iGo to Japan (Nickelodeon)

common sense media says

iCarly crew delivers more wild antics.

parents & educators say

33% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this TV movie is tied into the popular series iCarly and offers more of the same wacky -- if fairly unrealistic -- fun that the show's tween viewers have come to enjoy. There's some mild flirting, a few instances of bullying (Sam likes to pick on Freddie for his crush on Carly), and not much in the way of realistic, responsible adult supervision -- but little of this will surprise tweens. The subject of Internet safety is raised when Carly hastily accepts an online invitation from a stranger to travel overseas for an awards show, so be sure to follow up with kids about your family's rules concerning the Internet. On a positive note, while the movie includes frequent mention of iCarly.com, viewers aren't encouraged to visit the site for blogs or downloads as often as they are during the series.

Educational value: This special is meant to be fun, not educational.

Positive messages: Some positive take-aways about working together for a common goal, but there's also a bit of bullying and potty humor, as well as some iffy behavior connected to Internet safety. Plot points include the abduction of the three main characters by their competitors in an award competition -- but the kidnappers get their due in the end.

Positive role models: The two prominent adult characters aren't very realistic role models:
Carly's flaky, immature older brother acts as her guardian, and
Freddie's overprotective mom is often the willing brunt of the teens'
jokes. Sam continuously pushes Freddie around (throws pudding in his face,
degrades him, etc.), and he never stands up to her bullying.

Violence & scariness: Lots of the slapstick variety: A girl smacks a boy in the head with an apple, a man parachutes into a woman and knocks her down, a man receives electric shocks from a foreign language tutorial collar that zaps him for incorrect answers, etc.

Sexy stuff: A man refers to a life-size cutout of a woman as "hot" and "fine." In one scene, a man is said to be naked, though only his torso is seen. Freddie occasionally refers to his long-standing crush on Carly.

Language: Not applicable.

Consumerism: Characters often mention iCarly.com in the context of the plot, but there's little prompting for viewers to visit the show's real-life sister site to check out more content or submit their own. A brief performance by the band Good Charlotte.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the Internet. What do you use the Internet for? What kinds of things have you seen that you weren't looking for?
How do advertisers get your attention while you're online? Have ads ever enticed you to visit other Web sites? If so, which ones?
How does the Internet change how you can communicate with your friends? Do you think it's a good thing that anyone can post anything on the Web? Why or why not?
Have you ever known anyone who was bullied or intimidated by someone in this manner? Remind your kids to never consent to any offers they receive -- or give out personal information of any kind online.

What's the story?

In IGO TO JAPAN, webcast stars Carly (Miranda Cosgrove), Sam (Jennette McCurdy), and Freddie (Nathan Kress) are ecstatic to learn that their show has been nominated for an international iWeb award. Hoping for victory over an impressive comedy duo from Japan, the teen trio heads overseas for the competition -- but their journey is plagued by mishaps from the start. And when their supposedly friendly competitors, Kyoko (Ally Matsumura) and Yuki (Harry Shum, Jr.), abduct them and deposit them in the middle of nowhere just before the contest begins, it's up to Carly's older brother, Spencer (Jerry Trainor), and Freddie's overprotective mom (Mary Scheer) to join forces and save the day.

Is it any good?

If your kids are already iCarly fans, they'll surely enjoy the crew's first movie, which offers more of the same hilarious (for tweens that is) slapstick antics. Cosgrove and McCurdy in particular continue to be a delightful comedic team, and if parents can overlook the story's notable shortage of realistic material (a misunderstanding forces the crew to fly overseas in a cargo plan and parachute into Tokyo, for instance), they might actually enjoy tuning in with their tweens for this mostly worry-free fun.

That said, be read to talk about Internet safety with your tweens after the credits roll. In particular, one scene shows Carly consenting to reservations for an overseas trip after a stranger invites her to an awards show over the Internet. While Carly's situation is spun for adventure and fun, be sure to remind kids of the very real dangers that exist online, and discuss your family's rules about surfing the Web.

TV themes & details

Themes

book characters, friendship

TV Details

TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Nickelodeon
Cast: Jennette McCurdy, Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Nickelodeon

This review was written by Emily Ashby

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:

33% say there are positive messages

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

starglo512
parent of 4 , and 9 , 10 , 14 year old

Good Show!

My kids 8, 9, and 12 love iCarly. Sometimes there are things that arent the best for a kid that it that age, but I think over all it is a great and funny show. The thing is that the things on the show that they list above to look out for kids will be exposed to else where too. Cant hide them from everything

TV Details

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Genre

iGo to Japan (Nickelodeon)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on iGo to Japan

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

TV themes & details

Themes

TV Details

Review It

Review iGo to Japan

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Good Show!

ICARLY!!!

bla

Hilarious!

Kind of iffy...but all together great

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

sam is a good role model

iCarly Rocks!

All ages.

sam is a good role model

not perfect for teens

8+

Unrealistic and Unfunny in Most Parts; Not Innappropriate

Probably the best of iCarly!

A Little Intense For Young Viewers

iThink little kids sould wait to watch this.

A LITTLE TO INTENSE FOR YOUNG VIEWERS.

ok

very good but................

Really Funny Movie, But Iffy

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