in Vegas ...'

Rating: PG-13 for some 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, getting flirty and fighting dirty in Sin City.

Good lessons/bad lessons: Alcohol and wedding chapels don't mix.

Violence: Sucker punches, several of them. Shots to the crotch, 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, it's still a bit much for 12-and-unders. Take the PG-13 to the bank.