Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Land of the Lost

film

Land of the Lost

2009

On his latest expedition, has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall is sucked into a space-time vortex alongside his crack-smart research assistant Holly and redneck survivalist Will into a world populated by marauding dinosaurs and painfully slow creatures called Sleestaks. With no weapons, few skills and questionable smarts, the trio must rely on their only ally, a primate named Chaka, to try to survive long enough to figure out a way back home.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 intensity comes from repeated dinosaur and reptile attacks, deaths, magma peril, crude sexual humor, profanity, drug-like comedy, and some disturbing imagery. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5
  • Death of a character3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Kindness & empathy2/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising2/5
Why this rating?

Features references to modern pop culture and real-world media brands like Today, integrated for comedic effect.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

An ice-cream seller and the long-deceased Zarn are reported dead; characters face executions and lethal threats throughout.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild gore, such as reptilian creatures or animals being killed or dismembered off-screen or briefly in fantasy contexts.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Frequent use of crude, suggestive, and mild-to-moderate strong language throughout the film.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Light, mostly comedic romantic undertones; Will ends up with a tribe of women at the end.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Dinosaurs and reptiloids pursue the heroes, while captivity, executions, magma, volcanic hazards and an invasion create sustained peril. The comedy softens but does not remove the frightening elements.

Sexual content & nudity3/5
Why this rating?

Includes sexual innuendo and crude humor, some of which references sexual scenarios.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

The characters engage in a psychedelic sequence, and substances are alluded to in a comedic, non-serious manner.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Frequent creature attacks, chases, combat, executions, and battles. Characters kill or defeat monsters, often in exaggerated comedic fashion.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly confront dinosaurs, hostile reptiloids, volcanic danger, executions, and an invasion to save friends and worlds.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The alternate-world premise, time anomalies, inventive survival tactics, scientific devices, and musical set pieces strongly encourage imaginative thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Features an ensemble cast, but character development is primarily focused on their comedic roles rather than cultural diversity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It uses paleontology, time-warp, and scientific ideas as adventure ingredients, but does not seriously teach science.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists rescue Chaka, protect one another, and cooperate across differences, though their treatment of enemies is often violent.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The story supports teamwork, loyalty, persistence, scientific curiosity, and helping others, while also treating reckless and crude behavior as comedy.

Good role models1/5
Why this rating?

The group shows ingenuity, courage, and loyalty, but several leads are irresponsible, vulgar, selfish, or ethically questionable.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Land of the Lost would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Land of the Lost, and what caused that change?
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