Cody the Robosapien Movie Poster Image

Cody the Robosapien

age 6+
(i)

 

Buddy adventure between robot, tween stresses friendship.
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  • Review Date: June 24, 2013
  • Rated: PG
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • Release Year: 2013
  • Running Time: 86 minutes

What parents need to know

Educational value

Kids will learn a bit about New Orleans and the way robots work.

Positive messages

The movie encourages kids to believe in themselves and not allow bullies to push them down, emotionally or physically. It also stresses the importance of friendship and open communication between family members.

Positive role models

Allan is a moral, caring scientist who doesn't want his robot to be used and marketed as a weapon. Joanna is a hard-working single mom who doesn't have time to do everything around the house, but who does make time for her two kids and their issues. Henry is a smart, sweet kid who helps others, and Cody is a sensitive robot that understands a lot about human emotions.

Violence & scariness

A couple of punches (including one between two young boys) and some close calls. A bully pushes Henry, tries to mess up his science fair project, and later smashes his trophy and throws Cody across a basketball court. A group of security guards pursue Allan and then Henry and his family. A man holds Allan and Joanna hostage at gunpoint.

Sexy stuff

Henry has a crush on Emma; Cody flirts with a receptionist; and Cody's "dad" Allan ends up with Henry's mom.

Language

Insults (and basketball trash talking) like "stupid," "choke on a worm," "stooges," "bums," "sucka."

Consumerism

Joanna's old Volvo station wagon is shown several times. The movie is based on the Robosapien remote-control robot toys.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Cody makes a joke, "Margaritas anyone?" after he gives Joanna and Meagan a massage.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Cody the Robosapien (originally released as Robosapien: Rebooted in the U.K.) is a live-action adventure based on WowWee's remote-control robot toys. The movie focuses on the relationship between Henry, a precocious 12-year-old, and Cody, the robot he finds and rebuilds. Through their friendship, which is reminiscent of all human child-nonhuman buddy movies, like E.T.  or The Iron Giant, both characters discover how teamwork and sacrifice can change people (and robots) for the better. There are mild insults ("stupid") and violence (a couple of punches and a pursuit by armed security guards), but this is overall a movie that's fine for the whole family.

What's the story?

CODY THE ROBOSAPIEN starts out at Kinetech Labs, a New Orleans tech firm where scientist Allan Topher (David Eigenberg) has created a humanoid robot, the Robosapien, for search and rescue. When Allan discovers the firm's CEO Porter (Kim Coates) is planning to weaponize and sell Robosapien, he escapes with his beloved creation and programs it to run away from Kinetech's security guards. Robosapien ends up falling into a dumpster, where he's found by 12-year-old Henry Keller (Bobby Coleman), who's also running from a group of bullies. Henry takes Robosapien's pieces back home and puts him back together, naming him Cody. Like a robot E.T., Cody learns about Henry's life, attends his school, and helps him defeat the class bully. Henry returns the favor by helping Cody reunite with his "father" Allan.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

The special effects aren't up to par with theatrical releases, nor is the plot anything that even a kid would call sophisticated. But there are enough laughs and messages for both children and parents to stay relatively entertained. Parents who watch the hit FX show Sons of Anarchy will be especially pleased to see Coates playing a clean-cut corporate villain instead of a tattooed biker. If you're looking for a family movie for younger kids who want a little action adventure but nothing too heavy, this is a decent, albeit slightly bland pick.

CODY THE ROBOSAPIEN isn't as overt a merchandise tie-in as the Barbie, Transformers, or My Little Pony movies -- probably because the Robosapien toys aren't nearly as ubiquitous as Mattel's or Hasbro's offerings. Cody (voiced by Jae Head) is charming enough to keep kids interested in his silly one-liners and jokey banter with first his father figure Allan (whom adult fans will recognize as Steve from Sex and the City) and then adorably nerdy young Henry (who looks like a young Richard Lewis circa 1989 with his floppy long hair and shrugging shoulders).

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about Cody and Henry's friendship and how it changes both of them. What do they teach each other, and how do they help the other grow?

  • What are other examples of human and non-human friendships and collaboration in movies? What themes are present in most of the movies, and which ones are your favorites?

  • Discuss the various ways bullying can occur and check out our video about dealing with digital harassment and cyberbullying.

Movie details

DVD release date:June 25, 2013
Cast:Bobby Coleman, Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Ann Miller
Director:Sean McNamara
Studio:Anchor Bay Entertainment
Genre:Family and Kids
Topics:Friendship, Robots
Run time:86 minutes
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:some mild action, bullying and brief rude humor

This review of Cody the Robosapien was written by

Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Parent Written byQuality Consumer July 8, 2013
age 9+

Pulled this one out of the DVD player not for my preschooler

Gun Violence not appropriate for young children. Its rated PG so not sure why there is no option here to choose for OVER a certain age. Where is the OVER a certain age option? ODD. For discerning parents who take issue with gun violence in entertainment films for children you will not be happy with this one.
What other families should know
Too much violence
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Teen, 17 years old Written bycodyrobsapiensfan13 July 10, 2013
age 13+

My positive message to ALL kids of ALL ages.

This movie helped me learn alot about friends and friendship. Cody was there for Henry and really cared for him, even though Henry had to give Cody back to Allen. Kids, heres my message to you. Be there for your friends and try your best to cheer them up, even when their down. But another thing,kids, NEVER bully. It's wrong and it sets a negative effect on the victim. If you see bullying happen, report to a teacher or principal immediately!!
What other families should know
Great messages
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