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Akeelah and the Bee

(2006, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Inspiring drama about a champion speller.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Akeelah feels like a misfit because she's smart and tries to hide it in school, but as she excels in spelling, her family and community come together to help; coach initially hides the death of his daughter; a brief lesson offered in distinctions between Asian identities.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Brief conversations about deaths of Akeelah's dad and her coach's daughter, one killed in neighborhood violence, another by disease; one speller's father claps his hands loudly to get his attention during an argument (Akeelah overhears and jumps at the sound); local thugs roll up like a menace in an SUV, but are instantly won over by Akeelah's project.
  • Sexy stuff:

    A couple of cleavage shots; cute boy kisses Akeelah and worries, "you going to sue me for sexual harassment?" (it's a joke moment, but kids might wonder about it).
  • Language:

    Mild language (s-word); coach instructs Akeelah to use proper English, and not try to fit in with her friends by using slang.
  • Consumerism:

    Starbucks (marketing tie-in with film named in the opening credits), ESPN.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Coach has a drink while working at his desk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Akeelah and the Bee

Parents need to know that the movie includes mild language (the s-word) and early on, some "attitude" from the young girl at its center. But her "ghetto" vernacular is a show to try to "fit in," a thematic concern throughout the film, for the girl and adults around her. A related theme is coping with loss; a couple of sad conversations recall the deaths of loved ones (one by gun violence, another by disease), and divorce. Characters lie to protect loved ones, and must make amends. In a couple of scenes, the mother and daughter argue. A couple of women characters wear tight tops; the girl's coach has a drink one evening alone.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the importance of pursuing one's interests and dreams, especially as this can inspire collaborations. How does Akeelah's success inspire others to feel part of a group, as her spelling becomes a community project? How can you be true to lost loved ones by moving forward into the future?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Akeelah and the Bee?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 49 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    A SAD STORY ABOUT LOS

    Something parents should know is that even though this movie looks sweat and 100% inisent it isnt. There is brief language and lots of tlak about los of family and how hard it is which can be way to much for young children. But most 8 year olds will be able to handle it and then some wont. Just bare in mind this drama is mainly about LOS, but it is still a very good movie with very good messges about being yourself and never giving up.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    its a classic

    i think this is a great movie it is really inspiring and loving! it makes u so happy and so sad its like ur in the movie

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Very good movie

    This is a very good movie, but it may be innapropriate for 9 and under due to some swearing.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    it was good and worth seeing

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    perfect for all ages which are under 16

    i likeed it and the massage in it is clear and with a positive meaning!! my brother liked it he is 8 years old

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I love it!!

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    The Greatest Movie Since Cinderella!

    This is a great heartwarming movie for the whole family. My only concern is a little swearing, but I think that it is okay for 7 year olds.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Some language, but not a big problem

    Violence: 3/10-Talk of tragic deaths, young girl bullied Sex/Nudity: 1/10-One sexual joke Language: 4/10-one "s" word, everything else milder

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    My sisters and i have seen this movie and we think its a great movie but it has some inappropriate language.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    V-E-R-Y G-O-O-D M-O-V-I-E

    A fine movie that my class and I enjoyed thuroughly, I'm glad it ended the way it did.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 3.0

    Go Akeelah!

    Well, this film starts out a little boring, but the heroine is someone that you can root for. In fact, this film is educational, what with all the spelling. Pretty good!

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    surprisingly good

    At first, I had no desire to see this movie. But since it seemed to have an interesting plot, I sat down and watched it. This is a truly great movie. It is one of those rare movies that manages to please all. S-words make it inappropriate for little kids, and those same kids may find it boring (what a shame..). Amazing movie for 8+

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 1.0

    beware--bad langauge

    The teacher in my child's fourth grade class sent a letter of apology home after starting this movie in class. Think twice about these reviews because this movie is not what it seems. Take the time to see it first!

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    An Excellent Drama About a Young Girl

    This is probably one of the best movies I've seen in my life. I recomend this movie to anyone who is looking for something different. Watch as a family!

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Not quite as godd as "Bee Season"

    "Akeelah and the Bee" is formulaic but good. The story of a girl who won the National Spelling Bee, is has a great performance by its young lead, Keke Palmer. The ending left me feeling cheated, like most movies of this type, but I liked is a lot. Grade B+, age reccom. 7+ (Remember, if taking your kids to the theater, make sure they're prepared to be quiet, no matter what movie it is. Others want to watch!)

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Mexico
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  17. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A must see

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Smart, Inspiring Movie for kids 10 and up.

    Akeelah and the Bee is a cute family movie for anyone over 10. There is mild language, but nothing horrible. The film is perfectly casted and the heroine is smart and spunky. Pair that with a good message and you've got Akeelah and the Bee: a fun film for the whole family.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    hello

    This is a pretty good movie. I saw it at school and I can't belive they actully showed it! It's hard to belive with the language but are teacher didn't know about it.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Not one of my favorites:

    This movie is about a girl that is real good at spelling.

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