Paperman – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Paperman

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2012

88%

WISE Score

8.2

IMDb

Boy meets girl, loses girl, enlists an army of magical paper airplanes to find her again—all in gorgeous black-and-white silence.

8.2/10

8.0

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Paperman

movie

G, 2012

88%

WISE Score

8.2

IMDb

Boy meets girl, loses girl, enlists an army of magical paper airplanes to find her again—all in gorgeous black-and-white silence.

8.2

8.0

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8.2/10

8.0

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare pieces of media that's genuinely great for the whole family—and I mean actually great, not just 'tolerable for adults while kids watch.' It's a masterclass in visual storytelling that won Disney its first Oscar for a short in decades, and it holds up beautifully.

At 7 minutes, it's the perfect palate cleanser between homework and dinner, or a lovely way to introduce kids to the idea that animation can be art, not just entertainment. The black-and-white aesthetic and 1940s vibe give it a timeless quality that doesn't feel dated—it's stylized enough to feel intentional rather than old.

The only 'downside' is that it's short and sweet rather than substantive—you're not getting deep life lessons here, just a charming story about romantic serendipity and the magic of taking chances. But sometimes that's exactly what you need: something beautiful, wholesome, and utterly safe that everyone can enjoy together without anyone checking their phone.

Age Fit

Appropriate from toddlerhood through adulthood, honestly. Little kids will enjoy the visual whimsy; older kids and adults will appreciate the romantic storytelling and artistic craft. The sweet spot is probably 5-12 for maximum emotional engagement without eye-rolling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A sweet, wordless romance about serendipitous connection told entirely through visual storytelling. Models persistence, romantic optimism, and the magic of taking chances without any cynicism or inappropriate content. The emotional tone is tender, hopeful, and genuinely heartwarming—perfect modeling of healthy attraction and effort.

Imaginative

Groundbreaking hybrid animation technique (hand-drawn meets CG) creates a distinctive black-and-white aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and innovative. The central conceit—paper airplanes that take on magical, almost sentient qualities—is whimsical and visually inventive. Wordless storytelling invites kids to interpret emotion and narrative through pure visual language, which is cognitively engaging.

Safe

Essentially zero content concerns: no dialogue means no language issues, no violence, no scary moments, no inappropriate themes. It's a gentle romantic pursuit set in a stylized 1940s-ish New York. The only 'conflict' is whether boy meets girl again—utterly benign. Perfect for unexpected viewing at any age.

Enriching

Won the Oscar for Best Animated Short (2013), demonstrating artistic excellence that kids can appreciate. Teaches visual literacy and the power of wordless storytelling. Themes of persistence, seizing the moment, and romantic hope are positive but relatively simple—it's more emotionally resonant than intellectually challenging. At 7 minutes, it's a lovely palate cleanser but doesn't offer deep discussion fodder beyond 'sometimes you have to take a chance.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Oscar-winning animation that proves you don't need words to tell a beautiful story—great for teaching visual literacy and emotional interpretation
Genuinely romantic without being sappy; models taking initiative and creative problem-solving in pursuit of connection
Stunning hybrid animation technique that's visually distinctive and artistically significant—kids are watching actual film history
At 7 minutes, it's the perfect 'one more before bed' that won't derail routines but delivers real emotional payoff
Universally accessible—no dialogue means it works for any language background or even very young viewers

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What to Watch For

Some kids under 5 might find the wordless format confusing or boring if they're used to constant dialogue and action
The romantic theme is sweet but very central—if your kid is in the 'romance is gross' phase (ages 6-9), they might roll their eyes
It's a short, so don't expect a full narrative arc—more like a beautifully animated moment in time

Conversation Starters

"How do you think the paper airplanes knew where to go? Were they magic or just lucky?"
"What would you have done if you met someone cool and then they disappeared into the crowd?"
"Why do you think the filmmakers chose not to use any words? What did we understand just from watching?"
"Have you ever had a moment where something felt like it was 'meant to be'?"

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