OK for kids 8+
Big-screen teen sleuth is cute, if a bit bland.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the big-screen Nancy Drew is very retro and straightlaced. And although she's being marketed to older tweens and young teens, even slightly younger kids will enjoy the teenage sleuth's harmless action. There are a few "good scary" moments (a face pops up in a dark room), and even though Nancy is forced to flee from armed henchmen and is even held at gunpoint, she never really seems like she'd be the victim of anything. It's worth noting that there are several prominent product placements, mostly computer and Internet related.
- Families can talk about what makes Nancy a good role model for tween and teen girls. How does she compare to other movie characters -- or real-life "role models" like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton?
- Why did the other girls in the movie make fun of Nancy, and what made them change their mind?
The good stuff
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Messages: Shows that persistance, ingenuity, and smarts pay off. Plus a message about being yourself.
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Role models: Nancy is a great role model for girls: She's fearless, smart, andconscientious. She's also a really good kid -- except when it comes toher father's request that she stop sleuthing.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Nancy is nearly killed a few times -- first in a car chase and later at gunpoint by a bad guy and his henchmen. Men are hit over the head with a shovel.
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Sexy stuff: One brief kiss; two girls wear tight outfits and flirt with Ned; Corky hits on Nancy.
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Language: Fairly mild language/insults: "what the hell," "freak," "idiot," "oh God," "porky," etc.
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Consumerism: Several prominent product placements: Mac laptop, IMDB.com, AOL, Amtrak, InStyle magazine, Hollywood High, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: There's a rowdy high-school party, but no one seems to be drinking -- just dancing and carrying on.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Nancy Drew is a nice role model for little girls for a change!!!! by katware26
This movie was great! I took my soon to be 6 year old to this movie and she loved it!!! She left the movie saying "I want to be just like her when I grow up"! This was refreshing after sitting through previews for the new Bratz movies (which is strictly forbidden in our home)! Nancy Drew was already a favorite and now this movie has brought her back to life for another generation to enjoy!! I hope theres more to come! It was funny, exciting, and just a good movie all around! I definetly recommend you go see this movie!
4
"Old Fashioned" but Fun -- Go See "Nancy Drew!" by profseibertdavis
The new "Nancy Drew" movie is, like its main character, a little old fashioned. There's actually a plot, rather than a sequence of video game-like explosions, "heroic" posturing, and tag lines (i.e., no "Make my day . . .") -- this is a good thing! There are also characters you actually care about. Nancy, her father, and Ned were actually the most compelling to watch, since the actors (and filmmakers) had to work hard to make these characters very much of earlier era fit believeably into our own. Rather than give them a kind of contemporary 'facelift,' which would probably not have worked for either old fans or new ones, the makers of "Nancy Drew" were able to bring the characters' old-fashioned, straight-laced elements believeably into our time. Moving the story to Los Angeles also made the story work as a kind of "fish out of water" situation. Our six year old son, who had only heard of Nancy Drew from Mom, enjoyed the mystery and scary elements, and his parents enjoyed it too.
5
Nancy Drew Get a Clue by MM11
I really sugest this movie to children and adults it has a great mystery to it but some parts can be a little spooky for little children the actors are great too this movie is actually the first movie that i have seen that is better than the book series so i would give this movie a 10 if there was a ten so once the movie comes out you should buy it!
5
Loads of Fun!! by jerandemsmom
My 9 year old daughter and I went to see this and we *both* really enjoyed it! I had read many many of the Nancy Drew books as a child, but she had read none of them - we both thought it was an excellent movie. The action and adventure were suspenseful, but not too much so that it was scary for my daughter. The characters were well defined and quite interesting - you cared about what was going to happen to them. Nancy Drew was so quick thinking and intelligent - it's nice to make "smart" into such an admirable quality on the screen again. She was brave and loyal to her friends...what an excellent character to show our young girls! I'm hoping that there will be more of these in the future!!
4
very cute and surprising by natashast
i think we are all so jaded in how we view movies lately. myself included. i am one of those, i am there-to-be-entertained-and-for-the-popcorn because really how often do you see a great movie? this movie was not great but very good. entertaining and wholesome. surprise, surpise. do go and see it if nothing else but to tell the movie producers to send more movies of this nature down the pipeline... the time will fly and you will be amazed to be entertained without all the profanity and violence.
5
Feel good movie by midrand
This was a wonderful movie for the youth to watch! What came across strongly was the fact that Nancy was able to "be herself" regardless of how the other kids tried to ridicule or mock her in defferent situations. Kids today need to know that it's important to not have to be "sucked" in by peer pressure. The story was well acted out and sufficiently surprising as it twisted and turned along the path. Doing the right thing even against the odds also comes through the story and that was excellent! As I put it, a "feel good movie" and definitely worth seeing. We need more moveis like this for the youth to learn from.
5
Drew is Pregnant with Timely Messages & Virtues Sorely Needed Today! by Sylvester p guildersleeve
Wow! Hollywood got this one right...this movie was outstanding and let me tell you why. It was pregnant with timely messages and virtues sorely needed in a society dominated by hedonistic tendencies. Can you imagine a culture where dressing modestly, being polite to everyone and behaving with manners is an oddity? The Drew character is all that and more. Although disappointed in her peers reaction to her behavior and attire, she presses on with what she knows is right - persevering in the face of being rejected by her peers. She uses her gifts & talents for good and ends up being a role model for all. One of the most outstanding parts of the movie was when she had the opportunity to do something wrong (breaking traffic laws) despite her motives and purpose. A keen student of morality understands that the ends do not justify the means and this scene demonstrated this point beautifully. Well done...well done...well done!!
4
Good Family Film by Dad3E
As a father of three young girls, I knew I was going to see this film from the time I saw the previews. As it turned out, the movie was well made, entertaining and very family friendly. Everyone in the theater (parents and young brothers of the girls) enjoyed Nancy Drew. My little ones all chimed in that they hoped there would be a sequel to the movie. If there is, I would be glad to take them. While the movie certainly will not win any Academy Awards, it is worth the price of a matinee. Take your kids to see Nancy Drew.
5
Nancy Drew by sailmaster
My wife and I took 6 11yr old girls to see the movie as part of a birthday celebration. ALL 6 girls loved the movie. My wife and I really enjoyed it as well. It had everything including the standard car chase but it all worked well and fit together seamlessly. The story and characters pulled you into the film. The film was nostalgic in many ways without being preachy.
5
fun for all ages! by elvisbuffy68
if you are a fan of hardie boys or nancy drew novels you will love this film and even if you never read a single one of either you will enjoy this fun for all ages innocent adventure