 | 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. |
Fred: The Movie
- Review Date: September 17, 2010
- NR
- Genre: Comedy
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
YouTube star's movie is fraught with disaster for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie centers on popular YouTube character Fred Figglehorn -- who's a huge hit with kids, though most adults find him very irritating. Yes, Fred's irritating mannerisms, toddler-like tantrums, and high-pitched voice will grate on parents' nerves ... but that's actually nothing compared to how they'll feel about the movie's iffy messages. Fred's obsession with his crush, Judy, borders on stalking and voyeurism, and he's often the subject of bullying, in both the classic and the cyber sense. If that's not enough, factor in the multiple instances of pseudo-cursing (like "gammit"), and it's clear that this is a movie for impressionable tweens to avoid.
What's the story?
FRED: THE MOVIE chronicles the desperate attempts of social outcast Fred Figglehorn (Lucas Cruikshank) to locate his longtime crush, Judy (Pixie Lott), after her family moves away from the house next door. Fred's journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns, but his resolve to find her and tell her how he feels keeps him trekking along. Once they're face to face, however, he discovers that his feelings might not be reciprocated, so he hatches a plan to change his downtrodden social status.
Is it any good?
If you've never heard of Fred Figglehorn, you're not alone -- but chances are your tweens and teens have. Cruikshank first garnered Internet fame with short episodes on YouTube centered on the suspenders-wearing oddball he created. If your kids have seen the shorts, then they won't be surprised by Fred's irritating voice, hyperactivity, and juvenile tantrums -- but newcomers might be put off by the over-the-top star.
And parents will have plenty of axes to grind beyond Fred's annoying persona. Not only does the movie glorify Fred's disturbing obsession with unsuspecting Judy (he tracks her movements and admits to watching her in her house through his bedroom window), it's also got lots of substitute cursing. Plus, kids bully one another in the physical, psychological, and cyber senses, and Fred's attempts to win popularity illuminate the fragile nature of relationships among tweens and teens. In short, the movie makes light of some serious issues faced by this impressionable age group, and its messages fly in the face of responsible behavior.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about relationships. What makes a relationship "healthy" or "unhealthy"? What should you do if your interest in someone isn't reciprocated? What are your family's rules about dating?
Tweens: Did you find this movie funny? What did you think of the characters? Did you like Fred before watching this movie? How did you first hear about him?
What instances of bullying did you see in the movie? Have you ever seen similar situations in real life? What can kids do to avoid this kind of thing?
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AGE
I am sad that Nick can rate this movie "G". Let's see - spin the bottle, drunk mom who is passed out, throwing up, making out in a closet, gammit, bully scenes, next level with girls, naked man on the toilet, etc... Are you kidding me? I have a 7 and 9 year old, Our country disappoints me every day. What's next?
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AGE
Dumber Than Dumb.
So this movie was built up for the longest time and I was so excited. After watching it I was extremely disappointed. Fred was good on Youtube but this movie is just trying too hard. It's not funny and, if anything, is just inaproppraite. He says gammit but I swear he's saying da-mmit because it really sounds like it and he makes a reference to the "d word." Not funny or appropriate. don't waste your time.
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AGE
Nick is CLEARLY not trying to appeal to any audience under 13 with this awful movie. We had to turn it off within the first 20 minutes after Fred repeatedly used the word "Gammit"; in place of "the D word" (like younger kids can't figure THAT out) The mother is an awful role model, as well. Seriously, why even air this movie during prime time and why market it to death during shows that ARE appropriate for the younger aged kiddos?? Horrible decision from a parenting point of view, Nick. Horrible.
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AGE
Another example of the horrible Nickelodeon programming. Avoid at all costs.
This movie is awful. Pure and simple. But if you have managed to keep your children from knowing who Luis Cruikshank is, and his awful little alter ego Fred Figglehorn, this movie will lead them into further discovery.
Fred Figglehorn is the dysfunctional character created by Cruikshank. Fred, in his previous YouTube videos is a 6 year old boy. Living in a trailer with his Grandmother. His Father is in prison for murder, and his Mother is an habitual substance abuser. This obviously twisted view of the "real world" may be explained by Cruikshank's home schooling. Who knows.
What is obvious is that the character of Fred has no positive traits. While children need to be exposed to the dark side of reality from time to time, exposure to such an obviously twisted world view is not good.
Unless you home school your children because the world is filled with drunks and murderers. Then this is the show for you.
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AGE
Pray harder for our youth
Absolutely terrible. What kind of message is this movie trying to make? Let's be shallow, poke fun at people, wear so much makeup it looks like the girls should be in a broadway play or walking the street? Oh, just love the drunk mother hanging around in her robe and night gown...what a horrible portrayal of parenting...just an all around bad message. Time to pray harder for our kids....
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AGE
Stupid for any age.
Affter 10 mintues we turned it off. What a waste of time. Hated it
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AGE
OH MY GAMMIT! THAT MOVIE WAS SO HACKIN AWESOME!
WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!
I loved how Fred was portrayed as a possibly psychotic maniac that has no judgement or self-control. That sounds bad, but to me, it made the movie much better! I've always been a fan of crazy people in movies. After Fred goes through all that trouble to find Judy, he vomits on her, and Kevin posts a video of it online. Then, there was a party with Fred and Bertha, which was so fun to watch that I jumped off of my couch and started dancing, and it ended with a happy ending. It went EXACTLY how I expected it to go, but still, I LOVED IT!!
However, it was not G rated. I'd give it PG for crude and suggestive humor, mild language, and some bullying.
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AGE
Trashy, any way you look at it!
I CANNOT believe this movie is rated "G" for General audiences!!!!! BE AWARE, VIEW WITH CARE even "G" ratings!!
I found it to be TOTALLY unacceptable for BOTH of my children (ages 10 and 12)!
It had some funny parts in the beginning (to draw the kids in).
It went DOWNHILL, fast, from there!!
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Kid, 12 years old
September 24, 2010
AGE
A bad character just got worse, AND inappropriate!
I hate it. I couldn't stand this character when he cameod on ICarly. He IS irratating. 20 minutes into the movie and I was already smoking mad over all the same issues you listed above. Very well put, by the way. Two thumbs down! Shame on Nickalodeon.
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AGE
A bad character just got worse, AND inappropriate!
I hate it. I couldn't stand this character when he cameod on ICarly. He IS irratating. 20 minutes into the movie and I was already smoking mad over all the same issues you listed above. Very well put, by the way. Two thumbs down! Shame on Nickalodeon.
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| Topics: | misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Clay Weiner |
| Cast: | Jennette McCurdy, Lucas Cruikshank, Pixie Lott |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 83 minutes |
| DVD release date: | October 5, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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