Angelo Rules

Name: Angelo Rules
Item: Angelo Rules
Rating: 3
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 6+

(i)

Boy's big ideas are funny, but messages are mixed.

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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 1 review

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X of Y

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

The show intends to entertain rather than to educate.

Positive Messages

Kids see a boy scheme and plot to get things his way, whether it's rescuing his friend from detention or staying up late to watch a TV show. He disregards rules and rarely suffers consequences as a result, and his creative manner of solving what he sees as the major trials in his life sometimes cause even bigger ones. On the plus side, he's a good friend, and his family members -- though a little wacky -- play a big role in his life. A neighborhood bully sometimes causes trouble for Angelo and his friends, but it's more of the stealing-the-lunch-money variety than anything physically harmful. Traditional gender roles are reversed in Angelo's family, with his mom dominating the decision-making most of the time.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Angelo's strong self-confidence often leads him to bend or break rules at home and at school. He never sets out to cause trouble; he just believes that his motives justify their means. By association, his friends follow suit, though it always goes against Sherwood's better judgment to do so. That said, they're also great friends who always have each other's backs. Adults typically are unwitting accomplices in the kids' schemes or oblivious to them altogether.

Violence & Scariness

Sexy Stuff

Language

No cursing, but occasional instances of "Oh, my God" and "butt" and name-calling such as "shrimp" and "dork."

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Angelo Rules centers on a boy who breaks a lot of rules as he executes elaborate schemes to tackle the minor disasters that come up in his life, including having an item confiscated by a teacher or not getting to watch a TV program. In other words, these child-size "disasters" won't ring quite so true with grown-ups as they will with kids, and parents will take an altogether different view of Angelo's over-the-top solutions as well. That said, this kind of fantasy mischief works well in the context of this show's unique style, and older kids will see it for the make-believe world it is. Expect some name-calling ("dork," "shrimp") and a fair amount of hapless adult characters who enable the kids' antics, but there also are some strong themes of friendship and a solid family unit front and center.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Parent Written bydarinz May 9, 2015

age 17+

Show sends a bad message

Angelo lies, manipulates and schemes to get what he wants without consequence which doesn't appeal to me as a father of a 5 year old boy! Angelo rules need... Continue reading

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Adult Written byStevenOT September 11, 2015

age 10+

fun for kids, but only superficial ethics

My kids like this show, but from watching it with them, I'm concerned. The characters are well developed, quite nuanced but it's the general episode s... Continue reading

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Teen, 16 years old Written byTheBlade July 21, 2017

age 8+

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What's the story?

To 11-year-old Angelo (voiced by Jennifer Visalli), the world lacks a certain fairness for kids. What with unwelcome household chores and homework assignments that slip your mind, what's a boy to do but devise elaborate schemes to even the odds a bit? And for that, there's no one better than Angelo, whose sees life's little unpleasantries as big opportunities to test his mettle against the unsuspecting adults in charge. With help from his best friends, Sherwood (Aaron Conley) and Lola (Cassandra Morris), Angelo will stop at nothing to ensure that things go according to plan...HIS plan, that is.

Is it any good?

ANGELO RULES is one of those shows that can really expose a generational divide in its audience. Whereas kids will relate to Angelo's many quandaries and find his creative solutions hilarious (and possibly even genius), parents are likely to have a slightly different response to his blatant disregard for the rules. True, it's all in fun, but if a message is to be taken from this show, it's that if you set out to get your way, you'd better pull out all the stops on the effort.

That said, Angelo isn't a bad kid, and his relationships with his friends and family show that there is a softer side to him. He's just unwavering in his convictions, and that kind of commitment is bound to stir up trouble at some point. The bottom line? So long as your kids know that Angelo's brand of mischief won't fly with the adults in their lives, this overly confident kid hero's escapades are a fun escape from reality. What's more, the show's creative animation style gives it an unpredictability that viewers will enjoy.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about Angelo's schemes. Are they feasible in the real world? Why do his friends go along with him on these plans? Could your kids say "no" if a friend wanted them to do something they knew they shouldn't?
Why does Angelo think he has the right to break rules to get what he wants? What would the world be like if everyone lived by that code? Is it ever OK to break a rule?
How does this show portray grown-ups? Do Angelo and his friends respect any of them? Kids: Why is it important to respect the adults in your life?