 | 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. |
John Tucker Must Die
- Review Date: November 13, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Sketchy high school revenge comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that they'll have to do some course correction after their teens see this movie -- which they'll all want to do. If your kids think this is how to relate to the opposite sex, they'll never find true love. The almost constant sexual references -- both visual (mostly girls in scant costumes) and verbal (slang for genitals and activities) -- are hormonally age appropriate but not recommended as healthy teen interaction. Sketchy behaviors revolve around a high school basketball star who dates multiple girls; the girls seek revenge by humiliating him in public. Their strategies involve crass gender stereotypes (girls get the boy to behave and dress like a "girl," assuming this is a bad thing). Characters drink alcohol.
What's the story?
In JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE, John (Jesse Metcalfe) is stereotypical big man on campus, basketball star, and pathological cheater. Three of John's most recent squeezes -- head cheerleader Heather (Ashanti), blond techie Beth (Sophia Bush), and dark-haired-vegan Carrie (Arielle Kebbel) -- decide to teach him a lesson. So, they recruit new student Kate (Brittany Snow) as bait. Apparently damaged by her "totally hot" mom's (Jenny McCarthy) bad experiences with men, Kate agrees to seduce John and then dump him harshly. Obviously, this is a bad idea. Deploying the latest technology (bra-mounted cameras, mics, and monitors), not to mention mega-doses of estrogen, the girls repeatedly confront their target's strangely immutable popularity: When John cries in public, girls love his sensitivity; when he dons a thong, boys line up to wear them too, as it demonstrates their own avant-garde taste.
Is it any good?
Beginning with the fact that every "student" is visibly too old to be in high school, this film is out of joint. Its plot is drawn from any number of sources, including Mean Girls and The Perfect Man, with a dash of Heathers as well. The result is that Betty Thomas' movie strains to be sweet but also cynical, without satisfying on either count.
The main characters constantly indulge in sex-chatter and mildly trashy behavior, giddily exploring their deceitful powers. (Ostensibly, this is what it means to be an adult, as Kate's mother's experiences suggest.) Kate does meet an honest boy she likes but treats him badly as she pursues her aim to "get" John. The fact that the guy is John's younger brother seems an unnecessary complication: oh the insidiousness of high school comedies! Though everyone supposedly learns the value of honesty, the film closes with the song that spells out their priorities: "I want you to want me." The poor students in this high school are caught up, no matter which way they turn.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether this film presents a realistic depiction of cheating boyfriends and vengeful girlfriends. And what about revenge in general -- is it ever acceptable? Does John deserve to be put in his place? And while we're on reality checks -- whose mom looks like Jenny McCarthy? More seriously, though, what about the relationship between the mother and daughter? Does that bring up any hot spots with your own teens?
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AGE
daddy long legs 12 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this movies preety good its not bad so let your kids go see it!!!!!!
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AGE
Actually...
I took my 11 year old and 13 year old daughters to see this with some friends. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought. Most of the "inappropriate" stuff was already in the movie previews. My daughters thought it was hilarious and it didn't have alot of trashy stuff in it. Definely for kids over 11 or older. My daughters enjoyed it!
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AGE
Good for teens and up who need a laugh!
Loved it. One of the funniest movies i've ever seen! Some parts have a little grown up material but nothing too bad. It has a good message saying that you can choose to be invisible or get yourself out there!
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AGE
i LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
awsum movie!!! it rox my sox off!!!!
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AGE
good for all age groups that can understand it
I think it is a great movie but if you have to explain to your kids that they can't do the think=gs in the movie then you should both be accepted into a mental institute
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AGE
Good teen movie!
A good movie for teens, but not for kids under 14.
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AGE
idiocy
I can't think of a worse message to send to my teenage girls. This movie promotes casual teenage sex as fun, normal, and mom-approved, not to mention lying, sneaking, and complete autonomy of teenagers. One more idication of why so many teens are having a hard time these days.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Betty Thomas |
| Cast: | Brittany Snow, Jesse Metcalfe, Sophia Bush |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 28, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | November 14, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content and language |
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