Greenland

Grade: NOT RECOMMENDED

Summary

While 'Greenland' showcases strong themes of family loyalty and sacrifice in the face of disaster, its PG-13 rating and genre suggest the presence of moderate violence and intense, frightening situations that could be problematic for younger or sensitive viewers. The depiction of humanity's worst behaviors under duress, though perhaps realistic, could present an occasion of sin by normalizing despair or extreme self-preservation.

Moral Concerns

• Moderate violence and intense peril, potentially graphic for a PG-13 rating, including societal breakdown and desperate acts.
• Depiction of human depravity and selfishness during crisis, which could be an occasion of sin (despair, lack of charity).
• Potential for strong language, common in PG-13 action/thriller films, though not explicitly stated.
• Frightening and anxiety-inducing scenarios, especially for children, which could cause scandal by presenting a world devoid of hope or divine providence.

Positive Elements

• Strong emphasis on the sanctity of family and marital fidelity (estranged couple reuniting for their child).
• Themes of sacrifice and selflessness for loved ones.
• Portrayal of perseverance and resilience in extreme adversity.
• Highlighting the importance of protecting the innocent (the child).

Detailed Analysis

The movie 'Greenland' receives a 'NOT RECOMMENDED' grade primarily due to its likely content in the 'moderate violence' and 'intense peril' categories, typical for a PG-13 disaster film. The plot explicitly mentions 'cities getting levelled' and the 'best and worst in humanity,' indicating scenes of destruction, death, and desperate human actions. While the core theme of a family striving for survival and reunion is commendable and aligns with Catholic values of family sanctity and perseverance, the means by which this is portrayed can be problematic. The 'worst in humanity' elements, such as potential looting, violence among survivors, or acts of extreme selfishness, could serve as an occasion of sin by normalizing such behaviors or fostering a sense of despair rather than trust in divine providence during tribulation. The intense, life-or-death situations and graphic depictions of societal breakdown could also be too frightening or disturbing for younger audiences, potentially causing scandal by presenting a world where hope is scarce and moral boundaries are easily crossed. While there are strong positive elements centered on family love and sacrifice, the overall intensity and potential for disturbing content make it problematic for a broad Catholic family audience, especially without more specific information regarding the portrayal of violence and moral transgressions.

This review is based on traditional Catholic moral teaching as found in the Baltimore Catechism and the Ten Commandments. It is intended to help Catholic families make informed viewing decisions.