Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: R.I.P.D. is a terrible movie. It was a critical and commercial disaster when it came out in 2013, and it hasn't aged any better.

The premise—dead cops hunting supernatural criminals—sounds fun on paper, but the execution is a soulless Men in Black ripoff with none of the charm, humor, or heart. The CGI looks dated, the jokes fall flat, and the action is forgettable. With a 5.8/10 on TMDB and no redeeming critical reception, this is one of those movies that exists solely to fill space on streaming platforms.

From a WISE perspective, it fails on almost every metric. It's not wholesome (centered on murder and revenge), barely imaginative (derivative concept), moderately unsafe for younger kids (violence and scary creatures throughout), and completely unenriching (zero takeaways, minimal entertainment value).

If your teen is desperate for supernatural action, show them Ghostbusters, Men in Black, or literally anything else. R.I.P.D. isn't worth the 96 minutes, even as background noise.

Age Fit

R.I.P.D. is technically aimed at teens 13+ given the PG-13 content, but honestly, there are so many better action movies out there that this one isn't worth your time at any age. If your teen is looking for supernatural buddy-cop action, point them toward the original Men in Black instead.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

R.I.P.D. is a fantasy-action-comedy about dead cops hunting monsters, which inherently involves death, violence, and supernatural horror elements. The premise centers on a murdered protagonist seeking revenge, and the tone is cynical rather than emotionally healthy. While it attempts comedy, the film's chaotic pacing and dark premise don't model positive values or cooperation in a meaningful way.

Imaginative

45

The concept of an afterlife police department hunting 'deados' has some creative potential, but R.I.P.D. is essentially a derivative Men in Black clone with a supernatural twist. The world-building is shallow, and the execution is formulaic rather than genuinely inventive. It doesn't invite curiosity or creative thinking—it's just a standard buddy-cop action flick with a gimmick.

Safe

40

For a PG-13 action movie, R.I.P.D. has moderate violence, supernatural horror imagery (monsters, grotesque creatures), gun violence throughout, and deals explicitly with death and murder as central plot points. While it lacks graphic gore or sexual content, the persistent violence and scary imagery make it inappropriate for younger viewers. The supernatural horror elements could be genuinely frightening for sensitive kids.

Enriching

20

R.I.P.D. offers virtually nothing in terms of cognitive, ethical, or personal growth. It's a poorly-reviewed action comedy that bombed critically and commercially. With a 5.8/10 on TMDB and no notable awards, it's a forgettable cash-grab that provides minimal entertainment value and zero meaningful takeaways. There's no character development, moral complexity, or skill-building—just empty CGI spectacle.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

If your teen loves cheesy supernatural action movies and has already exhausted every other option on streaming
The premise of an afterlife police force has some creative potential, even if poorly executed here
Short runtime (96 minutes) means the pain ends quickly

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What to Watch For

Persistent gun violence and supernatural combat throughout—people are literally dead and hunting monsters
Scary creature designs and horror imagery that could frighten younger or sensitive viewers
The movie centers on murder and revenge, with death as the inciting incident
Dated CGI from 2013 that looks rough even by those standards
This movie was a notorious box office bomb for good reason—it's just not good

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how the movie portrayed the afterlife? Does that match what you imagine?"
"The main character was seeking revenge for his murder—do you think that's a good motivation?"
"This movie tried to copy Men in Black but didn't do it well. What makes a good action-comedy work?"

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