 | 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. |
Bedtime Stories
- Review Date: December 24, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Sandler tames his jokes for family-friendly fantasy flick.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, unlike most Adam Sandler movies, this one is actually aimed at kids, so expect a lot of interest from elementary schoolers on up. The good news is that, also unlike most Sandler movies, there aren't any crass jokes, and both language ("butt kiss" is as wild as it gets) and sexuality (a couple of fairy-tale kisses and one brief scene of a clothed man and woman in a hot tub) are mild. The violence is also minor and mostly cartoonish, although there's some gunplay in the Wild West bedtime story.
What's the story?
Adam Sandler plays Skeeter Bronson, a hotel handyman who agrees to babysit his newly divorced sister Wendy's (Courteney Cox) two kids -- with the help of Wendy's friend Jill (Kerri Russell) -- while she goes to an out-of-state job interview. While he's taking care of his niece and nephew, Skeeter begins a nightly tradition of telling bedtime stories the children contribute to, only to realize the next day that even outlandish aspects of the story are coming true. Seizing the opportunity, Skeeter uses the magical tales to get a shot at running the hotel his father once owned -- if he can prove himself worthier than the hotel's brown-nosing manager, Kendall (Guy Pearce).
Is it any good?
After a long list of crude movies that have kept Sandler secure in his reign as the king of drunken-frat boy comedies, this is his first real family film (his 2002 Hanukkah comedy Eight Crazy Nights is animated, but it's not for kids). The good news is that the movie, though not particularly original, is sure to crack up the kiddies (what other purpose does the bug-eyed guinea pig have?) -- and it's pleasant enough for parents to enjoy, too. And die-hard Sandler fans will even find a few of his signature touches -- his goofy scat-talking, a beautiful blond to ogle (Teresa Palmer), a silly sidekick (a scene-stealing Russell Brand), and even a Rob Schneider cameo.
That said, as a fantasy comedy, BEDTIME STORIES falls far short of a family classic. Cute? Yes. But memorable? Not really. It's no Princess Bride. What is remarkable is that, stripped of all his graphic humor, Sandler is capable of starring in a comedy that's appropriate for even young kids. And utlimately, it's hard not to be charmed by the message that you should never stop trying to make your dreams a reality.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how this movie is different from most of Sandler's other films. He isn't known for making family-friendly films -- why do you think he decided to make this one? Is it a success without his signature crass jokes?
Families can also discuss what makes a good fairy tale. How does the film itself, along with each bedtime story, follow the storyline of a traditional fairy tale?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
October 7, 2010
AGE
It is an awesome movie.
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Kid, 10 years old
June 19, 2010
AGE
Funny Movie
This is a funny movie that teaches you anything can happen
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Parent of 6 year old
July 27, 2010
AGE
good for old kids
The movie almost did not make it but thank god it got good imagination.
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Parent of 5 year old
July 24, 2010
AGE
good for 5+
Well it's just another average movie to me cause there were parts i like and i didn't so much.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 11, 2010
AGE
A boring plot and booger jokes ruin the fun
Adam Sandler is best known for making movies for the teen-adult audience (The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, etc.), but this time around he tries his luck at family comedy. In a whole, he fails. First of all, the movie can be fun for the kids and maybe a few preteens, but the plot is boring and there are too many snot jokes. For instance, one gross character is called "The Booger Monster" which will probably make the kids laugh. Older viewers will probably dislike Bedtime Stories, unless they can dig up the timely message of love and compassion under all the lousy humor. As far as content goes, there are some violent sequences, a few curse words, and fart jokes. Kids might be scared of a scene where a woman is surrounded by poachers. Best reserved for ages 6+.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 27, 2010
AGE
Mild Adam Sandler comedy!
This is a great family comedy without the Adam Sandler crudeness and profanity.This is a mild Sandler comedy which is very rare.So, I recommend you rent this movie to watch with the family.
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Teen, 14 years old
November 23, 2010
AGE
Perfect for all
i love this movie its funny and family freindly
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Teen, 16 years old
December 11, 2010
AGE
great
i saw this thinking it would be bad, but i really enjoyed it. not much innaproprite things, except some gross humor. 10+ because kids under will get bored
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Teen, 13 years old
June 18, 2010
AGE
Let Go And You'll Love It!
Bedtime Stories is a really nice family movie! It uses lots of imagination that kids can relate to such as raining gumballs, aliens, and more. It does have some flirting in it and if you believe that's a little over the top for your child, just speak to him/her about it, or you can always fast forward it. As someone else did say, Adam Sandler is better at comedies for pre-teens and older. But this family movie is pretty good if you can let yourself go and remember how you used to be when you were a kid.
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Parent of 5 year old
June 1, 2010
AGE
ok for 5+
A bit of a shock as I don't normally like stories but this one did do well.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Adam Shankman |
| Cast: | Adam Sandler, Courteney Cox, Keri Russell |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 25, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | April 7, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild rude humor and mild language. |
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