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Flicka

(2006, Rated PG, Family and kids, Starring Maria Bello, Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic book gallops to the big screen.

updated 10.15.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Katy is rebellious and disobedient for most of the film, but her actions have consequences. The movie has some good lessons about respect, obedience, and family expectations.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness :

    A girl falls from a horse, causing injuries and bruises; a horse is attacked by a wild animal, and blood is shown.
  • Sexy stuff :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Pretty mild: "Damn," "hell," "bitch," "ass," "frickin'."
  • Consumerism:

    Budweiser, Ford
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some drinking and smoking in a bar scene.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Flicka

Parents need to know that despite a few corny lines, this is a wholesome family movie with heart that's guaranteed to appeal to horse-loving kids. Although Katy's rebellious nature is at the core of the story (which is based on the classic kids' novel My Friend Flicka), there are consequences to her actions, and her family comes together at the end and learns to communicate in a respectful way. There are refreshingly few references to sex (it is an animal movie, after all), and few instances of crude or cringe-worthy behavior.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the best way to communicate. Is it better to get things out in the open instead of letting them fester? Why? Why is it important to see other people for who they truly are, rather than what you want them to be. Also, should Katy have adopted the wild horse against her father's wishes? How could she have handled her rebellious nature in a more respectful manner? Why was it so important for her father to try to save the ranch?
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Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Flicka?
  •  I think this movie is

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  •  Any concerns?

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See all 18 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Great film, but language can be a concern

    This is an amazing movie. Yes, there is some swearing in it, unfortunately, so this may not be good for your kids. But, it's such a good movie, it really is.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    Not as appropriate as I thought

    I was not pleased to discover the following in the movie: 1. A bathtub scene in which you can see the lead girl's breast between her arm and her bare back 2. A teenage girl jumping out from behind a tree in a very skimpy bikini (which is displayed off and on for the next several minutes) 3. The same teenage girl, while still in her bikini, snuggling very closely with her boyfriend Had I known about these things, the movie would not have entered my home.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 4.0

    A PG movie your kids could watch

    It's so hard to find acceptable media for little kids! We've run out of G-rated movies for our pizza and movie night - I previewed this one and it is pretty cute. We let our boys (age 5 and 6) watch it with us because there isn't violence between people or sexual issues. We talked about the issues w/ horses.

  4. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Anonymous
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 0.0

    You call this a movie?

    Now, before you read my review, understand that I love horses. How ever, I also love violence. So forgive me when I say that this is one of the most boring things I have ever seen. It had the same plot as all the other horse and/or dog movies, that a child gets a horse or dog, can't keep it for whatever reason, and has to fight he adults to keep it. The book was in no way related to the book, aside from the title. I'm sure that people who enjoy "wholesome movies with a moral" will like it, but I go to a movie to be entertained, not for a some cheesy moral.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Horse lovers, watch out!

    This is a wonderful movie with many opportunities to see horses being horses. There is a scene where a horse is attacked by a wild lion which was extremely disturbing to my horse crazy girl. Be prepared to possibly deal with this scary and upsetting scene. Other than that, it's a keeper!

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