Tools for this page
Print

Flicka

(2006, Rated PG, Family and kids, Starring Maria Bello, Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw)
  • 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 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic book gallops to the big screen.

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?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

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

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 21 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Good show

    Flicka is a good show it show the bond between a girl and her mustang.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

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

    great for 9+

    I love flicka i cried in scenes but i think it is a great movie filled with passion and i love horses i also think tim mcgraw is an awesome actor

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Let your Spirit Run Free with Flicka

    Flicka is a beautiful betrayal of the love shared between a girl and her horse- a mustang filly. It is about realizing- after harsh consequences- that nothing is worth separating yourself from the ones who love you most. I recommend this for families.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    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.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    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!

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    This is so touching!

    I never wanted to see this movie, but when my sister was watching it at home, it caught my attention and I thought it was really good, I almost even cried. There is some killing and curse words in this movie so I would say it's PG-13, but it is definetely appropriate for kids 9+, as long as they can handle violence.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I cried

    It is an amazing movie but it gets very sad and I cried.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    I HATE horse movies, so I hated this. Its a piece of junk. Boring!

    Before you read my review, I need you to know that I am a person who absolutely LOATHES horse or dog or pig movies. Sometimes I wonder, how could anybody in the world like this movie? It's boring, corny, and absolutely nothing new. "Flicka" follows the same traditional and very boring story that just about every horse/dog/pig movie uses. Girl or boy gets a horse/dog/pig and then is told by an adult that she/he can't keep it because of so&so a reason. Then he/she is forced to battle all the adults in her life and get the animal back so that there can be a nice happy ending. Flicka is absolutley nothing new. Some girls may want to see it, but I, being a boy, will hate it as every other boy will no matter what. A very familiar plot, extremely cheesy sequences. The only nice thing is the countryside you get to see once in a while. But still, this is a very boring and pointless movie. There is one word for a film like this: LAME!

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

    Touching

    You definetly need to see this movie it is about a girl and she loves her horse. You will love it no matter what ! ! ! !

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Loved It!!!

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 0.0

    FLICKA

    THIS MOVIE IS GAYY

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i cried

    I LOVED IT SO MUCH, YOU ROCK!!!

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    i loved it

    i absolutely loved this movie.. a group of girls and i went to see it the day it came out. i ended up tearing my 7year old horse loving nice to see it, she loved.. being a daddy's girl that was raised around horses and live stock this movie hit home in so many ways

  20. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    A must see movie for ALL !!!

    this was suppose to be dad and daughters day, but I am really glad they invited me along. This was a great movie and is awesome for any mom also, especially if they are daddys girl. I have never read the book, and they say books are better than the movies, I dont see how this could have been. If you are looking for a great family movie this is it...

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Game of the Week

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name