I was SO disappointed. One of my friends and I were going to see Fame because it's kinda nice that it was a remake of an old ''famous'' movie... I am so glad we didn't go. Unfortunately, my mom grew up on the original movie- forgetting it was R- my brother thought it would be a nice surprise to get the movie for her. So we sat down and started watching it. Immediately I saw and recognized to Disney channel ''stars'' so I figured this could not be bad... I was wrong. A few minutes into it I saw a not so ''boyish'' boy to say the least. OK, I know what your thinking, so what, that's the world we live in. A few moments later I heard something that is not appropriate for a PG movie- witch is normally appropriate for 8+- if I'm not mistaken it was the ''S' word. Then I heard others. Soon I started hearing more and more. I questioned myself if this was really PG. After the ''BIG'' wave of profanity passed I saw a DISNEY star DRUNK- and she said it was to ''expand her life experience'', not the type of ideas I would want to give a teen viewer... if you catch my drift. Anyways, to my long story short, even though the rating is PG, moms, go with the original rating, R. Kassie
Fame (2009)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Teen musical remake has edgy content for a PG movie.
Themes in this movie include: dating/crushes, family relationships, friendship, growing up, honesty
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–14
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Fame (2009) was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this remake of the 1980 movie musical Fame has been heavily marketed to tweens and teens on television and online. Although it's rated PG (unlike the original, which was rated R), it feels more like a PG-13 movie, especially in regard to underage drinking (the high schoolers are shown drinking several times, and in one scene a girl gets so drunk that she throws up) and language, which includes more than a few uses of "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," and the like. The sexuality is also more obvious than in most PG movies, with several kisses and one video-taped "casting couch" make-out session. On the bright side, there's considerably less consumerism than in comparable teen-focused movies, the cast is incredibly diverse, and the underlying messages about working hard and fighting for your dreams are definitely worthwhile.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how "fame" is different now than in the '80s. With so many media outlets for getting your name "out there," is it even necessary to go through lots of special training to be discovered?
- The teens drink pretty openly at parties and clubs. Is this common behavior for teens?
- Are the parent-child relationships in the movie realistic? What about the choices that some of the characters have to make about work vs. school?
- If you've seen the original, you may want to compare the two movies. How is the music different? Which version has stronger characters?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Fame (2009)
What’s the Story?
The new FAME, like the 1980 original, follows a diverse crop of students through their years at New York City's prestigious High School for the Performing Arts, where every lunch hour turns into an impromptu jam session and every teen yearns for fame and fortune. The large ensemble includes wealthy dance queen Alice (Kherington Payne); Malik (Collins Pennie), a Harlem-bred tough who dreams of a stage career; Denise (Naturi Naughton), a classical pianist who'd rather sing hip-hop; budding music producer Victor (Walter Perez); Kevin (Paul McGill), an Iowa boy seeking ballet stardom; Joy (Anna Maria Perez de Tagle), who lands a job on Sesame Street junior year; Jenny (Kay Panabaker), a slightly uptight actress, and Marco (Asher Book), the sweet-as-pie singer who wants her to loosen up. Do they have what it takes? Some seem to, but not all of them are destined to "light up the sky like a flame."
Is It Any Good?
After seeing the updated Fame, anyone old enough to remember (remember... remember...) the original will want to listen to Irene Cara's rendition of the theme song and wax nostalgic about how that high-school musical became a cultural touchstone of the early 1980s. Sure, the 2009 version has the same premise, an equally diverse cast of newcomers, and even a supporting role by Debbie Allen -- whose famous quote from the first movie -- "You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying, in sweat" -- is played over the opening credits. The problem is, unlike the original cast of memorable misfits and prodigies, the new generation of performing students is quite bland. Yes, they're cute, and a couple seem poised for Disney flicks, primetime teen soaps, or musical careers, but it's hard to really care about any of them.
As the school's teachers, the always-excellent Kelsey Grammer (music), Bebe Neuwirth (dance), Megan Mullally (musical theater), and Charles S. Dutton (drama) are all much, much more interesting than any of the students. You almost starts hoping for an extended sequence in the faculty lounge, a la Glee. Parents and Gen-Xers hoping to hear the songs from the original film will be mostly disappointed (sorry, no "I Sing the Body Electric"), although Naughton does a lovely job with "Out Here On My Own," and Book capably delivers short covers of "Ordinary People" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." But despite a few entertaining numbers, it's hard to believe that this Fame will have anything close to the cultural impact on teens that the original did in the age of leg warmers and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts.
Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA, Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/25/2009, DVD release: 1/12/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/25/2009, DVD release: 1/12/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language
Our Members Say
See all 29 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title off for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Enjoy my little story
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Fail...
"Edgy for a pg movie"?! Haha right. Don't see this. Don't waste your time watching this. If you want to see something good, with substance, watch the original Fame. This movie features talentless post-disney stars that have no place in this movie. In the original Fame you get to know the characters, you get an insight into their life and get to see how they feel. The remake doesn't even give you time to learn the characters' names. It also is a non-realistic view to college life, New York, and performing arts. All the characters have it very easy while in the original (rated R, not PG) it shows how in college and in performing arts drugs, alcohol, and sex affect life. This movie was too cleaned up to give an accurate portrayal. Get the original and don't waste your time watching this.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Should of been PG-13, but still a great movie!
Ok, here's my review on Fame. The violence is practically nothing but two things. One is where a boy is kicked out of the school and almost jumps in front of a train. The other is a student often talks about his family's past, which is quite disturbing. The sex is all kissing. Several kissing between kids, and one that gets quite sensual. Some dances are sensual also. The drinking is more than an usual PG has to offer. One scene a girl tries to get drunk and throws up after she does it. Several kids are drinking at a party, and sometimes the teachers are there too. Lots of underage drinking. Last, the language. OK , where do I start? Here's the basics of what they said: s--t," "bulls--t," "a*s," "b***h," go***mn," "a--hole," "my God," "hell," "screw," "retarded," and a few more. Definetely one of those PG movies that expands over the rating, and deserves to be PG-13. Great for mature 11 year olds and up!
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Good but confusing
Good but my child found the story a little confusing.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Should be pg-13
I really loved the singing and dancing. This movie really teaches you that if you chase your dream you can achieve it. I do think that it should be rated pg-13 because of all of the language and kissing in it. There are some parties in it with underage drinking. As I was watching it I did question myself if it was really pg. But overall I really liked it!
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
:)
This movie was amazing! the singing and dancing was great and margo was cute! totally reccommend it BUT for ages 8 and older b/c theres some sexy dancing and a scene on a "casting couch" if u know what i mean. and some cusses. also, a major character gets drunk, and someone tries to commit suicide b/c his dreams are broken. just cause CCM says its bad, it doesnt mean it is. please watch this movie!
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
good for 14+ and maybe 13 but a "pg" movie shouldnt be like that
i like the movie personally but, i would never let my kids watch it or use such language....i have seen some languages like some britsh like my step-mom would say "bloddy hell" like on movies but i would never let them swear and yes im 10 and if my mom heard me say something like that she would beat me to a pulp and im not sure if any of you approve but a kid shouldnt curse and sure of course yea you hear it all over home,school,almost everywhere but that would be like a 50 yr old melesting a 6 yr old not something you would want to see happen to your child ......and i disapprove of someone who doesnt know right from wrong watching it
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Wow it wasbeyond amazing
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
Good For 13 year olds but younger i wouldn't do.
It was agood film but a bit to rude for a PG kids as little as 6 were coming in to watch the film.There is the kissing and what not but at one point a couple were kissing and i thought it would go alot further.The launguge isn't to appropriate and there isn't really much of a messege.But don't get me wrong if your child is about 14 then you should see it but younger no.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
TEENS
This is my favorite movie, I just love it! there is a lot of swearing because it is set in a highschool environment. however there are many good role models and the main messages is very possitive. The messages are basically to just follow your dreams, never give up pursuing your dreams, and to have fun while doing it.
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I rate this title off for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Should not be rated PG
The lanuage is very servere for a PG movie. the kissing is not appropiate especially for the audiance the movie is made for (9-12). i dont think the underage drinking is appropiate for this kind of movie. on the plus side the characters work hard to try to achieve a goal. all in all should NOT be rated PG.
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I rate this title off for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- Negative role models
crap
my please the hsm tween set but not anyone else the original was rated r this is pg says a lot right there
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great talent and singing, you will defiantly see people from Disney channel and other t.v. shows. It was a good movie. I woulden't really want a little kid to see this movie.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Despite What Review Above Says.... It Is PG-13
Great dancing, singing, talent. Though nothing really innapropriate there is an underlying 'teen' feel. You know... Slightly disorganized, but the kids are great.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Could have been PG-13
Fame is a remake from a movie made in the 1980s or something. That movie was rated R, so they had to tone it done quite a bit to make is PG. But I don't think they toned it down enough. There's a lot of sensual dancing, and a handful of language. (Some other stuff, too.) But overall, I loved the movie.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
I would only take 14 year olds or older to see this movie. However, save your money.
Highly disappointed! Saw many highlights on Nickelodian Channel that did not include the language, drugs, alchohol, sex or gun violence. We went to see it because my children are dancers. We were looking forward to a much better film!
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Should be rated PG-13
The original is so much better. There can't even be a comparison. Certain scenes were good and if they had followed along that pathway and gone edgier and darker it would have been really good, but alas they did not. It should be rated PG-13. There was a fair amount of language and a few minor kisses. But lots of provocative dancing.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Perfect for all ages.
Love it! The movie was absolutely amazing! Really enjoyed it,, didn't expect it to be this good,, but it really was awesome! Would go watch it again! :) The songs are really something,, enjoyed them,, its a very nice movie to go with either family or friends or even alone,, i rate you should goa nd watch it!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Sends good messages but should have been PG13
I LOVED IT!!!! I agree with most other people, that it should have been PG13 and deffinetly had more of a PG13 feeling about it. Language wasn't very appropriate, although I really could care less, I am fine with it and as long as I don't repeat it so are my parents. Overall, I believe it sent good messages about being who you are and 'Holding Your Dream'. It included strong characters and characters who really came out of their shell. A great movie!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 75% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
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