Tools for this page
Print

Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost

  • 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?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Young gumshoe is bossy, but adventures are fun.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Roxy is controlling and bossy toward her best friend (and tries to be toward adults), and she often disobeys her mother when she's wrapped up in sleuthing. She traipses through town by herself (against her mom's wishes), snoops through confidential files, and steals bank documents. But her actions are noble in spirit, as she's trying to save her home from destruction and reunite long-lost loves. Roxy also learns to accept the idea of her widowed mom dating again.
  • Violence & scariness:

    In one scene, a gunshot is heard, followed by a woman's scream, and a man is shown holding a shotgun that has punctured a hole in the ceiling. A boy is kidnapped and locked in a building; his friends are told that if they don't cooperate with the villains, he'll die. Ordinary sounds (bumps, creaks, branches hitting the window) are briefly implied to be made by ghosts.
  • Sexy stuff:

    A 9-year-old girl refers to a tween as her "fiancé."
  • Language:

    No cursing, but there's sporadic name-calling among kids ("dimwit" and "pumpkinhead," for example).
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost was written by Emily Ashby

Parents need to know that the main character in this kid-paced mystery is a young girl who acts more like a teenager than a 9-year-old. She's opinionated, strong-willed, and bossy, especially around her best friend, a 12-year-old boy who usually follows her lead rather than argue with her. She also disregards the rules to follow leads on cases, and in at least one scene she actually breaks the law (she steals confidential bank documents). But on the flipside, she's determined and dedicated to what she believes is right, and she always sees things through to the end. Tweens -- especially girls -- will enjoy her adventures, and parents will be happy knowing there's little other content here to worry about.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about solving problems. When you're faced with a tricky "mystery," what steps do you take to work it out? How do you gather information? Who do you turn to for help? Families can also discuss Roxy. Is she a believable character? Why or why not? Why do you think she disregards the rules? Is it sometimes OK to disobey your parents if it's for the greater good? Last but not least, fans of the books the movie is based on can talk about which they like better and why.
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost

What’s the Story?

When she moves against her will from New Jersey to the sleepy town of Serenity Falls, Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) -- a precocious, outspoken 9-year-old -- finds herself on her way to a dreaded small-town existence with her mom (Robin Brule) and her best friend, Max (Demetrius Joyette), a 12-year-old boy genius who's staying with the family while his archaeologist parents work abroad. But her feelings change at the sight of their new home, a towering historic mansion with enough intrigue to satisfy her imagination and sense of drama. When she hears rumors that the house is haunted, she throws herself into the task of learning the ghost's identity, and her sleuthing skills uncover plenty of secrets about the house -- and surprises about its past and present residents -- but they also immerse her in a secret plot to destroy her new home.

Is It Any Good?

ROXY HUNTER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MOODY GHOST (based on the novel by Tracey West) is the first installment in what promises to be a good TV mystery series for tweens -- especially girls, who will be attracted to the precocious star's spunky attitude and knack for connecting the dots to outwit the bad guys. For the most part, the movie is well-suited for its target age group, but some parents may take issue with young Roxy's domineering (often to the point of bossiness) relationship with Max, who usually follows her lead despite his better judgment. She assumes the same know-it-all attitude with adults -- both strangers and acquaintances -- who often back down and give her what she wants.

Roxy also easily justifies disregarding her mother's instructions (and societal rules) when there's a mystery to be solved. For example, in one scene, she walks to town alone despite her mom's warning to stay close to home; in another, she steals confidential bank documents. That said, there's a lot to like about this young go-getter and her brainy sidekick, and tweens are sure to enjoy her adventures and the movie's multiple plot twists.

Movie Details

Studio: Sony Pictures, Director: Eleanor Lindo
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/26/2007, DVD release: 02/04/2008
MPAA Rating: NR

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost?

or

to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

    More Great Stuff For Your Kids

    • Now Playing

      Avatar

      Avatar

      Action-heavy epic has dazzling effects, familiar story.

    • Advice for Parents

      Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

      Tips for a Healthy Media Diet

      New gadget gifts? Get help setting limits.

    • Book of the Week

      Beautiful Creatures

      Beautiful Creatures

      Dreamy, lyrical supernatural Southern romance.

    • Pick of the Week

      Bestselling Books

      Bestselling Books

      Popular new reads kids are buying today.

    • Game of the Week

      Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

      Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

      Fave brainy bunny hops to DS for learning romp that talks.

    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