 | 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. |
Honey
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Honey is just dumb, but teens love it.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie sends mixed messages -- the language is strong for young teens including references to "hooker heels" and a Monica Lewinsky joke. There are some tense confrontations and threatened violence. Role models are confusing. Characters drink and sell drugs but in spite of the "hot" dancing, a strength of the movie is its portrayal of sexual values. Honey is very clear with her boss about boundaries and her romance with a local barber is sweet and understated.
What's the story?
Jessica Alba plays Honey, a sweet and sunny girl who teaches hip-hop to kids at the community center even though her mother tells her that she should be pursuing a career in ballet. Honey is spotted by a director of music videos (David Moscow) who makes her lead dancer and choreographer. She is just about to achieve her dream of putting her students into a video starring Ginuwine when it turns out that the video director is interested in more than her dance skills. She turns him down and he fires her. Even worse, he fires the kids and makes her tell them. Setting her sights on providing kids an alternative to thug life, Honey looks for ways to buy a building up for sale.
Is it any good?
For those who think it's been too long since a movie like Breakin' 2: Electric Boolago, or even Lambada: The Forbidden Dance, there now is HONEY, the story of a spunky girl who dazzles hip-hop superstars with her dance moves but whose dream is helping the kids in her neighborhood. Alba has a lovely smile and Joy Bryant (Antwone Fisher) adds some verve to the sassy best friend role. Hip-hop fans will enjoy seeing favorite performers like Tweet, L'il Romeo, and Missy Elliott. And the movie is very short, less than 90 minutes. This is the good news.
The bad news is that it is just dumb, way past cheesy-but-fun into the realm of From Justin to Kelly-level you-must-be-kidding. Its efforts to be hip make it as instantly out of date as if the characters used words like "groovy" and "out of sight." When Honey is under pressure to improve her choreography for one video, she gives the dancers a (presumably very expensive) break and goes for a pensive walk, where she draws inspiration from the moves of kids playing basketball and jumping rope. I'm not kidding. It wouldn't be so terrible that the plot, dialogue, and performances were so poor if the movie's reason for being -- the music and dance numbers -- had more energy and style. Worst of all, the movie fails to take advantage of the talents of performers like the glorious Lonette McKee (Jungle Fever) and Mekhi Phifer, who pretty much stand around looking embarrassed.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Honey decided what was important to her and about the answer to the question, "How come you turned out so well?" They might also want to talk about what people a few years from now will think about the styles of dance and slang in this movie.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Fun and Entertaining
This movie shows more than what people think. It shows the life of one girl trying to make it to the big top without anyone really helping her except with support. She takes charge of her life and tries to help those out on the streets become better people. In the end, she shows that kids are the ones who make the difference in the world.
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AGE
nothing wrong
there is nothing wrong w/ honey it s a dancing, fun-loving, movie
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AGE
Kids will love the hip-hop dancing....even though the film was terible
*Sigh* I don't know what to say. Jessica Alba can't act and the script should be burnt. It is like a hip-hop version of Bring It On.....without the Ra ra ra!
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AGE
HONEY
The movie HONEY is for anyone. It isn't rude, or crude, there is drugs but there is a lesson involved about the power of yourself and what you can do if you want it to happen.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 19, 2011
AGE
Pause for 8 year olds...
The sexual content is a bit over the top and the language for a PG-13. I would say a 12 personally, but anyway, I like this film. :) 10+ OK.
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AGE
all around good movie
this movie is good for many ages (8 and up) but for MATURE 8 year olds. I LOVE to dance and thats why i loved this movie. It had a good message also
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AGE
What a great movie for teens to enjoy!
hey guys! this mopvie is excellent! dont think twice about watching the great hit! there is some sad violence but yeah. hope you watch it!, its great!
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AGE
very good i love it :) x
i think it is good as it is telling people to do what you love and dont just follow a croud and it is saying that you can do anything if you put your head to it :) personaly i loved it and i always watch it and i think the dance at the ending is excellent it is amazing how talented these kids really are !! x
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Bille Woodruff |
| Cast: | Jessica Alba, Lil' Romeo, Mekhi Phifer |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 5, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | March 23, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | drug content and some sexual references |
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