 | 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. |
She's the Man
- Review Date: July 16, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Cute but crass comedy for young teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that as Viola pretends to be a boy, some situations arise where her male roommate's evolving affection for her borders on homoerotic. There are some sexual references (references to genitals) and mild language. There is some crass humor (one involves tampons) and some borderline jokes (divorced mom considers dating daughter's boyfriend).
What's the story?
Based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, SHE'S THE MAN centers on Viola, who hits a major road bump when she learns her high school girls' soccer team has been cut for lack of funding. When she asks to try out for the boys' team, the coach tells her flat out, "Girls can't be boys." With no support from her boyfriend, Justin (Robert Hoffman) or her mom (Julie Hagerty), Viola finds a way to takes her brother's place at his new high school, Ilysia. Outfitted with a short wig and briefly trained on how to be a boy, Viola-as-Sebastian rooms with Duke (Channing Tatum) and makes the soccer team. Viola soon develops a crush on Duke, who likes their classmate Olivia (Laura Ramsey), who in turn develops an interest in Viola-as-Sebastian. As the romantic confusion escalates, so do Viola's frantic efforts to maintain her masquerade. In a frenzied climax at a Carnival festival, quick-change-artist Viola attends as herself (flirting with Duke) and Sebastian (advising Duke as he pursues Olivia). All the while, Viola-as-Sebastian avoids taking showers with her teammates, finagles her way out of a hazing ritual, and proves her worth on the soccer field.
Is it any good?
Cute, crass, and happily unbelievable, SHE'S THE MAN is buoyed by Amanda Bynes' vivacious performance as a girl who pretends to be a boy. Increasingly unwieldy as the plot threads must be sorted out, the film relies heavily on the delightful Bynes (when she's not on screen for a few minutes, the energy sags considerably). Once Viola absorbs her boy-lessons, she finds it hard to be a girl, in scenes that go overboard: She gnaws at her food, straddles her chair, fights with fellow debutantes in the ladies' room. Eventually, she learns to be "herself."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about gender roles and the limits of gender-based expectations. How are girls and boys trained to behave in specific ways? How does Viola come to see that lying to her mother, new friends, and eventual boyfriend is not the best way to make her point about gender equality? Families could also check out Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, upon which this movie is loosely based.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Teens... :)
hahahahha @ this movie!!! fun filled :) LOL!! Amanda Bynes is a wonderful actress!!! love this movie and Channing Tatum's acting as Duke Orsino....!!
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AGE
Favorite Movie!
This is one of my absolute favorite movies of all times! As far as language goes, there is not a lot of it, and it's a really funny movie about soccer, and life. It is definitely appropriate for anyone for 12 and up, and probably appropriate for anyone 11 and up.
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AGE
In-the-middle teen movie
Okay, funny movie. My only complaint is Bynes's acting. Her acting is so poor & annoying, it's funny. Other than that, cute, alright movie about very old teens with raging hormones. Some bad role models. Who would actually dress up & try to fit in at a boys' school? Amanda Bynes's character apparently. Alright movie. You'll have a few laughs.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 30, 2010
AGE
Fine for teens
A cute movie i guess but some 'jokes' are a little too crude and unnecessary. The violence was low except for a fight in the bathroom but that was meant for comedy. Viola (as Sebastian) pushes Duke a lot and he pushes her back but that's about all the contact there is. They used a LOT of language and innuendos for it. Over all though... I would probably tell parents to check it out first to see their stand on it first but it's mostly a romantic comedy.
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AGE
THE BEST
this movie is AMAZING i recommend it to EVERYONE! it is my fave movie! yaya there is a little cussing and there is nudity but it is hilarious and that totally over powers it
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AGE
Very Good!
This movie is actually really funny. Contrary to some other reviews I think Amanda Bynes is a pretty good actor. It's okay for younger kids- there's some language/ sexual references but it'll go over the heads of kids 11-ish and younger, my friends 8 year old brother saw it and didn't notice a lot of the jokes.
Overall, this is a good and very funny movie.
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AGE
Bad messages but an entertaining movie.
One main character ditches college, gets his sister to lie for him. Viola gets exactly what she wants through lying. Lots of sexual stuff. Some of it is very subtle, but not something you would want kids to repeat.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 2, 2011
AGE
Go Illyria!
I loved this movie. It was hilarious, romantic, and a hint of heart. The only thing that is a concern is the sexual content. Viola, (Sebastian) tries to let out her innner boy by thinking of a woman with more physical features like nudeness, then whats real.
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Kid, 12 years old
September 19, 2011
AGE
SHES THE MAN!
AWESOME MOVIE!! one of my favourite movies.
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AGE
Wonderful movie!!
I think I first watched this movie at around 9, and I loved it! I wanted it right when it came out, because I love gender blenders. I think the language it uses is tolerable, and the part near the end isn't that bad, because it doesn't show anything. Its a great romantic comedy!! Sure Viola lies, but this teaches a valuable lesson: Fight for what you believe in.
Also, Viola is nice to everyone, even Unis! Now what parent doesn't want to teach there child to respect all people?
Some parts are worse than others but overall its an awesome movie!! Its been my favorite ever sense I saw it...
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| Studio: | DreamWorks |
| Director: | Andy Fickman |
| Cast: | Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Vinnie Jones |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 17, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | July 18, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | for some sexual material |
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