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Selena

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    J-Lo hits the right notes in Tejano star's tale.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Overall, a portrait of a principled and very loving Latino family. A character apparently embezzles money. A daughter defies her family to marry her boyfriend. A father, although he has a good heart, is extremely dominating. The movie also depicts instances of ethnic or gender discrimination: A club owner forbids performers to sing at his establishment because they are Mexican-American, and a festival promoter pays a band less because the lead singer is "just a woman."
  • Violence :

    It's not shown, but we learn through news reports that a character has fatally shot someone; she is then shown holding the gun to her own head. We briefly see the victim being carried to an ambulance on a stretcher.
  • Sex :

    Kissing between two main characters who later get married; an unidentified couple is shown kissing passionately at a fair. Selena wears some skimpy tops on stage.
  • Language:

    A character says "s--t" and "damn" in frustration. Non-Latinos are referred to as "gringos" in a few scenes.
  • Consumerism:

    A bag of Doritos and a can of Coca-Cola are visible in separate scenes.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A hard-rock band is shown trashing a hotel room; empty beer bottles are strewn throughout the room.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Selena

Parents need to know that this movie is based on the life of Selena, the popular singer who was killed in 1995. Kids may ask questions about the events surrounding her murder. The murder isn't shown, but one character does hold a gun to her own head. At the center of this film is a portrait of a principled and loving Latino family -- something rarely depicted in movies.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the relationship between Selena and her father. Why is he so domineering? Does he deny his kids a childhood by forcing them to perform in a musical group? Or is he urging them, especially Selena, to reach their potential? Also, thousands of young girls idolized Selena. How does the movie depict her as a role model through her personality, her ventures in music and fashion, and her ability to succeed despite ethnic and gender challenges? Kids might also have questions about Tejano music, a Tex-Mex genre that blends elements of pop, country, Mexican polka, and other styles.
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  •  I think this movie is

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Amazingly Spectacular!

    Selena's story is so amazing... I was actually about to be named after her since I was born the year she dies. JLo did a good job... i guess. There are some very... passionate kissing scenes. Nothing to freak out about. The movie was awesome though. I loved it! It's so sad... it WILL make you cry. You must watch this move, epecially if you are a fan of Selena. I love Selena's music. May she Rest in Peace.

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

    memories

    i enjoyed this,and jlo played a great selena of course.

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