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Shredderman Rules (NR, 2007)

common sense media says

Tween tale strays into cyberbullying territory.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this made-for-TV movie has tweens using the Web to air their grievances with a bully who plays mean-spirited pranks. On the flip side, the movie features strong adult role models and positive messages about friendship, character, and listening to your conscience when making difficult decisions.

Positive messages: A bully terrorizes his classmates; they get back at him by posting clips of his misdeeds online. Their frustration is understandable, but the solution smacks of cyberbullying, which is a big real-life problem with kids in the target age group. On the plus side, the most prominent adult character is a teacher who's very in tune with his students, the main character's father tries hard to be involved in his son's life, and his wife breaks gender roles by being the family's tool-laden handywoman. The multicultural cast includes African-American and Hispanic characters.
Violence & scariness: A teen bully's pranks on his peers include pushing, pinching, hitting, and sending them down flights of stairs in musical instrument cases, but no one is shown injured. Only one scene involves blood -- a boy is shown with a bloody nose, supposedly from a bully attack.
Sexy stuff: There's an ongoing romantic interest between two characters, but references to it are limited to longing glances. In one scene, a pet guinea pig's pregnancy causes a teen to ponder how it happened.
Language: Name-calling (like "Byrd Turd") is common.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Shredderman Rules

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about safe, smart ways to communicate online. Remind your kids that they should never say anything online that they wouldn't say to someone's face. Ask your kids if they or their friends have ever been cyberbullied. Were there ever any consequences? Do they know what to do if they're the object of a cyberbullying? Tell them to be sure to let you know asap -- and that no matter where they've been online, you're more concerned about their safety than anything else. (And if your kids are being bullied, you must keep the emails and let your Internet Service Provider know immediately. For more tips, see the Common Sense Internet Safety guide).

What's the story?

What's the story?

For Nolan Byrd (Devon Werkheiser), daily life at Cedar Valley Junior High is an obstacle course unlike any other. When he's not making awkward conversation with his long-time crush, Isabel (Francia Almendarez), or avoiding uncomfortable confrontations with former best friend Max (Kendre Berry), Nolan can usually be found dodging torment from his nemesis -- notorious bully Bubba Bixby (Andrew Caldwell). When a social studies assignment about injustice starts Nolan's wheels turning, he devises a plan for retaliation against Bubba. Under the pseudonym "Shredderman," Nolan gathers video clips of the bully's misdeeds and posts them on his shredderman.com Web site for the world to see. Delighted to see Bubba in the hot seat for once, his peers hail the mysterious cyber personality as a victim's hero. Nolan then sets his sights on Bubba's dad (Daniel Roebuck), a local businessman who's covertly plotting to turn the town's scenic pond into a sewage plant. But when his fan base starts to turn against him and romance heats up between Mr. Bixby and the school's principal (Mindy Sterling), Nolan must triumph over all kinds of adversity to save his reputation -- and the town's beautiful focal point.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Adapted from a best-selling book by Wendelin Van Draanen, SHREDDERMAN RULES is a lively story with a strong cast that brings the woes of junior high life home for young viewers, who will probably really enjoy the relatable characters and storyline. But the cyberbullying plot might hit a little too close to home for parents concerned about their tweens' Web use. If your kids watch, be sure to caution them against using the Internet to ostracize or retaliate against their own peers. (For our complete guide to keeping kids safe and smart online, click here.)

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Savage Steve Holland
Cast: Andrew Caldwell, Devon Werkheiser, Francia Almendarez
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: June 8, 2007
DVD release: August 28, 2007
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
This movie is soooo awesome! Commonsense is , again, retarded!!!!! There is nothing wrong with this movie and it is appropriate for all ages!
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drama movie fan
teen, 14 years old
7
 
bad
i didn't like this movie it was pritty LAME.
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ecs21297
teen, 17 years old
8
 
Ok for kids who are a little mature
This movie is really funny. But you might want your kids to be a little more mature. Like there is a scene where the bully is giving the main character a wedgie,so you might need to be mature.
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gospurs57
adult
 
A movie with good intentions, but iffy content
I liked this movie, but it was completely misrated. First, implied violence and the theme of bullying play into this movie. There is no actual violence, but there is a brief bloody nose implied from a fight. Second, sexual innuendo is an issue. Third, the theme of cyberbullying plays a role in this movie. Although done for good in the movie, cyberbullying is very serious in real life. I'm shocked that BOTH Nickelodeon AND Sony Pictures rated this movie TV-Y7. How can sexual innuendo AND violence be appropriate for a 7 year old? A TV-G rating would've been an accurate rating since sexual innuendo and violence can be present.
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lucyloo
teen, 14 years old
 
I loved it!!
Now i think that it is a terrific movie it's also a vey good book!!Now i read shredderman the book and it was as good as the movie!!!!!! : ) :) :) :) :)
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dev123
teen, 17 years old
 
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JIM4741
teen, 15 years old
 
CS:LIARS!
APPROPRIATE 4 AWL!
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Predictable Film based on strange book.
SHREDDERMAN is based on the book of that same title. The book was strange but amusing. The movie is utterly predictable and un-called for. There is never any sex/nudity shown, but one female character, trying to attract the main character, tells him about several instances of nudity. Though after she says "I was naked" he walks away. The same character tells him that "having babies won't be a problem". It is implied that the school principal is having an affair with the bully's dad, and when they're planning to go on a trip and she shows him her two-piece bikini, he says "I'm glad you pack light." There are also several pratfalls, comic explosions, falling from trees, ect. All in all, not a very good movie. Questionable content as well. If kids loved the book, you might talk about the numerous changes from book to movie. If not, keep away.
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