 | 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. |
Sixteen Candles
- Review Date: March 7, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1984
Common Sense Media says
Racy, drunken, hilarious '80s high school comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that John Hughes' hilarious '80s high school comedy has both sharply observed moments and now-dated stereotypes. Although it's rated PG (it was released before the PG-13 option existed), this is an adult comedy with teen characters. The teens drink, have sex, and talk about birth control; in one scene, it's implied that a guy had sex with a girl while she was passed-out drunk. Parents may want to exercise caution with more impressionable kids, and especially preteens or younger. But this smart exploration of adolescent life will be fun for teens and adults.
What's the story?
Sam (Molly Ringwald) is turning 16, but her family has forgotten her birthday because of her sister's impending wedding. At school, Sam has a crush on a senior, Jake, who might not know she's alive. Fortunately for Sam, Jake is tiring of his prom-queen girlfriend. With help from a freshman super-geek (Anthony Michael Hall), Jake sets his sights on Sam, but will he find her amidst her sister's wedding chaos to fulfill her birthday wish?
Is it any good?
SIXTEEN CANDLES is a hair-raising tour of adolescence. Sam is a girl in the throes of her first crush, and she's desperately insecure about her body. A sublimely awkward dork dogs her heels, alternately yearning for approval and crassly propositioning her. She's infatuated with a senior god and intimidated by his goddess girlfriend.
The movie doesn't raise profound issues or craft scenes of special beauty. However, this is John Hughes at his best; he captures the nuances of adolescent slang and recreates the little humiliations that can make teen life a living hell. It's all in the details: When Sam's grandmother checks out Sam's "perky boobies" with a squeeze, you'll wonder how anyone gets through high school.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Sam's insecurity. How could her family have eased some of the anxiety of adolescence?
Discuss the stereotype of Long Duk Dong. How has that stereotype changed today?
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AGE
Sixteen Candles
Super funny. You just gotta love that cast.
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AGE
Nudity; lots of sex, in hilarious 80s comedy that is heartfelt(:
My MPAA Rating, R: Strong sexual content, language, nudity, and teen drinking
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AGE
Hey kids can watch it too people!
Well i love it you people are totally wrong PG is a perfect rating okay so there's a nudity part the pretty blonde in the shower and Sam swearing say the F word but so what? its an awesome movie i know if i had kids i would defintyly let them watch this movie i wouldn't be like all those other so harsh parents who are totally strcit about movies like 16 Candles the best age for a kid to watch it is 11 or 12 great movie! love ya Jake Ryan! your so cute!
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AGE
I totally disagree with 15 and up, I'd say iffy for 12 and yes for 13. I was 14 when this movie came out and it remains a favorite 80s flick. Kids over 12 can handle it and there are some classic lines in this worth-seeing classic.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 13, 2010
AGE
perfect for everyone
Okay, I watched this with my 4 year old sister and my little cousin who is 7 both girls. It's fine. It shows what girls have or gonna get. and swearing thats part of growing up. LET IT GO!
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AGE
This should be rated R for ages 18 and older, but I commened that its for 16 years and older.
This movie is fine, except that it shows a naked girl in a shower in a beginning (breasts are really shown). It should be rated R (restricted). Its a crude, silly movie to see but not for kids. And there are no violence, but slapstick of course.
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Kid, 12 years old
September 26, 2010
AGE
Its a great movie, but very racy. If your a guy, dont see this until your like 15 but for girls I would say 10
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| Topics: | high school, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | John Hughes |
| Cast: | Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling, Molly Ringwald |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 93 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1984 |
| DVD release date: | January 19, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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