The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin is a film adaptation of an old European comic featuring intrepid investigative reporter, Tintin, and his faithful canine companion, Snowy. In this installment, the youthful journalist becomes involved in a hunt for sunken treasure. He teams up with the boozy Captain Haddock while avoiding the murderous clutches of Ivan Sakharine, who wants the treasure for himself.

ClearPlay In Action!

There are a couple of minor language incidents and religious exclamations to clean up, as well as a couple violent spots to tone down. Parents should be aware that one of the main characters is an alcoholic, generally played for comedic effect. With ClearPlay, this film would be appropriate for all audiences.

Should I Adventure Out to Get Tintin?…

All the individual bits and pieces of this film are done quite well, but it feels like a movie without an audience. Tintin was before my time, and kids today have no idea who he is and won’t want to see it based on brand. While the 3D animated format and doggie sidekick signal a kids movie, it features a complex plot, a drunkard, a drive by shooting, gun play, sword play, death threats, and fisticuffs that are just a bit more intense and realistic than one would expect in a show for kids. At the same time, it feels just a little too childish for adults (belching in an airplane gas tank anyone?). That said, the acting, writing, music, and animation are top notch. If you’re a fan of TinTin or like films with a classic adventure feel from decades ago, run out and get your copy!

Brian Fuller—ClearPlay Investigative Reporter

Rated PG for adventure action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking; 107 min; Directed by Steven Spielberg

Family Movie Night Activity: The Adventures of Tintin

Tintin is his name, Investigating is his game.

Tintin and his trusty dog Snowy are on the case again. Tintin will discover a mystery that will get him kidnapped and taken across seas to Morocco. Enjoy this mystery treasure hunt with this Family Movie Night Activity.

Movie Snacks

*Tintin and Snowy don’t eat a single morsel of food throughout the duration of this film but I’m sure off cameras they would be indulging in some surf n’ turf since they are always on ship or on land. For dinner on this family fun night, include fish sticks and steak, or shrimp and chicken, or a combination of the two. Throw some oven-fries in there just for fun.
*Dessert is the key to the “Must Pause Moment #2” You will need to either make brownies or a chocolate cake or something that you can make dark smudges, so that your kiddos can solve the mystery.
*The last quarter of the movie involves pirates. At your local grocery store, purchase a delicious snack called Pirate’s Booty. It’s basically a low-fat puff snack that tastes like white cheddar popcorn.

Must Pause Moments

*Tintin buys a model ship called the Unicorn and it gets stolen almost right as soon as he buys it. He breaks into the culprit’s house at about the 15 minute mark and they discuss model ships. Pause the movie and build a miniature model ship, either one for each child, or one for everyone to work on. All you need is a piece of paper and your hands. Here are some directions for ya.
*Once Tintin’s boat and wallet get stolen he begins his investigation. He and Snowy always sit down and go over all of the clues with magnifying glass in hand. At your local dollar store, purchase a spy kit (they usually include a pen/paper/map/magnifying glass) for each child. Then when it’s time to have a snack/dessert, pause the movie and solve a real life puzzle. Have Dad take a big bite out of the brownie pan (this is one of the treats that you’ve made). With his dirty hands, have him make a finger print on the counter, on his napkin, and make sure he rubs a bit off somewhere on his face. Have the kids investigate the clues by comparing fingerprints, where the napkin is left and who was sitting there, and maybe who has some chocolate on their face. Once they gather the clues and solve the puzzle, have your brownie snacks.
*After Tintin gets kidnapped he is taken on a huge ship. He, of course, escapes his prison room and is forced to run and hide so that he doesn’t get caught. After Tintin, Snowy and the Captain safely escape, pause the movie and play your own quick game of hide-n-seek.

Other Activities

*The Adventures of Tintin, all of them, are about puzzles. Before, after, or during, have some family fun and put together puzzles. Either one big (easy) one or do puzzle races where each person has a 25 piece puzzle and you see who can assemble the puzzle the fastest.
*Tintin and the Captain successfully hi-jack a plane. Find an old moving box that can fit all of your kids, cut two square holes in the front, glue them on the sides as wings, and cut out a circle out of different paper for the steering wheel and have your kids go on their own airplane adventure.

Trisha - ClearPlay Children’s Mischievousness Investigator

Rated PG for adventure action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking; 107 min; Directed by Steven Spielberg