 | 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. |
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
- Review Date: August 27, 2009
- NR
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Feel-good family movie has great messages for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie offers more of the tween-friendly content that families have come to expect from Wizards of Waverly Place. Teenage Alex gives her parents and siblings fits with her rebellious -- and often disrespectful – behavior (she talks back, sneaks out of the house, etc.), but she learns important lessons about family ties and self-confidence when she’s forced to team up with her brother to save her family. There’s no cause for concern in giving tweens the go-ahead on this feel-good movie.
What's the story?
In WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: THE MOVIE, Disney fans’ favorite spell casters head to the Caribbean for a vacation that’s interrupted by a magical mishap that threatens to unravel the Russo family itself. For parents Jerry (David Deluise) and Theresa (Maria Canals-Barrera), the chance to revisit the tropical paradise where they met is a dream come true -- and they hope their three kids will love it, too. Sons Justin (David Henrie) and Max (Jake T. Austin) are on board, but middle child Alex (Selena Gomez) is put out over spending so much "quality" time with her family. Her frustration with her mom’s rules leads her to cast an accidental spell that changes the past and leaves her parents strangers. Desperate to set things right, Alex must set aside her bickering with Justin to team up in search of a way to recreate their family.
Is it any good?
This entertaining movie casts a little magic of its own, weaving strong positive lessons into a neatly crafted story that will charm tween viewers. Even if they’re not already familiar with the characters from the series, they won't have any problem jumping right into the plot. Girls especially may find that Alex’s familial woes resonate with some of their own struggles for independence.
Parents don't have to worry about the example that the rebellious teen sets for their own kids, since Alex eventually is forced to come to terms with her unpleasant behavior when she faces the possibility of life without her family. What’s more, she learns important lessons in responsibility and self-confidence and improves her relationship with her brother after she sees things from his point of view. This upbeat, kid-friendly movie is a great choice for families of tweens and might even help get the ball rolling on discussions about topics like rules and respect.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about communication. How does your family keep communication lines open? Does technology help you communicate? Tweens: Do you feel comfortable talking to your parents about your issues?
What rules does your family have about parties and hanging out with friends? How do these rules help keep you safe? How do they compare to family rules about use of media like the Internet?
Tweens: Whom do you respect? What attributes do you look for in a role model?
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- Teens & kids
Adult
October 31, 2011
AGE
Don't like the tv show, but this is fine
Good moral and I found it quite enjoyable, even though I dislike the t.v show. This was more serious
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Teen, 17 years old
September 8, 2009
AGE
Ok not great
I liked it somewhat but some of the characters are really out of character and mean.
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Adult
April 5, 2011
AGE
Good for teens over 12.
Amazing movie. Original. Fantastic.
I know Justin and Alex are supposed to be close and siblingly in this movie, but at times they are heading into dangerous territory.
Your vision may differ of course, but the closeness, well, a little unsual for a brother and sister. Maybe the actors are into each other a little too much.
Alex is Alex as usually, not the perfect role model, but I think this makes the show and the movie the most interesting on that channel, I can barely call Disney.
The rest was excellent.
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Parent
March 30, 2011
AGE
dd loved this film - the girl in the film gets up to no good but then sees the errors of her way and manages to turn things around - not bad
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Teen, 16 years old
April 6, 2010
AGE
actually the best disney channel movie in a while
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Parent of 6 and 11 year old
July 6, 2011
AGE
Wish on a wand
Oh, yeah when your a tween (like me) you tend to wish for things you dont really mean. Thats what happens to alex and she wishes her parents never got married. And its true... the are back to the summer when there parents met and there is only one way to reverse it...they have to find the magic jewel. Enchanting... a step into the wizards world. Watch out, Harry potter you have real competion.
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Parent of 7, 7, and 9 year old
September 3, 2009
AGE
good for kids and tweens
I liked this movie! I watched it with my kids and would watch it agian. It sends a good message especialy for tweens and young teens.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 5, 2009
AGE
great movie for all ages
loved the movie it was really good
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Kid, 10 years old
May 20, 2011
AGE
SO LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!
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Teen, 13 years old
September 4, 2009
AGE
Way to go, Disney!
Loved it. Totally appropriate for kids. Maybe not under 5 or 6, though.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Lev L. Spiro |
| Cast: | David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Selena Gomez |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 73 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 28, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 15, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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