iStart a Fan War
Parents say
Based on 3 reviews
Kids say
Based on 11 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this special offers more of the same witty banter and zany adventures that fans have come to expect from the iCarly group, so nothing here will be a surprise to established viewers. Little about the movie could be considered realistic, since the main characters are stars among their Web fans and clearly enjoy the attention, and there's a decided lack of responsible adult influence on the teens. The story dabbles in teen crushes and can’t avoid promoting its parent series and like-named website (although there aren’t any direct plugs), giving parents a good reason to talk with their kids about Internet safety and the media’s power of persuasion.
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What's the Story?
In ISTART A FAN WAR, Carly (Miranda Cosgrove), Sam (Jennette McCurdy), and Freddie (Nathan Kress) are off to WebiCon, where they host a Q-and-A session with fans and inadvertently ignite a firestorm between the “Seddies” (who believe that Freddie and Sam are hiding their affection for each other) and the “Creddies” (who back a romance between Carly and Freddie). Unfortunately, the fallout disrupts the conference and, even worse, threatens Carly’s hopes for a relationship with Adam (Max Ehrich). Meanwhile, Spencer (Jerry Trainor) engages in his own war of sorts when he arrives at WebiCon dressed as an avatar from his favorite online video game and encounters his character’s arch-nemesis, Aspartamay (Jack Black), setting off an epic battle between the two warriors.
Is It Any Good?
iCarly’s devoted tween following surely will want to tune in for this latest installment in the series, and for the most part, there’s no reason they shouldn’t. If they’re familiar with the show, then they’re used to content that departs from the reality they likely know. These characters enjoy freedom and star status that most kids can’t relate to, but it’s clear the intention is just plain fun.
By far the high point of this otherwise fairly lackluster movie is the addition of Black, who brings his trademark eccentric humor to the talented cast. There’s no reason to worry about your tweens tuning in, but because the show integrates with a partner website that kids may want to visit (if they haven’t already), it gives you a good reason to start a discussion with them about using the Internet safely.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Internet. What rules does your family have for using the Internet? What do you like to use it for? How can it be used as a learning tool? How does the Internet make stardom a reality for more people?
What are the dangers associated with the Internet? Have you ever known anyone who was cyberbullied? How does social networking change how you relate to people? What safeguards exist to keep kids safe online?
Kids: Did you like this movie? How did it compare to the series itself? Do you think this movie contributed positively to the iCarly story?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 19, 2010
- Cast: Jack Black, Jennette McCurdy, Miranda Cosgrove
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Book Characters, Friendship
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: October 1, 2020
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