 | 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. |
Josie and the Pussycats
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Movie rates itself out of an ideal audience.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that without the rough language that secured this movie's PG-13 rating, the ideal audience for this movie would be that neglected category of 7-12 year old girls, who might find it fun to see Barbie dolls come to life and who might find the message of loyalty and independence empowering. But the language gives it a sour overtone that makes it inappropriate for that group as well.
What's the story?
Josie (Rachel Leigh Cook), Val (Rosario Dawson), and Melanie (Tara Reid) are an all-for-one and one-for-all band, playing the Riverdale bowling alley and dreaming of the big time. They are discovered by record producer Wyatt Frame (Alan Cummings), who signs them without even hearing them play. It turns out that it does not matter what they sound like. Wyatt and his boss, Fiona (Parker Posey) use pop music only as a cover for their plan of total world domination. They have perfected a system of subliminal messages that force teenagers to buy whatever they tell them to.
Is it any good?
There is a way to put a little post-modern edge on a cheesy series from the childhood of today's 20-somethings. But that requires a wit and complexity that is far beyond the folks who put JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS together. Their idea of making it appealing to teenagers is to have one character explain that she is there "because I'm in the comic book!" and to make the band's name into a double entendre. And the half-hearted lesson about the importance of thinking for yourself and the evils of the military-industrial complex are smirkingly undercut with the greatest cacophony of product placement in the history of the movies. There are issues of Vogue with less advertising than we have to watch in this movie.
There are a couple of funny jokes, especially when Fiona explains what happens to pop stars who don't go along with her plans (they end up on VH1's "Behind the Music") and when Tara Reid's real-life fiancé, MTV-hunk Carson Daly, chases her around a set trying to kill her. Posey and Cummings are always watchable. And the music is surprisingly good, well-produced and catchy. But the Pussycats are dreary, especially the lackluster Cook. We know Reid can do better, but with the thankless task of appearing as a girl so dumb that she sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" in the shower, dropping the soap every time she claps her hands, she has an impossible task.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why teenagers seem to want to conform, and how they can make sure that they decide what they like and don't like and want and don't want based on what is right for them and not on what the rest of the group is doing. They should also talk about the messages we all get about what to buy and how we respond to them.
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AGE
Done on purpose...
Did any of the reviewers actually understand this movie? The BIG punchline at the end of the movie explains why there are product placements throughout the entire movie... and if you missed that clue, watch the director's commentary. Yes, there are product placements, but that is the POINT of the movie.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 4, 2010
AGE
this rating PG
yeah and i don't think josie and pussycats is rated PG-13 its crazy
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AGE
One huge commercial
From start to finish, it's like one commercial big spoof on MTV and all of the Pop artists of the world. Most jokes are somewhat funny, often mildley bland. If you're not a fan or haven't read the comic books which this movie is based on, you might not even want to try to understand it.
Cheesy pop-rock music fills the air, quick paced action and lots of strong language make the movie a little less than cheese.
Bottom line: young girls may love it, adults may find it annoying.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 5, 2010
AGE
pu55y cat doolls is better
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AGE
Fantastic movie, brings back memories
I first saw this movie when I was like 10, and I LOVED IT! This is one of my all time guilty pleasure movies. The music is great and I still love all the songs on the soundtrack! This movie is really likable especially if you're really into pop music. As for language and other iffy stuff? The language is a bit raunchy at times but nothing like the language used in today's PG-13 movies. And it really depends on what you as parents consider to be "raunchy" language. Watching this at 10 years old I really didn't catch on to too much of the sexual innuendo. Of course now I do, but as I said, nothing in his movie is nearly as bad as today's PG-13 movies. So if you're kid is mature and wants to watch this movie let them! I agree with Commonsense! 11 and up!
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AGE
I have used parts of this movie when teaching students about product placement. This movie is chock full of product placement! Great example for Mass Marketing class and easy for kids to spot.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 7, 2010
AGE
WRONNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
NOT REALLY A PG-13 MOVIE.
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AGE
Product placement Product placement Product placement
So much consumerism and it gets VERY annoying VERY fast. This movie was just one big commercial! In the opening scene the boy band is in a Target airplane. There are just banners of brands like Kodak and MANY more. In one scene the blonde girl is seen with McDonals. Way too much consumerism.
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AGE
KOKIRIGORONTIME
ENORMOUSLY WHAT THE HECK????I It's an awesome movie but no consumerism??? It advertises coke, McDonalds, target, steve maden, and oh-so-many stores???? one girls room is all made out of target symbols and the bathroom is covered with mcdonalds! anyways! OMG CLOUDY WITH THE CHANCE OF MEATBALLS SUUUUUCCCCKKKS!!!! AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY SO ROCKS??? PEEEERCY JACKSON!!! *please read percy jackson first* i am a half blood people say it's not true so i decided not to tell anyone except my bffs, peeps in da computa and my other half blood fends! I like the battle of the labyrinth but sea of monsters and last olympian rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ELEVEN BIRTHDAYS NOOO! And here's a big advertisiment for the clique: The clique movie really rocks buy it buy it buy it buy it buy it (this is a subliminal message like they say, in Josie and the pussycats) buy it buy it buy it buy it NOW!!! And wanna look just like annabeth buy my blowdrier and check my profile if you want to know something awesome. No concerners on this movie worried parents.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Harry Elfont |
| Cast: | Rachael Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, Tara Reid |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 11, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | August 14, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language and mild sensuality |
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