Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Clue (1985) is a cult classic that Gen X and older Millennials absolutely love. Tim Curry is phenomenal, the wordplay is sharp, and the three-endings gimmick was genuinely innovative.

But let's be real—this movie is nearly 40 years old, and it shows. The pacing is frenetic in a way that feels exhausting rather than exciting to modern kids. The humor is very verbal, very fast, and very 1980s. Kids today are used to different comedy rhythms, and this one often lands as just... loud and confusing.

The bigger issue: there's a significant data problem here. The synopsis provided talks about Peking Man and Japanese collaborators in 1942, which is absolutely NOT the 1985 Clue movie about a dinner party murder mystery. This mismatch makes scoring difficult and lowers confidence across the board.

If we're talking about the actual 1985 Clue: it's fine for tweens and teens who like classic comedies, but most elementary-age kids will bounce right off it. The murder-mystery-as-comedy thing works better when you're old enough to appreciate the parody. And honestly? Even teens today might find it more interesting as a cultural artifact than as something genuinely entertaining.

It's not bad, it's just... of its time. And that time was 1985.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12+ who can appreciate rapid-fire verbal comedy and understand adult themes presented in comic context. The PG rating is generous by today's standards—this would likely be PG-13 now. Adults who grew up with it have nostalgia, but most kids under 10 will find it confusing and dated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

The 1985 Clue is a comedic murder mystery based on the board game, featuring witty dialogue and ensemble cast chemistry. While it involves murder as a plot device, the tone is lighthearted and campy rather than dark or disturbing. The film models clever problem-solving and teamwork, though characters are broadly drawn archetypes. However, the synopsis provided appears to be for a completely different film about Peking Man, creating significant confusion about which movie we're actually evaluating.

Imaginative

82

Clue (1985) is notably creative in its structure, featuring three different endings shown in different theatrical releases—a genuinely innovative storytelling approach. The film adapts a beloved board game into a fast-paced whodunit with clever wordplay, physical comedy, and mystery-solving that invites audience participation. It encourages deductive reasoning and pattern recognition. The theatrical gimmick of multiple endings was imaginative for its time, though the execution and pacing can feel chaotic.

Safe

65

Rated PG, Clue contains comic violence (people are murdered throughout), some sexual innuendo and double entendres, mild profanity, and adult themes including blackmail, adultery, and McCarthyism. The murders are played for laughs rather than horror, but there are still multiple on-screen deaths. Some jokes involve prostitution and infidelity. For a PG movie from 1985, it pushes boundaries that would likely earn PG-13 today. No gore or graphic content, but the subject matter and rapid-fire adult humor make it less appropriate for younger viewers.

Enriching

68

The film offers entertainment value through wordplay, physical comedy, and mystery-solving, encouraging logical thinking and attention to detail. It introduces themes of McCarthyism and Cold War paranoia in an accessible (if superficial) way. The ensemble cast work and Tim Curry's iconic performance demonstrate skilled comedic acting. However, the frenetic pacing and emphasis on slapstick over substance limit deeper engagement. It's fun but not particularly meaningful—more clever entertainment than enriching experience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely clever wordplay and physical comedy that rewards repeat viewing
Innovative three-ending structure encourages critical thinking about narrative and evidence
Tim Curry's performance is legendary and demonstrates masterful comedic timing
Introduces mystery-solving and deductive reasoning in an entertaining format
Nostalgic board game adaptation that can spark conversations about classic games

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What to Watch For

Multiple comic murders throughout—played for laughs but still people dying on screen
Sexual innuendo, prostitution references, and adultery jokes that will go over younger kids' heads but are definitely there
Rapid-fire 1980s comedy pacing that modern kids often find exhausting or hard to follow
McCarthyism and Cold War themes that need context for kids to understand
The humor is very verbal and fast—subtitles might actually help

Conversation Starters

"Which ending did you think made the most sense? Why do you think they made three different ones?"
"Have you ever played the Clue board game? How is the movie different from the game?"
"Why were all these people being blackmailed? What does that mean?"
"Tim Curry's character talks SO fast—did you catch all the jokes or did some go by too quickly?"

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