Splitting Adam
Common Sense says
- Nickelodeon
- Comedy
- 2015
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Splitting Adam is a comedy that brings together a cast of Nickelodeon stars from shows such as Henry Danger and 100 Things to Do Before High School, so if your kids are fans, they'll probably want to tune in. Beyond that, though, the tale of one kid's attempt to clone himself is pretty middle-of-the-road. The story's central message is great; it illustrates the importance of appreciating the qualities that make you unique and encouraging self-confidence. This somewhat chaotic movie has a fair amount of slapstick bumps and bruises, plus some mild language such as "butt" and "loser." Also notable is the frequent potty humor: burps, farts, vomit, and the occasional floating poo in a public pool. Much of the mayhem results from a marked absence of responsible adult influence, but for kids, that's all part of the fun.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Funny but lowest common denominator
Its Funny
What's the story?
Adam Baker (Jace Norman) knows the feeling of being pulled in too many directions all too well. Between holding down multiple jobs, taking care of his little sister, and spending quality summer time with his two best friends, he barely has time for anything else in his life. So when he accidentally clones himself in what his uncle Mitch (Tony Cavalero) told him was a tanning bed, Adam immediately sees the benefit of having two selves to manage all his responsibilities. Unfortunately, things get out of hand when the clones keep coming, each a bit more eccentric than the last. Now in addition to his regular responsibilities, he must protect his secret, keep tabs on each one's comings and goings, and eventually reunite all the clones with himself before they all meet their demise, all while he's trying to catch the eye of his crush, Lori (Isabela Moner).
Is it any good?
SPLITTING ADAM isn't terrible, but it does stretch its story far thinner than necessary to give somewhat equal time to each of Adam's five clones. Kids will enjoy the ridiculousness, as there are plenty of laughs at the hands of the various facets of Adam's personality, but it's mostly a superficial comedy designed to attract existing fans of the Nickelodeon stars in the cast.
Even so, viewers won't leave with nothing. It takes Adam a while to realize it, but he's certainly better for learning the story's lesson about appreciating yourself (flaws and all) and being happy with who you are. And predictably, once he realizes it, his love interest confirms that self-confidence is a big factor in winning other people's affection. Parents might not see the draw of this goofy movie, but kids who want to watch can take the story's positive themes to the bank at least.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about what Adam learns from his many clones. Do they offer him insight into his personality? Are there any parts he could do without? If your kids were to have a similar experience, what would their clones look and act like?
How might Adam have solved his problem of being overscheduled without resorting to such drastic measures? Kids: What demands do you have on your time? How do you balance all of them? Why is it important to have down time?
Were your kids drawn to this movie because of its recognizable cast? Are they influenced by what their favorite stars say and do? To what degree can we trust that what we see in the media is reflective of celebrities' real lives?
TV details
- Premiere date: February 16, 2015
- Cast: Jace Norman, Isabela Moner, Jack Griffo
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: High School
- TV rating: TV-G
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: November 27, 2019
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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