Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated feature treats bullying as a laughing matter.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Victor just wants to spend his summer vacation with his friends and his dog, relaxing in their tree house. But he must constantly contend with Freddy, a bully who torments Victor and all the kids in the town. After getting punched out, Victor schemes various ways of getting even with Freddy. But when the circus comes to town, Victor sees a golden opportunity -- not only to perform for the town with his dog, but to get Freddy out of town once and for all.
Is It Any Good?
Perhaps FREDDY FROGFACE, based on a novel, is intended to be light-hearted entertainment, but presenting slapsticky fare about a bully feels in bad taste. Especially in a time when society is starting to come to grips with the harmful effects of bullying in both the short and long-term.
It's too serious of a topic to be addressed in a "wacky" animated film, and sadly, Freddy Frogface would rather go for the easy laughs than to address bullying in a meaningful way. Which is too bad, and makes this movie, released in 2011, all the more woefully out-of-date in both its message and presentation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying. How do the kids handle being bullied? What other choices could they have made? If you've ever been bullied, how did you handle it?
Are certain subjects off limits for comedy? What is comedy's purpose?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 3, 2012
- Cast : Nicolaj Kopernikus , Nikolaj Lie Kaas , Thure Lindhardt
- Director : Peter Dodd
- Studio : Phase 4 Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, mild bullying, and some rude humor
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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