Another Cinderella Story (PG, 2008)

common sense media says

Selena Gomez brings fresh pop fun to an old tale.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 27% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that tweens will want to see this movie because it stars Disney Channel darling Selena Gomez, star of the TV show Wizards of Waverly Place. Compared to High School Musical, the dance moves are just slightly sexier, and there's a little kissing between teens. Also, girls fawn all over a teen heartthrob to an embarrassing extent, even rubbing up against him suggestively in public. A Zune music player figures prominently in the plot, and the wicked stepmother likes her martinis. The mean behavior directed at the main character is typical of her Cinderella role and played as over the top for laughs.

Positive messages: Not the helpless heroine message you usually get from Cinderella stories.
Positive role models: Mary is not a typical helpless Cinderella, and she charms Joey by being herself. Joey defies his money-grubbing parents to get the girl. The stepmother figure, Dominique, is supposed to be over-the-top, and she gets enough laughs that there's no taking her bad behavior seriously, even though Mary is expected to do her bidding at every moment. Twins Britt and Bree try to make Mary's life miserable, but they seem pretty pathetic themselves. Joey's conniving ex-girlfriend Natalia is truly mean until the very end.
Violence: A mention that Mary's mother, who was one of Dominique's dancers, died before Dominique took her in. A couple of empty threats by Tami to the twin "step sisters" and Dustin in defense of Mary. Someone falls off a stage and ends up with two broken legs.
Sex: A couple of kisses between teens. Girls -- and some boys -- fawn all over teen singer Joey Parker; one girl kisses him in the school hallway, another asks him if he wants to make out, and others rub up against him and embarrass themselves to get his attention. Mary and Joey hang out alone together in her room and almost kiss on her bed. A mention by Dominque that some talk-show hosts had grabby hands. Some slightly sexy dancing moves.
Language: Pretty mild. One "damn," and someone says "frickin'" a few times in a row.
Consumerism: The Zune music player figures prominently in the story. Mary's friend Tami drives a VW bus. Plenty of celeb-lifestyle shout-outs, including TMZ, the VMAs, E Hollywood True Story, Dr. Phil, TiVo, and YouTube. A funny plug for the fake product "Baby Got Bacne."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Dominique likes her martinis and always seems a little inebriated; she embarrasses herself at parties and passes out one night. Adults drink at dinner.

More on Another Cinderella Story

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how the high school girls act around Joey Parker. If you had a crush that severe, would you do anything for that person's attention? How does Joey handle all the unwanted attention? How do celebs in the news handle it? Do you think they deserve more privacy?

  • Families can also discuss what made kids want to see this movie -- was it the fact that Selena Gomez was in it? How do you think the producers of this movie went about making sure kids knew it was coming out?

What's the story?

What's the story?

When she's not finishing up high school and dreaming of auditioning for the Manhattan Dance Academy, Mary (Selena Gomez) spends most of her time playing maid for her guardian, washed-up pop singer Dominique Blatt (Jane Lynch), and Dominque's twin daughters Britt (Emily Perkins) and Bree (Katherine Isabelle). Then teen pop star Joey Parker (Andrew Seeley) enrolls in school and announces a big dance competition; the winner will star in his next video. Suddenly the incredibly uncoordinated Britt and Bree -- and the rest of the girls at school -- are clamoring for Joey's attention. But only one girl catches his eye at the masked ball -- Mary, of course -- and when she drops her Zune on the dance floor, Joey rushes to identify her. Finally Mary comes forward, and the two practice their dance moves together while they do Mary's chores -- until a jealous ex-girlfriend and the twins do their best to separate them before the big dance competition.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Cinderella stories usually end at the big reveal. This one keeps on trucking through a courtship (with some rather cheesy moments), jealous plans to split the pair apart, and a big dance competition to get them back together. It's a lot to cram in, and it stalls a few times before the big dance finish.

But some of its more unconventional elements make ANOTHER CINDERELLA STORY more worthwhile, especially for modern tweens. Lynch, a fabulous comedic actress, is both a wicked stepmother figure and a pathetic fading pop star (her opening back acne commercial is laugh-out-loud funny). Plus, instead of sticking to the most popular dance moves -- there are plenty of those throughout the rest of the movie -- the masked couple at the ball goes for classy and launches into a tango. And when Joey, the big star, smartly defies his money-grubbing parents and even helps Mary with the housework so he can spend time with her, the usual silent-but-handsome prince role takes on a lot more character.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Home Video
Director: Damon Santostefano
Cast: Drew Seeley, Jane Lynch, Selena Gomez
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: September 16, 2008
DVD release: September 16, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some mild sensuality and language.

This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 15 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 27% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

nataliedance
teen, 15 years old
 
To those of you complaining, this is NOT a Disney movie, it's Warner bros. And a great one.
I'm 15 and I absolutely adore this movie. I'm a dancer and believe the moves they do to be perfectly normal and completely appropriate. There are a few hip action moves, but it is not bad at all, as that is typical modern dance. Selena and Drew are wonderful and so is Jane. There's nothing wrong with it and I think it's appropriate for all ages. Any kid young enough for some parts to be "inappropriate" aren't going to understand what they are referencing anyway, so I think it's fine. And since when was kissing considered inappropriate!? That is ridiculous. And yes there's a "bed scene", but they are simply talking to each other, I do that with my friends all the time just like that and that doesn't mean we are going to have sex. And one last note, THIS IS NOT A DISNEY MOVIE. It's a Warner brothers movie. So stop saying "oh my gosh I can't believe Disney did this!!!" it was shown on Disney but, of course, they took out all parts that weren't "Disney friendly". It's a great movie full of music, dance, comedy, and fun. The situations displayed are typical for high school seniors and not inappropriate at all. Hope this helped! :)

dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
 
Movie is awesome, totally a family movie. WATCH IT PLZ!!

waldengirl
kid, 10 years old
 
cool
I think Selena is a very good dancer and the movie is awesome!

Isabella31
kid, 10 years old
 
mustsee
Need 2 see it!!! luv isabella31

BritneyS39
teen, 15 years old
 
MY FAVE!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!

dramaqueen@hot ...
parent of 11 year old
 
Nice diseny movie
its a cute movie just like the orginal Cinderlla Story with Ms. Hilary Duff just a little different and has Selena Gomez btw very nice actress i like her oh and Drew Seeley also a very nice actor the movie is good for all ages!

hannahbug999
kid, 10 years old
 
Perfect
It is a very exiting movie to wach. U got to get up to dance.

DMfanCassy
teen, 13 years old
 
Good job Selena!!!
First off, I liked that this version of the classic tale was more for teens, but wasn't innapropriat or didn't cuss alot. They got reallyyy good actors for this movie, and that made me pretty happy! I don't think there was too much immoral containt in this movie, however I got kinda nervious when (SPOIL ALERT!) the blonde that used to be Joey's girlfriend broke into his house and was in his room with him, and no adult in the house... thankfully Joey got her out before anything nasty happened. I also liked that it taught me that even though you might have people that bring you down, you don't have to let them bring you down! YOU CAN BREAK THE CHAIN! And though there might be something you love doing, and there might be someone else next to you that is even better than you at that, still give it a try! Who ever's judging you might like you better than the professional!!!!! GREAT MOVIE!!!!! LOVE IT SO UBER MUCH! SO GO SEE IT! :)

ILoveHelloKitty12
kid, 12 years old
 
Awesome movie, but iffy for 7-year-olds
I loved this movie! It was the coolest movie ever! Although I wouldn't recommend it for children 8 and under, only because of one scene where one girl is doing a sexy dance only to try to get back in a relationship. And as for the language goes, there is on d*mn and there is one girl who says the word "freakin" 4 times in a row, but that's about it, nothing major. The main concern would be the dances and the language, but other than that, it's a cool movie for kids 10 and up!

 
Too Sexy For Kids
I watch this movie often because I love dancing and Drew Seeley is a good singer. The movie utlimately is not for kids because Selena (age 15 at the time) looks so young and yet dances so provocatively. Drew (25 at the time) looks like a grown man because he IS a grown man. There is also a bedroom scene in which he leans over Selena on the bed as though he is going to do something to her although Selena manages to negate the advance. There is also some cursing and some kissing. Overall, it just surprises me how much sexual tension there seems to be in this movie.

Dancer2257
teen, 13 years old
 
Amazing Movie! Worth Seeing!
Wow! Another great movie scored with the main actress of the film, yet again Selena Gomez. This is an amazing, inspiring twist on the real version. This teaches you to follow your dreams. In fact, I am a dancer and this movie inspired me to try harder to reach my goal to become a professional dancer when I grow up. Plus, great role models, and parts of the story that many can relate too. Recommend this movie any day, it makes my top ten list!

jpalin
adult
 
For a tween movie, it was perfectly fine. The current spin on the classic tale was interesting to see, even though it's been done before. It had nothing that the kids wouldn't expect a senior in high school to be doing...kissing boys, etc. The problem lies with the younger set - my 7 year old wanted to see it because it was Selena Gomez, and my older daughter was watching it. My 11 year old loved it...the music and the dancing especially. Of course I wish there were no kissing, or foul language, or sexy dancing. But is that realistic for a high school movie? High School Muscial did it, but for Disney to do the same thing in this might be too much to hope for. Like anything, if accompanied by a open conversation about your concerns and your family's value systems, it's fine.

FooZirc
kid, 12 years old
 
Funny and romantic.
I love it! It's a funny comedic movie and a romantic heartfelt romance at the same time.

b-ball girl 99
kid, 13 years old
 
Modern Cinderella Story
A great story! It is more modern than the actual Cinderella story. The dancing is very hip hop.

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
Unrealistic, boy this is not for me.
This is rediculous. They make teenagers look like a bunch of stuck-up idiots. I means seriously those twins that Mary lives with are just dumb. Teens would never be like that. This is probably why kids are so disrespectful towards teens these days.

justaddlaughter
parent of 6 and 9 year old
 
Great message about being yourself and not letting others who bully you get you down.
Mary is bullied by her house-mates and school-mates, but she is always true to herself. It's a great start to talking about bullying and how to handle it and why kids shouldn't do it.

emma101100
teen, 16 years old
 
Another cinderella story review
I think Another cinderella story is a brilliant film. My 10 year old daughter really enjoyed it, and I diddnt think she would. It is a really good film.

socialbutterfly411
kid, 12 years old
 
Great movie!
This movie was very good. I agree with the original rater completely. Some good role models and good messages, like never give up. I highly recommend it :)

 
Sherelle
I am a young child who has watched this and it is non-violence so kids from ages 9+ can enjoy it with family,friends or any other person you can think of and i will rate it as a PG for parental guidance aswel as U for univerisal . Children can learn lots of moves and practice at home as long as its not to dangerous in that enviroment

amccarth1
kid, 11 years old
 
amazing movie
it is a good movie for older kids who are starting to deal with mean bullies and some starting to deal with boys. It teaches them that being fame and fourtine is not all that and to steer clear of popularity because they may have more friends than you but you will probably get into a better school and be a better person than them. Also you are probably more talented and friendly than them and people are not your friend because they think your geeky and that they will not get a lot of money if they stick around them.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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