Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

The Pagemaster has its heart in the right place—it genuinely wants kids to see books as gateways to adventure—but the execution is rough. The animation hasn't aged well, the pacing is uneven, and the literary references are surface-level at best. The Mr. Hyde sequence is legitimately scary for little kids, and the 'aggressive menace' portrayal of classic characters can be confusing without context.

That 19% Rotten Tomatoes critic score isn't unfair: this feels more like a well-meaning library PSA than a compelling movie. If your kid is already a reluctant reader, this probably won't convert them. If they're already into books, they'll wonder why the stories are so shallow.

It's not terrible—it's G-rated, the message is positive, and some kids will enjoy the adventure—but in 2025, there are far better ways to get kids excited about reading. Watch it if you're feeling nostalgic for '90s kids' movies or if your 7-year-old is obsessed with Macaulay Culkin. Otherwise, hit the library and pick up the actual books instead.

Age Fit

Best for kids 6-10 who can handle mild scares and won't be put off by dated animation. Younger than 6, preview the Mr. Hyde scene first. Older than 10, they'll probably find it boring unless they're feeling nostalgic for '90s Macaulay Culkin.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

The core message—facing your fears through the power of books—is genuinely positive, and Richard's journey from anxious to brave is emotionally healthy. However, the execution is clunky: literary characters are portrayed as 'aggressive menaces' without clear motivation, and the pacing lurches between live-action bookends and frantic animated adventure. The film models courage but does so with cartoonish violence (pirates, Jekyll/Hyde transformations) that feels more chaotic than thoughtful.

Imaginative

72

The premise—a kid literally entering the world of books and meeting Adventure, Fantasy, and Horror personified—is creative and could spark interest in classic literature. The blend of live-action and animation was ambitious for 1994, and the film name-drops Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Moby Dick. That said, the execution is shallow: the literary references are surface-level, and the animated sequences feel more like a theme-park ride than genuine exploration of storytelling.

Safe

70

Rated G by the MPAA and approved for all ages by Dove, but multiple parent reviews warn that the Mr. Hyde transformation sequence and Horror genre segment can be genuinely frightening for kids under 6. There's mild cartoon violence (coconuts knocking out pirates, a boy hitting a tree) and some scary imagery that crosses into 'unsettling' territory for the youngest viewers. No sex, profanity, or substance use. The scares are predictable if you know what you're getting into, but younger kids might be caught off-guard.

Enriching

58

The film's intent is noble—get kids excited about reading and visiting libraries—but the execution is too thin to deliver real enrichment. The literary references are name-drops rather than meaningful engagement with the stories. Richard's character arc (anxious to brave) is telegraphed and rushed. It's a 'library promotion' film that might inspire a trip to the library, but it won't teach kids much about the actual books or build critical thinking. Entertainment value is middling: the animation hasn't aged well, and the story feels more like a PSA than a compelling adventure.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Core message is solid: reading is an adventure, and facing your fears makes you braver
Introduces classic literature (Treasure Island, Jekyll & Hyde, Moby Dick) in a kid-accessible way
Voiced by Patrick Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, and Christopher Lloyd—solid talent
Could inspire a library trip or spark curiosity about the books referenced

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What to Watch For

Mr. Hyde transformation and Horror segment can be genuinely scary for kids under 6
Mild cartoon violence (pirates, coconuts, a dragon) that's more chaotic than thoughtful
The animation and pacing feel very 1994—modern kids may find it slow or boring
Literary characters are portrayed as 'menaces' without much context, which can be confusing

Conversation Starters

"Richard was scared of everything at the start. What's something you used to be scared of but aren't anymore?"
"Which book world would you want to jump into—Adventure, Fantasy, or Horror? (Or maybe something else?)"
"The Pagemaster said books can take you anywhere. What's a book that made you feel like you went on an adventure?"

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