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Akeelah and the Bee
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Inspiring drama about a champion speller.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness :
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Sexy stuff :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
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.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
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
See all 44 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in FloridaI rate this title on for age 4 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy 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.
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy 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
- Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy 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.
- Lives in VirginiaI rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy 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.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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