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Mr. Troop Mom

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Made-for-Nickelodeon movie is so-so but fun for tweens.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    No overt educational content, but kids will ultimately take away positive social lessons.
  • Messages:

    Characters learn lessons about teamwork, problem solving, and family relationships, and their attitudes are transformed by the end of film, but there's a lot of poor behavior on display until that point.

What to watch out for

  • Role models:

    Although most of the characters either mend their ways or get their comeuppance in the end, their behavior through much of the movie isn't exactly stellar. A young teen tricks her babysitter into doing her homework, talks back, and is extremely disrespectful to her workaholic/clueless father. Opposing cliques of girls are hurtful to one another, both in words and actions. Parents cheat on competition, tell white lies, and sneak around camp rules. There's also some stereotyping.
  • Violence & scariness:

    There's a food fight, plus two adult women spar (but don't seem to make any physical contact) and there are lots of cartoonish pratfalls off heights and into mud, with no long-term consequences. Paintball-type guns are used to shoot goo.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Flirtatious single mom; girls talk about but don't act on adolescent crushes.
  • Language:

    Very mild bathroom talk by Dad.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Mr. Troop Mom was written by Nancy Davis Kho

Parents need to know that the central character's mom is dead, and her father is so busy with his work that a babysitter plays the parent role at first. A dramatic accident looks bad but turns out to be a side note. Kids are teased by adults for not being able to swim. Some people may take offense at the stereotypes (funny accent, karate moves) attributed to the Asian babysitter.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how hard Naomi has to work to get her father's attention. Are there situations in which you think your parents could do more to get involved with your life? Would you want them to be as involved as Mr. Serrano becomes?
  • Were there any plot developments that surprised you?
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More on Mr. Troop Mom

What’s the Story?

As a made-for-Nickelodeon movie, MR. TROOP MOM is a comedy that pulls out the stops for laughs from its tween audience. Eddie Serrano (George Lopez) is the widowed dad of Naomi (Daniela Bobadilla), and his focus on work instead of family has let Naomi run the roost at home. A series of unfortunate events puts Eddie in charge of his daughter's four-person team at a multi-day mountain camp competition, "The Spring Classic." The ultra-competitive behavior of the other teams proves a formidable match, as Eddie doggedly tries to help his daughter's team win and to reassert a loving fatherly bond in the process.

Is It Any Good?

Mr. Troop Mom won't win awards for breaking new ground in plot surprises. There's a rebellious daughter, a clique of "mean girls," an over-the-top drill sergeant of a camp director, and a make-or-break competition that requires the girls to overcome their differences and work together. The Serrano family dynamics include a manipulative daughter, a wholly inattentive dad, and a babysitter (Elizabeth Thai) ready to amp up any conflict that arises, and it's all chalked up to the missing maternal influence.

But as family fare goes, this is a decent film, with its message of figuring out the right problems to solve and finding ways to be family. Lopez is good as the hapless dad, but his funniest moments come when he is allowed to riff, as he does on his supposed love of camping. For all her rebelliousness, Naomi is a decent kid who has surrounded herself with a supportive group of friends. And while Jane Lynch nearly pops a vein as Ms. Hulka, the militaristic camp director, there's no one else who could have played the role as memorably.

Movie Details

Studio: Warner Premiere, Director: William Dear
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/23/2009, DVD release: 6/23/2009
MPAA Rating: G

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 2.0

    An unfunny tv movie

    Not very funny. The jokes fall flat most of the time, but George Lopez tries his best. Safe to watch for the whole family; just don't expect them to laugh.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    ^.^V

    very good movie for the whole family, great moral lesson and very hilarious

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    I saw a sneak preview and the kids adored this movie as I did. It has a great message and is FUNNY!!!! George Lopez is at his comedic best..great physical comedy. It is a movie that both girls and boys will like.

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