Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Schoolyard animation has positive messages, some bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Recess: All Growed Down
What's the Story?
In RECESS: ALL GROWED DOWN, T.J. (voiced by Myles Jeffrey) and his friends are taken prisoner by the kindergarteners. While captured, the fourth graders recall past stories from when they and the kindergarteners used to be friends. But will they convince their captors to let them go?
Is It Any Good?
This Disney direct-to-video animation is another welcome addition to the series. Recess: All Growed Down is the third movie featuring the Recess gang, following its successful TV run. The film is a compilation of three previously aired episodes -- told via flashback -- intertwined with a new story that centers around the kidnapping of fourth grader T.J. and his five friends. If that sounds somewhat sinister, don't worry. The kidnappers are in fact all from kindergarten and this setup enables the film to play out is list of positive messages about friendship, standing up to bullies, and understanding that we all get older. The premise works well and the kids are never under any serious threat. It also provides an amusing Apocalypse Now narration that will amuse adults familiar with the film.
As with previous Recess outings, playground politics and the school hierarchy are all on display. While these often play up to stereotypes -- the nerdy kid is all glasses and books, while the larger kid is last to be picked for the running race -- they, for the most part, are all challenged. The interweaving of the three episodes with the new story loses its way a little in the final act. But by that point, T.J. and the rest of the Recess crew have once again proved to be good company.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friendship is explored in Recess: All Growed Down. What makes T.J. and the rest of his gang such good friends? How does their friendships compare to your own?
How did the movie address bullying? Did it do a good job of showing why bullying is wrong? What should you do if you, or someone you know, is being bullied?
Would you describe any of the characters as role models? What character strengths did they show? What do you think makes a good role model?
Have you seen the original TV series or any other movies from the Recess franchise? How did this one compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 9, 2003
- Cast : Myles Jeffrey , Rickey D'Shon Collins , Ashley Johnson
- Directors : Howy Parkins , Chuck Sheetz
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 61 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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