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The Suite Life Movie
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
No surprises in tween-friendly movie based on hit series.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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The Suite Life Movie
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What's the Story?
In THE SUITE LIFE MOVIE, spring break is on the horizon, and Cody (Cole Sprouse) is counting the days to the start of his prestigious marine biology internship. Unfortunately, his plans interfere with the ones that his girlfriend, Bailey (Debby Ryan), has made for them, causing her to give him the silent treatment. Even worse, during Cody's orientation at the marine reserve, his twin brother, Zack (Dylan Sprouse), shows up and causes a ruckus, getting Cody fired and causing a rift between them. Zack tries to patch things up by getting the brothers involved in secret research at the nearby Gemini Project, but the guys soon discover that something's amiss among the participants. When the brothers start to experience each other's feelings and sensations, they must set aside their differences and tap into what connects them to uncover the truth behind the Gemini Project.
Is It Any Good?
This is the latest incarnation in the popular chronicles of twins Zack and Cody, and tween fans of their previous shows will find plenty of familiar content in this funny story. The boys are getting pretty grown up, but their polar-opposite personalities are still intact, which makes for a heap of laughs at each other's expense. Add to that their new ability to think and feel what the other does, and you can imagine the mayhem that ensues, culminating in a physical brawl between the guys as each inflicts pain on the other by hitting himself.
The Suite Life Movie makes an effort to push some positive content about sibling relationships and showing empathy, so there's some good to come of your tweens tuning in. Parents' only concern (aside from the expected implausibility of the story itself, of course) may be in the apparent joy the guys get from irritating and hurting each other -- including a couple of instances of Zack being subjected to electrical shock at Cody's hands -- but most kids will understand how that content relates to the movie's humor and helps illustrate the strides the brothers make in their relationship over the course of the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about relationships. How does Zack and Cody's relationship compare to yours with your siblings or friends? Can you relate to their frustrations with each other? Have you ever tried to understand the other person's point of view? Was it difficult?
Tweens: What are your career goals? How do your current interests and hobbies relate to them? What special skills or knowledge will you need for that job? How can you work toward those goals now?
How does subliminal advertising work? What kinds of products do you notice advertised in shows or movies that you watch? In what ways does The Suite Life Movie advertise the shows it's based on?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 11, 2011
- On DVD or streaming: January 10, 2013
- Cast: Dylan Sprouse , Cole Sprouse , Brenda Song
- Director: Sean McNamara
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Asian actors
- Studio: Disney Channel Original Movies
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Book Characters
- Run time: 79 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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