To explain much more of the plot would just leave you scratching your head, so I’ll refrain. But I will say this: The Last Mimzy certainly isn’t your E.T. brand of sci-fi that it so intentionally borrows from. Not only does it lack the charm and human interest element of the aforementioned, but the plot with all its new-agey excess is a waste of a talented cast (including Rainn Wilson from The Office, who plays the mystically curious science teacher Mr. White).

Basically if you want a better, more imaginative (not to mention redemptive) option to watch as a family, skip Mimzy and opt for a repeat showing of Bridge to Terabithia. Not only will it make much more sense, but there’s actually a point to the story, which is always refreshing when the credits have rolled.
 
AUDIENCE:  8 and up (although children will likely be bored as slowly as this story moves along)

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None,
• Language/Profanity:  One mild profanity uttered by Noah’s science teacher. For parents who don’t appreciate words like “sucks,” this is used in conversations as well.
• Sex/Nudity:  None, although it is understood that Noah’s science teacher and his fiancée Naomi live together.
• Violence:  Noah and Emma’s home is raided after a power outage, and they, along with their parents are handcuffed and taken to a holding cell. Plus, there are some scary moments when the mimzy is being transported to the future.
• Religion:  More disturbing than the violence or small instances of profanity, however, are the overt religious messages that are targeted to children. Early on, Naomi is shown chanting in front of a statue of Buddha and discusses her quest to reach nirvana. She and Noah’s science teacher Mr. White also discuss his repeated dreams about mystical symbols and lucky lottery numbers. Emma communicates with her “mimzy” through telepathy. She also levitates later on, a result of the “magical” nature of the mimzy. After Emma and Noah demonstrate their “special abilities,” Naomi asks to read their palms. And even though the kids’ mom is resistant at first, Naomi proceeds anyway, telling her not to be afraid. Of course, when Emma’s “special” nature is revealed, her mom instantly is a believer. New age crystals and “spinners” also figure significantly into the plot, and there are plenty of not-so-subliminal messages about Mother Earth, global warming and how the earth is dying, and we need to “save” it.