Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

We Can Be Heroes is a perfectly serviceable kids' superhero movie—colorful, energetic, and built around a solid 'teamwork and believing in yourself' message. Robert Rodriguez brings his signature visual flair, and the diverse cast of kid heroes is appealing. The problem? It's also deeply formulaic. If you've seen Spy Kids, Sky High, or any other 'kids save the day' adventure, you've seen this plot before, and the characters are broad archetypes rather than memorable individuals.

The critics liked it (76% on Rotten Tomatoes), but audiences were lukewarm (40% RT audience score, 4.7/10 on IMDb), and that split makes sense: it's competent and well-intentioned, but not particularly inspired. Kids 8–10 will probably enjoy the action and the 'we can do it!' vibe, but it won't stick with them the way a Pixar film or even a better Marvel entry might.

Safety-wise, it's fine for the target age (8+). Younger kids (5–7) may need a parent nearby for the alien invasion scenes and the moment when the kids are separated from their parents, but there's no gore, profanity, or inappropriate content beyond one brief cleavage shot. It's a solid rainy-day Netflix pick if your kids are in the superhero phase, but don't expect it to become a family classic.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8–12, though 6–7-year-olds who handle mild superhero action well can watch with a parent nearby. Under-5s will likely find the alien invasion and scary moments too intense. Teens and adults may find it too simplistic and formulaic, though Rodriguez fans might appreciate the visual style.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Solid teamwork-and-empowerment message with kids learning to trust their abilities and work together. The tone is upbeat and colorful, violence is cartoonish superhero fare, and there's no meanness or cynicism. One brief moment of cleavage (Ms Granada's low-cut top) is the only mild eyebrow-raiser, but it's not gratuitous. Pacing is brisk without being chaotic, and the film models cooperation over competition.

Imaginative

65

Robert Rodriguez brings his trademark visual flair—bright colors, creative superpowers (one kid rewinds time, another has shark abilities)—but the story itself is fairly formulaic: kids-save-the-day superhero adventure we've seen before (especially if you've watched Spy Kids or Sky High). The alien invasion and headquarters-escape sequences offer some fun world-building, but nothing groundbreaking. It's more 'entertaining remix' than 'original vision.'

Safe

75

Rated PG in Australia (Mild Themes, Mild Violence, Scary Scenes). Violence is fantasy superhero combat—hand-to-hand, super-powered fights—presented in an exaggerated, non-graphic style. No blood, gore, or death. Alien visuals and the parent-capture premise may unsettle kids under 5, and there's one brief cleavage shot. Zero sexual content, substance use, or profanity. Common Sense Media suggests age 8+, with parental guidance for 5–8 due to scary moments. No toxic social features (it's a movie). Overall, safe for the target audience with a heads-up for younger/sensitive viewers.

Enriching

62

The core message—kids discovering their strengths, working as a team, and stepping up when adults can't—is empowering and age-appropriate. Some light problem-solving and the idea that 'different abilities make a strong team' offer modest cognitive/social value. But the film doesn't dig deep: characters are broad archetypes, emotional beats are surface-level, and the plot prioritizes action over insight. It's entertaining and encouraging, but not particularly thought-provoking or skill-building beyond 'teamwork good, believe in yourself.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Empowering 'kids can be heroes' message that celebrates teamwork and trusting your unique abilities
Bright, energetic visuals and creative superpowers (time-rewinding, super-strength, shark powers) keep younger viewers engaged
Diverse cast of kid characters with different personalities and skills working together
Light-hearted humor and upbeat tone—no cynicism or meanness, just fun superhero action
100-minute runtime is manageable for family movie night without overstaying its welcome

⚠

What to Watch For

Alien invasion and parent-capture premise may scare kids under 5; watch together with 5–7-year-olds to talk through tense moments
One brief shot of cleavage (Ms Granada's low-cut top)—not central to the plot but worth a heads-up
Fantasy superhero violence (punching, super-powered combat) is cartoonish but present throughout
Formulaic plot and broad characters mean it's entertaining but not especially memorable or deep

Conversation Starters

"If you had a superpower, what would it be? How would you use it to help your friends or family?"
"The kids had to work together even though they were all really different. When have you had to team up with someone who wasn't like you?"
"Why do you think the kids were able to save the day when the grown-up heroes couldn't?"
"Which kid hero was your favorite, and why? What made them special?"

Deep Dive

The Robert Rodriguez "Kid-Core" Aesthetic

If you grew up on the original Spy Kids or The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, you know exactly what you’re getting into here. Robert Rodriguez has a very specific style when he makes movies for kids: it’s bright, it’s loud, and the CGI often looks like a video game from 2012. While critics gave this a respectable 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score and IMDb rating tell a different story.

The disconnect comes from expectations. If you’re looking for the polished, high-stakes drama of a Marvel movie, you’ll find this "mid" at best. But if you view it as a live-action cartoon designed for the under-12 set, it hits the mark. It’s a spiritual successor to his earlier work, even featuring the return of certain "lava-adjacent" characters. If your kid is confused about where these heroes came from, check out our breakdown on Which "Lava" Movie Is Your Kid Actually Watching? to clear up the franchise history.

The "Internet's Daddy" vs. The Alien Invasion

A huge draw for the parents in the room is Marcus Moreno, played by Pedro Pascal. He’s the leader of the Heroics, and while he spends a good chunk of the movie captured, his presence adds a layer of "prestige" that most Netflix kids' movies lack. However, don't expect the gritty intensity of his other famous roles. This is Pascal in full "wholesome dad" mode. If you’re trying to figure out which of his other massive hits are actually okay for your kids to watch next, we’ve mapped out The Pedro Pascal Phenomenon: From Mandalorian to Marvel to help you navigate his filmography.

Opposite him is Priyanka Chopra as Ms. Granada, the high-heeled, sharp-tongued government leader. She brings a certain "Disney villain" energy that works well for the tone. Chopra has been moving into much darker territory lately, so if your kids become fans here, you'll want to be careful with her newer projects—take a look at our guide to Priyanka Chopra: From Disney Voices to the R-Rated Grit of 'The Bluff' before you let the "Up Next" queue take over.

Where the Friction Is

The 4.7 IMDb score isn't because the movie is "bad" in a technical sense; it’s because it can be cringe for anyone over the age of 13. The dialogue is earnest, the "power of teamwork" message is hammered home every ten minutes, and the logic of the superpowers is... flexible.

The Powers: Instead of standard "flight and strength," we get kids who can rewind time by five seconds, kids who can draw things into existence, and a kid who can move in slow-motion. It’s imaginative but undeniably silly.
The Tension: The alien invasion is more "inflatable toy" than "Independence Day." It’s safe for the 8+ crowd, but the 40% audience score likely comes from older siblings who found the whole thing a bit too "babyish."
The Twist: There is a third-act reveal that changes the context of the entire alien invasion. It’s a "teaching moment" twist rather than a "shocking betrayal" twist.

If Your Kid Liked...

This is the perfect bridge movie for a few specific scenarios:

The "Too Young for Deadpool" Crowd: If your kid is obsessed with superheroes but isn't ready for the PG-13 snark and violence of the MCU or the dark themes in the 2000s classic Heroes, this is a safe harbor.
The Roblox Generation: The visual style and the "choose your class" vibe of the different kid heroes feels very much in line with modern gaming logic.
The Sky High Fans: It shares that same "superhero school/camp" DNA where the kids are the ones with the real agency.

It’s a functional family movie. It won’t change your life, and you probably won’t want to watch it twice, but for a rainy Saturday on Netflix, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

Stills