Making The Grades...

The MPAA rated The Mighty (1998) PG-13 for elements of violence and peril.

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Overall: A-
With a rickety backyard fence separating them, Max and Kevin become the epitome of unlikely best friends--one is tall, fast, and simple while the other is short, slow, and smart. Apart, they are vulnerable to bullies, but together they become "Freak the Mighty." Teaching valuable lessons on cooperation, overcome challenges, and learning to play piggyback basketball, this is one of the best "teen" movies every made. Contains some suspenseful scenes and themes that may be too frightening for younger children.

Violence: C+
Inner-city setting of story includes portrayals of a gang, petty and auto theft, verbal bullying, threats of physical injury with a knife, chains, baseball bat, and sewer grate. Some property damage is incurred. Depictions of male characters threatening female characters; one instance includes choking. Guns shown on two occasions: once for self-defense. Well-intentioned characters engage in reckless behavior including stealing a vehicle, causing an accident, a toboggan ride ending in unconsciousness, and running barefoot in snow. Characters shown in peril including: near drowning, kidnapping, being bound, and confronting danger.

Sexual Content: A
Two unobjectionable references are made.

Language: B-
At least: 1 extreme sexual hand gesture, 1 moderate profanity, 6 mild profanities, 1 crude anatomical term, 5 rude slang terms, some name-calling, and 8 terms of Deity used as expletives--2 others used in religious context.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B
One character is portrayed as intoxicated. Alcohol is consumed at a dinner.

Miscellaneous:
Character at risk of choking on several occasions due to a medical problem.

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