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Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost (NR, 2007)

common sense media says

Young gumshoe is bossy, but adventures are fun.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the main character in this kid-paced mystery is a young girl who acts more like a teenager than a 9-year-old. She's opinionated, strong-willed, and bossy, especially around her best friend, a 12-year-old boy who usually follows her lead rather than argue with her. She also disregards the rules to follow leads on cases, and in at least one scene she actually breaks the law (she steals confidential bank documents). But on the flipside, she's determined and dedicated to what she believes is right, and she always sees things through to the end. Tweens -- especially girls -- will enjoy her adventures, and parents will be happy knowing there's little other content here to worry about.

Positive messages: Roxy is controlling and bossy toward her best friend (and tries to be toward adults), and she often disobeys her mother when she's wrapped up in sleuthing. She traipses through town by herself (against her mom's wishes), snoops through confidential files, and steals bank documents. But her actions are noble in spirit, as she's trying to save her home from destruction and reunite long-lost loves. Roxy also learns to accept the idea of her widowed mom dating again.
Violence & scariness: In one scene, a gunshot is heard, followed by a woman's scream, and a man is shown holding a shotgun that has punctured a hole in the ceiling. A boy is kidnapped and locked in a building; his friends are told that if they don't cooperate with the villains, he'll die. Ordinary sounds (bumps, creaks, branches hitting the window) are briefly implied to be made by ghosts.
Sexy stuff: A 9-year-old girl refers to a tween as her "fiancé."
Language: No cursing, but there's sporadic name-calling among kids ("dimwit" and "pumpkinhead," for example).
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about solving problems. When you're faced with a tricky "mystery," what steps do you take to work it out? How do you gather information? Who do you turn to for help? Families can also discuss Roxy. Is she a believable character? Why or why not? Why do you think she disregards the rules? Is it sometimes OK to disobey your parents if it's for the greater good? Last but not least, fans of the books the movie is based on can talk about which they like better and why.

What's the story?

What's the story?
When she moves against her will from New Jersey to the sleepy town of Serenity Falls, Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) -- a precocious, outspoken 9-year-old -- finds herself on her way to a dreaded small-town existence with her mom (Robin Brule) and her best friend, Max (Demetrius Joyette), a 12-year-old boy genius who's staying with the family while his archaeologist parents work abroad. But her feelings change at the sight of their new home, a towering historic mansion with enough intrigue to satisfy her imagination and sense of drama. When she hears rumors that the house is haunted, she throws herself into the task of learning the ghost's identity, and her sleuthing skills uncover plenty of secrets about the house -- and surprises about its past and present residents -- but they also immerse her in a secret plot to destroy her new home.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
ROXY HUNTER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MOODY GHOST (based on the novel by Tracey West) is the first installment in what promises to be a good TV mystery series for tweens -- especially girls, who will be attracted to the precocious star's spunky attitude and knack for connecting the dots to outwit the bad guys. For the most part, the movie is well-suited for its target age group, but some parents may take issue with young Roxy's domineering (often to the point of bossiness) relationship with Max, who usually follows her lead despite his better judgment. She assumes the same know-it-all attitude with adults -- both strangers and acquaintances -- who often back down and give her what she wants.

Roxy also easily justifies disregarding her mother's instructions (and societal rules) when there's a mystery to be solved. For example, in one scene, she walks to town alone despite her mom's warning to stay close to home; in another, she steals confidential bank documents. That said, there's a lot to like about this young go-getter and her brainy sidekick, and tweens are sure to enjoy her adventures and the movie's multiple plot twists.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Eleanor Lindo
Cast: Aria Wallace, Demetrius Joyette, Robin Brule
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: October 26, 2007
DVD release: February 4, 2008
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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roxy hunter
kid, 8 years old
7
 
my movies
i think that this movie is good i like it
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Yoshi Lover
kid, 11 years old
6
 
FUN TO WATCH!!!
LOVE IT!
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ben7855
kid, 12 years old
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your love ones would love it
good
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shyne786
kid, 11 years old
9
 
Roxy Hunter is not a good role model
This is a beutiful movie, about a nine year old girl named Roxy Hunter. It is a ghost movie, so it is a bit scary for young kids. It doesn't actually show the ghosts, but you can hear the noises. But Roxy is bossy, she calls people names, lies, steals, goes in forests alone, and talks to strangers, so she isn't a good role model.
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