F.R.E.D.I.

Name: F.R.E.D.I.
Item: F.R.E.D.I.
Rating: 2
Author: Barbara Shulgasser-Parker

Movie review by

Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 9+

(i)

Boy finds robot and forms a loving bond in "E.T." wannabe.

NR
2018
90 minutes

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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 2 reviews

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F.R.E.D.I.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Positive Messages

Artificial intelligence has the potential to create machines that will benefit humankind and simulate friendships. It's good to share difficult challenges with understanding parents, even if the parents are having troubles of their own.

Positive Role Models & Representations

James is an independent, level-headed kid who probably should have shared his situation with his father earlier. His dad proves to be reliable and supportive in difficult moments. A greedy entrepreneur wants to use innovative technology to create weapons rather than to protect humans.

Violence

A greedy businessman uses a Taser device to shock people who get in his way. Grown-ups chase kids trying to save a robot.

Sex

Language

"Crap" and "jerk."

Consumerism

The eventuality of a sequel is suggested by final plot developments.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that F.R.E.D.I. is a kind of E.T.: The Extraterrestrial clone, featuring a smart robot (instead of a wise alien) who becomes a high school student's secret best friend. As the boy bonds with the sweet and protective portable robot, insensitive adults are the enemies, as in the earlier film, and the boy and his friends do their best to protect the robot from being compromised by a greedy weapons manufacturer. The teens are earnest and honest. A parent is distracted however well-meaning, which leaves the boy on his own to cope with impending threats. Violence and threats are relatively mild and language is tame ("crap" and "jerk").

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User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byJosh Turner October 9, 2019

age 8+

This Is a good movie

Nothing bad other than a little action, but not graphic at all, fine for pretty much any age.

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Parent Written byMilliontutu August 30, 2019

age 9+

Great family movie

We watched this with a teenager, we all enjoyed it from the start.
Well acted, fun and interesting plotline.

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What's the story?

F.R.E.D.I. is the acronym for an artificial intelligence robot project created to protect human beings in threatening situations. When Dr. Palmer (Kelly Hu) discovers that the head of her lab wants to corrupt her work and use it as a weapon, she takes the robot out of the facility and hides it in the woods. James (Lucius Hoyos), a teenage boy, discovers it and quickly develops a relationship with the remarkable machine. Hiding it from his dad, Randy (Tyler Christopher), who is dealing with the financial fallout of divorce, James attracts the malicious attention of Arachancorp's nefarious CEO (Angus Macfayden), who hunts him and the robot down. Physical threat is in the air from financially motivated adults, but one adult, the robot's inventor, wants to keep her work out of the CEO's hands. With James' help, she's able to reprogram F.R.E.D.I. and maintain her humanity-helping qualities by making her seem to self-destruct, a disintegration that causes weeping all around. At the end, as the robot reveals that the destruction was all a ruse to get Arachancorp to back off, she introduces a cliffhanger that clumsily sets up the possibility of a sequel.

Is it any good?

In light of the deeply moving scenario painstakingly set up in Steven Spielberg's E.T., this movie presents a pale paint-by-numbers retread of the now-familiar plotline. This movie doesn't work to create deep relationships, nor does it ask much of its viewers emotionally. When James and his friends cry at F.R.E.D.I.'s disappearance, it's unlikely that any audience members will be crying along, as this go-round lacks the depth and thoughtfulness necessary to trigger true empathy in an audience. Older kids and tweens, however, may yearn for the adventure of finding a charming robot and protecting her from evildoers, which could make this a harmless-enough after-school entertainment.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the way that divorce can cause the kind of financial issues and emotional pain that can get in the way of proper parenting. James' father's preoccupation with selling his business and house may blind him to his son's worries and needs, but do you think the dad ultimately proves himself when given the chance?
How do James' friends show their loyalty?
Does F.R.E.D.I. feel like a rip-off of E.T.? What are some similarities? What are some differences?