 | 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. |
Fat Albert
- Review Date: March 19, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
A sweet but small, so-so movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is downright innocent and good hearted. There's nothing of concern even though the high school setting will make it more interesting for tweens. This is a movie older and younger siblings can see together (although parents, you won't be too interested...).
What's the story?
Hey hey hey! Fat Albert is back. This live action-film is based on Bill Cosby's comedy and the 1970's animated television show. A lonely teenaged girl named Doris (Kyla Pratt) watches the Fat Albert cartoon show after school. When her tear falls onto the remote control, Fat Albert knows he must help her. So he climbs right out of the television set and into her living room, and the whole gang comes along (Rudy, Mushmouth, Dumb Donald, Weird Harold, and Bill and his pesky little brother Russell). Dressed in their fly 70's outfits, they're completely befuddled by newfangled inventions like soda can flip-tops and cell phones. Present-day characters are mostly equally befuddled by the gang's 70's animation qualities (Fat Albert wins a race with a track star using his cartoon glide/shuffle and Dumb Donald cannot take off that face-covering hat because he is not sure there is anything underneath). But some, including Doris' sweet and pretty foster sister, are taken with their old-school charm.
Is it any good?
The story-telling in FAT ALBERT is so gentle that it barely registers, made up of disconnected moments almost as thought it was limited to the brief skit-like segments of the old cartoon show. What little narrative momentum builds up is quickly dissipated without being resolved. Music video star and valet/stylist to rap stars Farnsworth Bentley has a nice cameo as a clothing store salesman, but it is unlikely that his participation will matter to the intended audience for this film.
Cosby appears as himself to talk to Fat Albert and in a poignant epilogue at the grave of the real Fat Albert, again not something that will be very meaningful to the children in the audience. The children might also be concerned about why Doris' mother and father are not around and what happened to her foster sister's family. As Fat Albert and his friends stay in the real world too long, they start to fade away. But by then the movie itself seems faded. The film feels muddled and unsure of its audience, as out of its time as Fat Albert and the gang.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how outward things like looks and money matter when it comes to popularity and the importance of a good inner voice -- even if it comes as Fat Albert.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
i liked it but my mom hated it. she said she didn't like the cartoon sceries.(i've never saw it accually!!!) annyway the movie was good. i saw it when i was like 8 or 9 so good for that croud.
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AGE
Good family film
I thought it was a bit slow, a bit boring, and poorly acted. BUT, it was a
cute story line that the kids enjoyed.
They add in a little of the old cartoon, so even the little ones were entertained. It has a nice theme that encourages kids to do their best. I wouldn't pay full price to see it--go to the matinee!
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AGE
Hey Hey Hey This Movie was A OK!
The move was very good and exciting. I went to see it with my aunt and cousins aged 7 to 12. We all liked it. I don't think younger than 7 year old kids would really understand the movie. Words like "Yo" and "Wuz-up?" were used a little too much.
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AGE
Funny
There are some funny parts but mostly it is a for ages 6-11. My 10 year old brother loves it.
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Kid, 9 years old
November 16, 2011
AGE
Fat Albert
It's 50/50 with stupid scenes
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Kid, 12 years old
December 29, 2009
AGE
Cute, Funny Flick!
I say fi ve and up. This has great messages and role models. But that dude uses yo and whats up a little too much. Fat Albert is great. I have the movie and have watched it at least 12 times. HEY HEY HEY!
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AGE
You're Kidding, Right?
I can not believe Bill Cosby would put his name anywhere near this film.
The old cartoons were wonderful, this is nothing but a "moneygrab."
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| Topics: | friendship |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Joel Zwick |
| Cast: | Aaron Carter, Kenan Thompson, Omarion Grandberry |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 25, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | March 22, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | momentary language |
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