My family and I had a great time watching this movie. My husband and I laughed outright in quite a few spots and our 5-year-old loved it all! He can't stop talking about the movie. As a matter of fact he had to pee just as the movie started but held it throughout (which he never does!) so he wouldn't miss anything. The animation is great, the detail is stunning and though it's 3D they don't go over the top with cheesy "in your face" moves to remind you. The 3D aspect is more of an enhancement to the storyline and action vs. the major element. If 3D normally makes you uneasy at a theater you probably won't have this experience here. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone but there's a nice twist at the very end that will warm many parents' hearts. They don't make a big deal out of it and it's woven into the end of the storyline tastefully and with humor. All in all a really great movie destined to be a classic!!
Go for the action and not for the story or writing. By far exciting when it comes to visual effects and that may make it worth $11+ a tix if that's what gets you off. But if you're looking for a plot that goes beyond the Hollywood, cliche-rich standard then you'll be disappointed big time. I would not recommend taking any children under the age of 10 to this. Though it doesn't show gore or much blood, you do see some serious devastation and loss of life; after all, billions of people die in horrific ways all over the planet and it may be too intense for young viewers.