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Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior

(2006, Rated NR, Action/adventure, Starring Brenda Song, Shin Koyamada, Tsai Chin)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Inventive movie that families can watch together.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Teen characters are well-behaved and respectful of their parents, and the overall message -- that cultural heritage is important -- is a good one. Wendy is Asian and a strong female character.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Many fight scenes involving martial arts as Wendy battles an ancient evil spirit.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Romantic feelings develop between two lead characters, but it's all very innocent.
  • Language:

    Very mild: "idiot" and "jerk."
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior

Parents need to know that while this entertaining made-for-TV movie portrays a loving family and good values -- such as embracing your heritage -- it also has some violence in the form of martial arts fighting against an evil spirit. Aside from the Asian family at the center of the movie, there are no other minority lead characters. Wendy herself is a strong, relatable female lead.

Read our full review by Lucy Maher

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the importance of learning about your background. Where are your kids' grandparents from? How did your family arrive in the United States? Another theme this movie explores is priorities. How can kids juggle school and extracurricular activities and make good time-management choices?

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Our Members Say

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See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0

    IFFY for 8 ON for 9.

    a great and funny and action packed movie. there is a little bit to much crushes and vilonce for kids under 8 though. So this movie is OFF for 7 and under. IFFY for 8 and ON for 9.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Okay

    This is one of those movies that gets old very quickly. Parents, this movie is pretty violent and there are evil characters with scary voices that can frighten your child. It's just a little too scary for young children. There is no bad language. The good part is that Wendy Wu (Brenda Song) is a very strong, good role model for kids, especially girls. She doesn't lose her determination.

  4. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Great teen girl heroine of color!

    Great teen girl heroine of color (Brenda Song as Wendy Wu) who is active and ambitious about her goals and not just interested in boys. The "violence" is not the kind of violence that is a problem for kids to see — it is actually quite inspiring to see this kind of martial arts on film and I am always trying to find films for my daughters to watch that tell stories about girls pursuing their dreams and not just being rescued by boys or trying to marry the prince.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Nice.

    Not the best kung-fu film, but good effort.

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

    How can people not like this movie?

    Although this movie has the traditional Disney plot line (people start out one way and change for the better), it has a way of keeping the audience on the edge of their seats until the credits. It has a little bit of mystery, a tiny bit of romance, and a good message (follow your dreams, don't give up, yata yata, yata...). I am 11 years old (almost 12) and I would recommend this to anyone my age or older!

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    My 6 year old sister and I watched this nearly 10 times!

    This is a great movie, a typical disney movie, fit for tweens, but appropriate and enjoyable to any age, actually. Everyone I know who's seen this has enjoyed this, and I know I did. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior's violence is not an issue at all, that occasional kicking, and slow motion fighting, but nothing is a problem. This is a great movie, absolutely suitable for any age.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A Must-Watch Movie for ages 8+

    I think this is a cool movie with wirework. It could be less violent with the end, but other than that it's a fantastic movie.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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

    Wow! This movie was good. Buy it.

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

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

    This was great

    This movie is great for anyone 5 or older really.it is kind of BORING after a while.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Good disney Movie

    A good disney movie but not rewatchable.

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

    Good Effort, Bad Exicution

    Although this movie tried to represent family values, and girl power, the exicution wasn't the best. The acting wasn't the best, (Although Brenda Song is good in The Suite life of Zach and Cody) and the special effects were bad. Disney could have done alot better.

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

    Very Good!

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    Everybody loved it

    My nine year old daughter LOVED this movie; the six year old thought it was "really cool". The 11 year old complained but stayed to watch. I am bored to tears by martial arts, so the big fight scene at the end didn't thrill me as much as it did the kids. It was well choreographed, though, and no blood was spilled. Watch out; your kids might want to practice some of the moves. I had to remind mine about Hollywood vs. reality. Lots of good stuff to talk about: Wendy's boyfriend is REALLY shallow, and they break up once Wendy has more important things to do than look cute (plus, her "cousin" Shen is around taking an interest in her as a person, not just a trophy). The parents love each other and Grandma is a supportive background presence. Wendy learns to embrace her Asian heritage without turning her back on American style. All in all, a good family flick.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    BORING!

    Wendy Wu is a waste of time. Brenda Song is playing the same character she plays in the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. And the stunts are so fake. And when Wendy finally gets to be homecoming queen, everthing she wanted in the whole movie, she gives it away to her enemy, who isn't even grateful for it. Little kids will love this, but older kids will just be bored!

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    surprised my eyes didnt fall out

    this movie waz really bad i have nothing else to write but i will anyway this movie is like when the cartoon is falling off the clif and it makes that whistle sound ya well thats about how bad it is

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