 | 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. |
Friday
- Review Date: June 27, 2010
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1995
Common Sense Media says
Ice Cube's drug- and profanity-filled 'hood cult classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is a drug- and profanity-filled cult classic written by and starring the rapper Ice Cube; it's likely that most teens will have heard of it and will be interested in seeing it. One major character is a comical pot dealer who smokes his own inventory all day; this leads to a shootout, but an even more prominent scene is the brutal, climactic fist-fight between Cube and the block's mountain-sized bully. The movie has been accused of misogyny, and not without reason; the women are mostly either sexual objects or objects of scornful humor. It is also filled with sex talk, drug talk, and non-stop profanity, as well as insults of a racial and sexual nature. However, aside from all this, Friday is genuinely interesting in many ways, and is more culturally and historically notable than it may appear. It spawned two sequels and an animated TV series.
What's the story?
It's Friday in the 'hood. Craig (Ice Cube) has just lost his job (on his day off) and now has nothing to do but hang out with his friend, a comical drug dealer named "Smokey" (Chris Tucker). As the day passes, they gossip about the kooky neighbors, avoid the block bully Deebo ("Tiny" Lister), and smoke a little pot. Eventually, they must come up with $200 to pay back Smokey's boss, or else face his retribution. Meanwhile, Craig has developed a little crush on Debbie (Nia Long) and finds he must stand up to Deebo to protect her honor. Can Craig learn how to be a "man" without resorting to using the gun he has hidden in his room?
Is it any good?
Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), FRIDAY is fairly unique in the history of African-American cinema. Though it depends partly on the usual toilet humor, it does not have the same hyped-up, eager-to-please vibe of most other comedies. It's uncharacteristically laid-back with a refreshing lack of plot mechanics. This, plus the one-day, one-neighborhood setting, allows the characters to flourish in a more organic way. In a way, it's almost on a level with such classics as Charles Burnett's Killer of Sheep (1977) and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989).
That said, the movie also comes with a troublesome air of misogyny; most of the women characters are seen either as sexual objects or objects of scornful humor. It's also not particularly laugh-out-loud funny, as most of the humor is at the expense of other characters. In general, the overall behavior of the people in this neighborhood is
not so great, but there are still glimpses of goodness that make it appealing and worthwhile for older teens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the drugs in the characters' lives. Did Craig learn his lesson after he smoked pot? Should he have given in when he didn't want to? Does Smokey learn any lesson about his drug use?
How did the film's violence make you feel? Was it thrilling, or did it have a harsher effect?
How did you feel about the women in the film? Did any of them seem like strong people, or were they stereotypes?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
i love this movie i cherish it i have seen it sooo many times i cant even estimate. its hilarious very funny. there's language drug use and some crude references and a fight but nothing you don't see on TV these days i say 12 and up if there mature.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
BEST
This movie is the best movie ever! Its a must see!!! :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Actually really funny
Not for kids, but great for older teens! The premise is very simple, but Rush Hour's Chris Tucker and the usually serious but funny Ice Cube deliver great performances and make this small movie memorable.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
July 6, 2011
AGE
Good movie, but filled with profanities and violence.
So-so movie, but not great for kids.
Also, I find it funny no one else has said this:
Which seat should they taaaaaaaaaaaaaake?
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
16 and up.
friday is a great comedy movie good enough for your older teens and parents you need to know that friday has a lot of violence some sex talk and some sexual content and constant strong language used and a lot of drugs used.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
OK for teenagers.
a good movie for teens and older.Has Violence,Positive role model,Sex,Language,Consumerism,and Drinking,Drugs,& Smoking.
OK for kids 13+
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 11, 2012
AGE
maby not back in 1999 it wasnt good for kids
but today tons of kids live in the hood and love movies like this. One of the most memorable (by most people in the world) movies of all time and the final fight scene is really good. Some might say 'OMG BLACKS ARE SO STUPID GHETTO DUMB" but whatever, this movie is good and they need to stop being racist over a movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | F. Gary Gray |
| Cast: | Chris Tucker, Ice Cube, Nia Long |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 26, 1995 |
| DVD release date: | March 2, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | pervasive strong language and drug use, and for a brutal fight |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
