Big Time Movie

  • Review Date: March 10, 2012
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2012
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Boy band tips hat to Beatles in fun, family-friendly film.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie starring the tween-fave cast of Nickelodeon's hit show Big Time Rush makes for fun family entertainment. The squeaky-clean content invites a range of ages, and the movie manages to include a little something for everyone, including parents, who will chuckle at its allusions to classic spy movies (as well as modern parodies like Austin Powers) and who will most appreciate the band's renditions of Beatles classics like "Help!" and "A Hard Day's Night." Expect some traditional weapons, as well as high-tech spyware (cell phone guns, dart pens, etc.), but the only injuries come from tranquilizer guns that knock out their victims for short periods. You don't have to already be a fan of Big Time Rush or their TV series to jump right into this fun-filled comedy, but if your kids aren't followers already and take a liking to the charismatic cast, they may want to add the show to their repertoire.

  • The movie intends to entertain rather than to educate.
  • There's a clear good-vs.-evil storyline throughout the movie, and the two sides are clearly defined, even though the bad guys' intentions aren't truly harmful. Potentially dangerous scenarios are presented as comedy, but the movie's lighthearted nature ensures that it's a natural part of the plot.
  • The guys risk their own success to help save the world, but they're mostly left to their own devices to do so. Adults are busy with their own endeavors and don't oversee the teens' actions. Adult villains are cast as hapless and bumbling, thereby allowing them to be outsmarted by the novice spies.
  • Some pratfalls, martial arts-style fighting, and weapon use, but injuries only result from tranquilizer guns.
  • Mild flirting between teens culminates in one kiss.
  • "Sucks" is as strong as it gets.
  • Big Time Rush is a big name among tweens, and the band/cast counts two albums -- plus this movie's soundtrack -- and a hit TV show among its accomplishments. The soundtrack includes original songs by the band, as well as a handful of Beatles hits.

What's the story?

Nickelodeon's talented boy band hits the big time with hilariously unexpected results in BIG TIME MOVIE. The story opens as Kendall (Kendall Schmidt), James (James Maslow), Carlos (Carlos Pena Jr.), and Logan (Logan Henderson) jet off to London to kick off their first world tour -- but a bag swap at the airport gives them possession of a potentially dangerous device called "The Beetle." Suddenly they're thrust into a high-stakes tug-of-war between the villainous Sir Atticus Moon and British intelligence agents, not to mention the beautiful and courageous Penny Lane, who's on a mission to rescue her father from Moon's grasp. All bets are off as the guys turn spies to save the world from a nefarious plot, risking their tour's success in the process.


Is it any good?

 

Strap in for a fast-paced adventure on the coattails of this fresh-faced foursome, who adapt to their comical undercover agent personas as naturally as they sing in harmony. The guys bring their trademark charisma to roles that pay homage to the original Fab Four's first two comical films, and they do pretty impressive renditions of classic Beatles songs. Mix in allusions to the shagadelic British spy parody Austin Powers, and this makes for a surprisingly appealing comedy for the whole family.

Even those who aren't already familiar with Big Time Rush will take an immediate liking to the talented teens thanks to their onscreen chemistry. Their vocal talent has propelled them to the top of fans' charts, and they don't miss a beat in incorporating the movie's soundtrack -- which features six Beatles songs as well as their own originals -- into the story. The result? If your kids aren't already fans, they might take new interest in the guys' TV and musical endeavors after seeing this movie, but it's a risk worth taking if you're looking for some family-friendly entertainment.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about comedy. Did you find Big Time Movie funny? How does it compare to parodies of the same genre you've seen? How does it poke fun at other movies?

  • Kids: Why are so many TV shows and movies featuring musical stars these days? Does the musical component improve the quality of shows like Austin & Ally, Big Time Rush, and Victorious? Does it influence your musical preferences to have your favorite TV stars performing during these shows?

  • What, if anything, does this movie have to say about friendship and group dynamics? Is there a clear leader among the bandmates? Do all of the friends play equal roles in the story as well as on the performance stage? How do your experiences on teams or within peer groups compare to what you see here?


This review of Big Time Movie was written by
Kid, 8 years old
March 20, 2012
 
who could make a movie better than this?!
Good movie p.s it is not a show!
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Teen, 15 years old
March 10, 2012
 
h
good t.v show adaption movie
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Adult
March 24, 2012
 
Pros and cons
So I saw the G rating and figured it should be ok for my 5 and 7 year olds. Generally, it was fine, but there were a lot of people being shot by tranquilizer guns and also some implied animal violence with the cat. As for positive role models, the boys are heroes, but their sister is trying to get her mom to marry up for money and status, and the mom goes along with it, which is a horrible message for young girls. However, my kids loved the music!
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Parent of 8 year old
March 10, 2012
 
Big Time Fun
fun movie - in the BTR style, somewhat slapstick and campy, but much better done than the show. The humor was great, and the songs really made it even more fun. My son loved it!

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Kid, 11 years old
March 27, 2012
 
Big Time Movie is a little violent
big time movie has some in it Violence but it is fine for 7 and up
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Parent
March 20, 2012
 
It is awesome!!!
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Adult
March 18, 2012
 
wow
i know as old as i am i probabley should not have enjoyed this movie but i watched it with my 8 year old sister and we both loved it from start to finish funny "kattie is just too cute and hilarious in the movie ' heck i thought pretty mutch everyone was hilarious in this movie 'except for gestovo who i hate on the show as it is and nothing personal i just find the charactor loud and anoying so therefore i realy hate this show but however i loved this movie and that is saying alot 'spoiler alert' ps some parents may need to watch this movie with there smaller children due to the plot revolving around spies and a disturbing seen in wich kattie gets kidnaped by the villan' end of spoiler. so just be careful with smaller children make sure they can handle some actoin and some tence sceens before lettin them watch alone but then agin this movie is so good i think you should watch it with them anyway just a thought happy viewng your frend dr dew
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Parent
March 17, 2012
 
Today's Mokees
I compare this favorably with the Monkees, which were big in my youth. Similar zaniness, lovable characters, wide range of comedy mixed together so parents and youth can enjoy together, and surprisingly good music.

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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2012
 
Not such a bad movie afterall
As a rusher myself, I love BTR! I thought it was okay and I did like it a little. There are lots of funny parts like when Logan has a bad day. I still like BTR, the movie, not that much.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 6, 2012
 
So-so with this.
Not what I expected. Not as good as the show, and the spy theme kinda ruins it.

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This review of Big Time Movie was written by
Topics:adventures, music and sing-along
Studio:Nickelodeon
Director:Savage Steve Holland
Cast:James Maslow, Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson
Genre:Comedy
DVD release date:August 28, 2012

This review of Big Time Movie was written by
 

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