College Road Trip (G)

Even young kids will like father-daughter comedy.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures
  • Directed By: Roger Kumble
  • Cast: Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond, Raven Symone
  • Running Time: 83 minutes
  • Release Date: 03/06/2008
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • MPAA Rating: G

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this comedy stars Raven-Symone and features Lucas Grabeel and Brenda Song, all of whom lots of kids know and love from their popular Disney Channel shows and movies. Given that immediate Disney tie-in, expect even young elementary schoolers to show an interest in the movie. The good news is that despite Martin Lawrence's history as a foulmouthed stand-up comic, this is one family-friendly flick. There are a couple of scenes of slapsticky mayhem (like when a pet pig runs amok at a wedding reception), and a few moments of teens badmouthing parents who just don't understand; otherwise, there's nothing here to worry about.

Families can talk about how the movie portrays parent-child relationships. Which father-daughter dynamic seems more realistic -- Melanie and the chief's or Wendy and Doug's? Why? Why do you think Disney cast so many familiar TV faces in this movie? Kids: Did you want to see the movie more because you know the actors from their shows? What else made you want to see it?

Message

Social Behavior:

Melanie says she's going to spend the night at her best friend's house, but they're really going to a dance party. The chief has his deputies pose as college students during a tour of Northwestern. He also sneaks into a sorority house to check on Melanie. Asians on a tour bus are depicted stereotypically -- they're all karaoke obsessed.

Consumerism:

Northwestern University, University of Pittsburgh, and Georgetown University receive a lot of free publicity; products include a Dell laptop and a Mitsubishi flat-screen TV.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Slapsticky scenes of the chief nearly falling from a second-story window and a pig going wild at a fancy wedding. Two people are buzzed with a taser.

Sex

Brief goodbye/hello kisses and hugs between parents, and mild flirting between Melanie and a couple of college guys.

Language

Very mild: `stupid` and `dumb.`

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

James Porter (Martin Lawrence) is the chief of police for a Chicago suburb. Incredibly security obsessed, he wants his daughter Melanie (Raven-Symone) to attend nearby Northwestern University, where she's already been accepted. But Mel really wants to go to Georgetown in Washington, D.C., where she's been wait-listed. When she gets an unexpected interview, she decides to take a road trip with her best friends ... until James reconsiders and takes her himself -- so he can convince her to go to Northwestern. Along the way, they encounter several obstacles and near-disasters but also finally get the chance to really talk to each other.

Is it any good?

3
Lawrence seems to be following the well-worn path of other formerly risque; stand-up comics, making his living in watered-down, family-friendly comedies. This latest piece of Disney fluff is at least pleasant and better than expected. All parents (whether they have college students or not) can relate to the bittersweet realization that their kids are growing up. The discrepancy between how close James thinks he is to Melanie and how little he actually knows of her plans will probably strike close to home for many viewers, particularly teens and parents. For that reason, it's clear that director Roger Kumble wanted movie-going parents to relate to -- not just tolerate -- the plot.

In addition to Raven, who's so successful that she's one of the movie's executive producers, COLLEGE ROAD TRIP is filled with other recognizable stars from Disney franchises, like Lucas Grabeel from High School Musical and Brenda Song from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (all of which just makes the movie feel even more like a Disney Channel special than a big-screen event). Younger fans will also get a kick out of Melanie's genius younger brother, Trey (Eshaya Draper), who stows away with his faithful pet pig, Albert. Between Lawrence's slapstick, the presence of Raven and her fellow Disney-anointed stars, and the funny kid and his pig, there are bound to be laughs (and perhaps a couple of tears) in store for everyone in the family.

Related Video

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 24 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/29/08 by Jilltalks Adult contributor

Albert The Pig Rocks!

This was a great DVD! I loved it! Hope you all did, too?
4

Posted on 07/28/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

GREAT MOVIE!!

This movie made me and all my family laugh and cry at the same time! It was so funny and yet showed what life is really like!! IT'S A MUST SEE!!
5


Posted on 07/22/08 by funky400 Kid contributor, age 11

It was great!

At times I felt like not going to college and sometimes I felt like ollege couldn't comealong faster! It was fantastic!
0


Posted on 07/16/08 by buntyp89 Kid contributor, age 16
2


Posted on 07/15/08 by HellBoy Kid contributor, age 13

This is a great movie for the family.

Now I thought it was some kinda joke when my friend asked me if i wanted 2 go and it was worth it!A great Martin Larwence movie i thought it would be so stupid but it was great.A must see movie best of da year.
5


Posted on 07/15/08 by MoMo2008 Adult contributor
4


Posted on 07/05/08 by peapod1 Kid contributor, age 14

cute film

It may be no wild thonberries but it is still great.
4

Posted on 06/29/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

it is apporiate but boring

I know what it is like to go to college campuses and that is not it. It is strechted so much that it is plain dumb. Don't waste your money.
5


Posted on 05/10/08 by spongebobrocks22 Adult contributor

SCREW CRITICS

great choice for disney channel fans
5


Posted on 04/16/08 by optimistic Kid contributor, age 12

Hilarious

I recommend this movie for anyone. It is extremely funny. Not even the most serious person could have a straight face through this movie. There is commercialism through different colleges, and there is nothing innapropriate, except for some "teenage love". It has a nice message of trusting people, and it all works out in the end. Take my advice, and see this movie...!!!!!!!!!!!!

See all 24 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/29/08 by Jilltalks Adult contributor

Albert The Pig Rocks!

This was a great DVD! I loved it! Hope you all did, too?
5


Posted on 07/15/08 by MoMo2008 Adult contributor
5


Posted on 05/10/08 by spongebobrocks22 Adult contributor

SCREW CRITICS

great choice for disney channel fans
3


Posted on 03/28/08 by poko Adult contributor

Laughed Out Loud

I took my 8 year old and we both loved the movie. My 6 year old wouldn't have understood all the jokes and would have had lots of questions about why the dad is under a bed, climbing in a girl's window, tricking his daughter. So it's definitely for the "That's So Raven/High School Musical" set.
2

Posted on 03/19/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

A safe bet for your tween/pre-tween.

Surprisingly my 7 year-old daughter was dying to see this movie. We went with her Brownie troop for a mom and me outing, and I was entertained. The movie is good for 6-12 year olds; older kids would probably think it was too much for little kids. There is a lot of bad judgment in the movie, both by the kids and the parents. Nothing too earth shattering, but I definitely talked to my daughter after about the daughter lying, the little brother sneaking off, and the dad climbing in a window at a sorority house. The best part for those ladies of a certain age was the Donny Osmond cameo as a hyperactive, show-tune singing dad. Overall, unless you've promised your kid a trip to the theater, you could easily wait for this to come out on video.
5


Posted on 03/15/08 by madgepicasso Adult contributor

A True rated G movie, how refreshing!

Great movie, no foul language or issues to have to explain. Shows Raven in her tue to life positive role model. Ok she sneaks out to a party in one scene..but still I did not find this harmful. Promotes kids thinking about college and trying to do their best. Really funny! I will watch again when it becomes available of DVD. Kudos Raven..I just love her!
4

Posted on 03/14/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Family Friendly Feel Good Movie

This movie won't win any cinematic awards, but it gave my 9 year old daughter, her friends and me a lot of laughs and a wonderful night at the movies. Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone were a good comedy team. Donny Osmond made me laugh out loud. The music was fantastic! Everyone in the theater was laughing and dancing in their seats. A couple of younger kids were in the aisle dancing. What a wonderful thing -- I was able to take my daughter and her friends to a fun, family-friendly movie that didn't have any foul language, bathroom humor or scantily clad ditzy females. I just hope production companies produce more movies like this one! Bravo!
See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 17 reviews.

4

Posted on 07/28/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

GREAT MOVIE!!

This movie made me and all my family laugh and cry at the same time! It was so funny and yet showed what life is really like!! IT'S A MUST SEE!!
5


Posted on 07/22/08 by funky400 Kid contributor, age 11

It was great!

At times I felt like not going to college and sometimes I felt like ollege couldn't comealong faster! It was fantastic!
0


Posted on 07/16/08 by buntyp89 Kid contributor, age 16
2


Posted on 07/15/08 by HellBoy Kid contributor, age 13

This is a great movie for the family.

Now I thought it was some kinda joke when my friend asked me if i wanted 2 go and it was worth it!A great Martin Larwence movie i thought it would be so stupid but it was great.A must see movie best of da year.
4


Posted on 07/05/08 by peapod1 Kid contributor, age 14

cute film

It may be no wild thonberries but it is still great.
4

Posted on 06/29/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 10

it is apporiate but boring

I know what it is like to go to college campuses and that is not it. It is strechted so much that it is plain dumb. Don't waste your money.
5


Posted on 04/16/08 by optimistic Kid contributor, age 12

Hilarious

I recommend this movie for anyone. It is extremely funny. Not even the most serious person could have a straight face through this movie. There is commercialism through different colleges, and there is nothing innapropriate, except for some "teenage love". It has a nice message of trusting people, and it all works out in the end. Take my advice, and see this movie...!!!!!!!!!!!!
3


Posted on 04/02/08 by dancefan1 Kid contributor, age 13

A must see! (if you want to laugh...)

I liked this movie a lot! It was absolutely hilarious, but in a stupid way. This is a movie for all ages, but it might go over anyone under 8's head because they are touring colleges. A must see if you want a laugh.
3


Posted on 03/29/08 by carebear<3 Kid contributor, age 13

Very Good!

I think this would be a great father daughter movie or the whole family. It was also very funny.
5


Posted on 03/28/08 by fireball Kid contributor, age 9

I almost sang along to one of the songs

It's awesome I think it should be rated ages 0+ .
See all 17 kids reviews >
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