Common Sense Media Review
By Grace Montgomery
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrible teen movie has lots of swearing, mixed messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The A-List
What's the Story?
Eric Schultz (Hudson Thames) is one of the coolest kids in his high school. In fact, he's usually in the top five on the "A-list," the constantly updated record of the most popular kids in school. But when he learns he's missing one credit needed to graduate, he finds himself at the whim of the nerdy school guidance counselor, Sylvia Martin (Elizabeth Bond), who's determined to live out her high school fantasies. Forced to complete the top five things she regrets not doing in high school in exchange for a forged transcript, Eric finds his popularity status plummeting as he has to take out the star athlete on a date, try out for the cheerleading squad, and other humiliating situations. Will Eric fulfill his end of the bargain so he can graduate? Or will Sylvia finally realize that being popular isn't all it's cracked up to be?
Is It Any Good?
Watching THE A-LIST, it's sometimes hard to believe you're not watching a sequel to Not Another Teen Movie; it's even harder to figure out the point. Are they trying to satirize the common clichés found in teen movies? Show the meaninglessness of selfie culture and that focusing on popularity leads to a life of unhappiness? Unfortunately, the movie fails on all counts. It's obvious that the story is trying to make many points, albeit in an over-the-top, raunchy way, about the pitfalls of popularity, but it manages to completely undermine almost every one. Although the meanest mean girl of the group gets her comeuppance, the majority of the characters don't really learn much, and they're really only happy because everyone likes them again in the end.
If the movie was truly funny or clever in other ways, you could maybe roll your eyes about the message and enjoy it for a few laughs. But, unfortunately, the humor is so weird that it's mostly uncomfortable, not witty. With so many other teen movies that actually make sense while being funny (think Easy A), this is one you and your teens can safely skip.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about popularity. The A-List is obviously an exaggerated way to portray the high school social hierarchy, but do you think it's that far-fetched? Do you think popularity is as important to real high school kids as it is in the movie?
Do you think Sylvia did the right thing by forging Eric's transcripts? Why, or why not? What are the real-life consequences of doing something like this?
Is the school portrayed in the movie like your school? How is it different? How is it the same?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 12, 2015
- Cast : Alyson Stoner , Hal Sparks , Hudson Thames
- Director : Will Bigham
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Freestyle Digital Media
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 4, 2022
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