Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors had good intentions. A diverse cast of female teen heroes? Great! Lesser-known characters getting screen time? Love it! But good intentions don't make a good movie.

The reality is this feels like a pilot episode stretched to feature length, with animation that looks cheap even by TV standards and a plot so paint-by-numbers that your kids will predict every beat. The 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score is baffling until you realize only 5 critics bothered to review it—everyone else correctly identified it as skippable.

The 5.5 IMDb and 2.9 Letterboxd ratings tell the real story: even Marvel fans who desperately wanted to love a Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl team-up found this dull. It's not bad enough to be offensive, but it's not good enough to be memorable. It's just... there.

If your kid is a die-hard Marvel completist or specifically loves these characters from the comics, sure, throw it on Disney+. But don't expect anyone to ask for a rewatch. This is the kind of movie that plays in the background while everyone's on their phones.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 11+ rating feels about right—younger Marvel fans (8-10) could handle it fine, but tweens and up will likely find it boring and beneath them. This isn't appointment viewing for anyone.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Features positive themes of teamwork and friendship among diverse teen heroes. Models cooperation and heroism with age-appropriate stakes. However, the pacing can feel rushed and the emotional depth is limited, making character development somewhat surface-level.

Imaginative

58

Introduces lesser-known Marvel heroes like Squirrel Girl and America Chavez, which offers some novelty for fans. However, the animation style is serviceable but unremarkable, and the plot follows predictable superhero formula without much creative risk-taking. It's more derivative than innovative.

Safe

85

Standard Marvel superhero action with no graphic violence, gore, or inappropriate content. Common Sense Media rates it for 11+, suggesting mild action sequences typical of the genre. No unexpected scary content or disturbing themes. Clean and predictable.

Enriching

62

Showcases diverse representation with female-led cast and characters from various backgrounds. Offers basic lessons about teamwork and standing up for what's right. However, the execution is shallow—it's more about checking diversity boxes than delivering meaningful character arcs or thought-provoking themes. Entertainment value is middling; the 5.5 IMDb rating reflects its mediocrity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Finally puts female Marvel heroes front and center with Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, and America Chavez leading the charge
Safe, predictable superhero action that won't traumatize anyone or require awkward conversations afterward
Short enough (around 80 minutes) that it won't overstay its welcome during family movie night
Introduces lesser-known Marvel characters that might spark interest in the broader comic universe

⚠

What to Watch For

This is bottom-tier Marvel—the 5.5 IMDb rating isn't a typo, it's genuinely mediocre and your kids might lose interest halfway through
The representation feels more like corporate checkbox-ticking than authentic storytelling
Standard superhero violence (punching, energy blasts) but nothing graphic or scary
If your kids are used to the polish of MCU theatrical releases, this direct-to-streaming animation will feel like a major downgrade

Conversation Starters

"Which of these heroes would you want on your team and why?"
"Have you heard of any of these characters before? Want to check out their comics?"
"What makes a good team? Did these heroes work well together?"

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