 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Another Cinderella Story
- Review Date: September 15, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Selena Gomez brings fresh pop fun to an old tale.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
October 30, 2011
AGE
mustsee
Need 2 see it!!! luv isabella31
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
July 22, 2010
AGE
Movie is awesome, totally a family movie. WATCH IT PLZ!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 14 years old
June 23, 2011
AGE
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! :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 8 years old
August 12, 2010
AGE
cool
I think Selena is a very good dancer and the movie is awesome!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
November 1, 2011
AGE
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!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 15 years old
September 21, 2011
AGE
MY FAVE!
LOVE THIS MOVIE!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 9 years old
October 14, 2010
AGE
Perfect
It is a very exiting movie to wach. U got to get up to dance.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
April 7, 2011
AGE
Funny and romantic.
I love it! It's a funny comedic movie and a romantic heartfelt romance at the same time.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
June 7, 2011
AGE
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.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 11 year old
June 2, 2011
AGE
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!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | princesses and fairies |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Damon Santostefano |
| Cast: | Drew Seeley, Jane Lynch, Selena Gomez |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 16, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | September 16, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild sensuality and language. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
