Troop Zero Parents Guide
on Jan 21, 2020, Updated Feb 16, 2023
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In my Troop Zero parents guide to the movies, I’m sharing my review and parental guidance for this Amazon original film.
In what looks to be a movie aimed at kids, you may want to think twice before pressing play on Troop Zero.
While this movie had an ultimately positive message in the end, the story was full of trials and reality that may be better suited for tweens and above.
About Troop Zero
In rural 1977 Georgia, a misfit girl dreams of making contact with outer space. When a national competition offers her a chance at her dream, to be recorded on NASA’s Golden Record, she recruits a makeshift troop of Birdie Scouts, forging friendships that last a lifetime and beyond.
The endearing underdog tale also stars Mike Epps, Edi Patterson, Charlie Shotwell, and introducing Milan Ray, Johanna Colón and Bella Higginbotham. Troop Zero is directed by the award-winning directing team Bert & Bertie from a script by Academy Award-nominee Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild). Producers are Todd Black, Jason Blumental and Steve Tisch.
Watch the Troop Zero Trailer
Troop Zero Parents Guide and Review
I had a hard time getting through Troop Zero. The beginning was slow and it took a while to get to know each character. The story, while ultimately uplifting (the last 10 minutes were my favorite part) was pretty sad and difficult to watch overall.
Parents should know that Troop Zero has references to parental death, many outcast kids who are teased mercilessly for various reasons, alcohol and tobacco use by the adults in the movie and language used by all.
This is an underdog story to be sure, but not in the cute, child-friendly way. There are real issues with unpleasant outcomes throughout the movie that I would not recommend for children under 12.
Tweens and teens may be able to find the positive messages ultimately but I think younger children may have a hard time connecting the dots.
Jim Gaffigan and Viola Davis played their roles well, but their talents were seriously underused. Allison Janney gave the most confusing performance with her sudden transformation from a caricature of snobby southern belle to understanding female friend.
If you’re looking for a feel-good movie to stream on family night, skip this one in favor of something a little less depressing.
I was touched by the last 10 minutes of Troop Zero, but it sure was tough to get there. Have you seen it? What did you think?
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Seems like subject matter for 9-11 yr olds… but too much inappropriate language. That said, I don’t think older age groups would be interested in the story since the characters are fairly young.
I can definitely see that. It just seemed like they didn’t know who the audience should be. We are pretty lax with language in movies but this one was even too much for us.