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Stomp the Yard

(2007, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Meagan Good, Columbus Short, Ne-Yo)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Well-intentioned film steps up the melodrama.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Protagonist is initially aggressive, then both chastened and frustrated by his brother's murder; aggressive competition between fraternity steppers; very positive and welcome affirmation of African-American historical legacies; doing the "right thing" by his girl wins honor for the hero in the end.
  • Violence:

    Early scene shows the murder of the protagonist's brother by gunshot (bloody, upsetting); stepping routines are aggressive (one team uses a live snake to show "potency," another wears wolf masks and costumes).
  • Sex:

    Several scenes feature college-age students dancing provocatively (in clubs and in competitions) with girls wearing midriff/cleavage-baring outfits; sexual connection between characters; romantic slow dance leads to a kiss on the dance floor; DJ makes fun of his own flirting with April by making kissy noises in the library; start of their sexual relationship is signaled by her entering his dorm room and him shutting the door on the camera; handsome, well-toned step team goes jogging in slow motion, sweaty and shirtless; couple does homework in underwear and T-shirts.
  • Language:

    A couple of uses of the "N" word (by African-American characters); other language includes "s--t," "ass," "bitch," "hell," and "damn."
  • Consumerism:

    Coca Cola logos (film is set in Atlanta); MTV News (Sway "covers" and narrates the final competition).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking (beer, shots, other liquor) in clubs; background characters smoke cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Stomp the Yard

Parents need to know that this film's second scene is violent, then sad: A fight between groups of boys (featuring hectic editing and aggressive camerawork) ends when the main character's brother is shot and killed (bloody wound is visible). Characters discuss sex (one young man shows his selection of condoms) and use sex-infused slang. Aggressive language includes "bitch," "s--t," "hell," "asshole," and derogatory terms; a couple of African-American characters use the "N" word to show hostility. R&B singer Ne-Yo is one of the film's stars.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about black fraternities' role in preserving and teaching about African-American history. How does DJ's exposure to Heritage Hall show him the "value" of fraternities? What audience is the film trying to reach and what is it trying to tell them?

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Our Members Say

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See all 26 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    This is my favorite movie!!!!!

    I LOVE DJ!!!!!!!!EW Chris Brown!:( Not a lot of sexuality or profanity.

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

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Wonderful!

    Loven this movie. It's just wonderfull like the best movie.

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

    I daced to the beat!!

    I really liked this movie it is filled with drama, romance, adventure. it a great movie. you should rent it . cuz you won't regret it. -lovcandy906 want to talk to me go on my AIM. (lovcandy906)

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

    Good movie

    It is a good movie if you like hip- hop ,krumping,and r&b music.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I loved it!

    Stomp the Yard is no doubt, my favorite movie. I step as a hobby and this movie had everything; great storyline, great actors/actresses, amazing dance and step moves, and reality. No disrespect to commonsensemedia, but I mean c'mon, the movie is rated PG-13. It's not like a two year old is going to watch it or if they do, understand. Real life is real life and that's what this movie is. Of course by it's rating it's going to deal with issues that you listed, but that's life and you act like it's such a horrible thing. Deal with it. That's just my opinion. Anyways, overall, I loved the movie and it gets five stars from me.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Good Movie

    This movie is great and there is nothing to worry about if your kids watch it its a great movie with a little violence but not much!

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

    i think 12+ ::

    ITS A GOOD M+OVIE I LOVE IT

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Good Movie

    This movie I thought was enjoyable, though not very intersting at some parts. It was a wannabe powerful movie filled with "inspiration." I personally thought some of the parts were positivly boring and not very exciting. You have to be very low-key about this movie and not expect much. i really thought this movie would be better but it was a good flick.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    Not as good as it looks

    This movie does not look as good as i thought. This movie has some violance not that bad though.some parts do get very intence. Trust me pick somthing else.

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

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

    A must see

    this wasnt a bad movie at all! I loved it! I saw it at a friends and it is now one of my fav movies! The violence is bad in the beginning but only for like 5 minutes! The rest is way way way good! You just have to know your kid and trust them. I'd say this is appropriate for 10+. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

    Not for 11 year-olds

    Actually turned it off after about 1/2 hour while watching with my "mature" 11 year-old daughter. Too much young adult subject matter -- sex and violence. She didn't need to see any more. Too bad probably a good message by the end.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Increditable move

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 0.0

    Not Great

    This is a horrible movie.

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

    Great Plot with a whole lot of "UMPH" in it.

    When/if you see it, It just seems like a lot of noise and nothing else in the beginning, but it all turns out great once DJ (Protagonist) gets to "Truth" University.

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I loved this movie, i would go watch it again

    I really loved this movie because one I love to dance.Seeing them krump on this movie made me wanna dance even more. I really love Columbus Short in this movie, he is such a good actor. I never have seen chris brown act either, and he did a really good job too. Everyone did. the movie was kind of said. But this movie form where I come from it was the best movie I have ever seen. I mean I never seen poeple in the theater get so hype. They were clapping at everything. They cried when Chris died. And to me cant no one top that kind of dancing. I would really love to meet Columbus Short one day and ask him questions about this movie.

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    just junk , this should be outlawed.

    Complete non-sense.

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