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iGo to Japan

(Rated TV-Y7, Comedy, Starring Nathan Kress, Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Where to watch: Nickelodeon)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    iCarly crew delivers more wild antics.

Themes in this show include:   friendship

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    This special is meant to be fun, not educational.
  • Messages:

    Some positive take-aways about working together for a common goal, but there's also a bit of bullying and potty humor, as well as some iffy behavior connected to Internet safety. Plot points include the abduction of the three main characters by their competitors in an award competition -- but the kidnappers get their due in the end.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models:

    The two prominent adult characters aren't very realistic role models: Carly's flaky, immature older brother acts as her guardian, and Freddie's overprotective mom is often the willing brunt of the teens' jokes. Sam continuously pushes Freddie around (throws pudding in his face, degrades him, etc.), and he never stands up to her bullying.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Lots of the slapstick variety: A girl smacks a boy in the head with an apple, a man parachutes into a woman and knocks her down, a man receives electric shocks from a foreign language tutorial collar that zaps him for incorrect answers, etc.
  • Sexy stuff:

    A man refers to a life-size cutout of a woman as "hot" and "fine." In one scene, a man is said to be naked, though only his torso is seen. Freddie occasionally refers to his long-standing crush on Carly.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Characters often mention iCarly.com in the context of the plot, but there's little prompting for viewers to visit the show's real-life sister site to check out more content or submit their own. A brief performance by the band Good Charlotte.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About iGo to Japan

Parents need to know that this TV movie is tied into the popular series iCarly and offers more of the same wacky -- if fairly unrealistic -- fun that the show's tween viewers have come to enjoy. There's some mild flirting, a few instances of bullying (Sam likes to pick on Freddie for his crush on Carly), and not much in the way of realistic, responsible adult supervision -- but little of this will surprise tweens. The subject of Internet safety is raised when Carly hastily accepts an online invitation from a stranger to travel overseas for an awards show, so be sure to follow up with kids about your family's rules concerning the Internet. On a positive note, while the movie includes frequent mention of iCarly.com, viewers aren't encouraged to visit the site for blogs or downloads as often as they are during the series.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the Internet. What do you use the Internet for? What kinds of things have you seen that you weren't looking for?
  • How do advertisers get your attention while you're online? Have ads ever enticed you to visit other Web sites? If so, which ones?
  • How does the Internet change how you can communicate with your friends? Do you think it's a good thing that anyone can post anything on the Web? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever known anyone who was bullied or intimidated by someone in this manner? Remind your kids to never consent to any offers they receive -- or give out personal information of any kind online.

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Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about iGo to Japan?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

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  • or to post a review
See all 15 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models

    A LITTLE TO INTENSE FOR YOUNG VIEWERS.

    This movie is a little on the intense and scary side for younger kids because theres lots of vilonce and brief peril that you wouldent see on an everyday icarly show. But to older viewers it will be as great as ever!! and i am one of those viewers!!!!

  2. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    ok

    People get popped in the face in this a lot. It was ok but not as good as the show

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    very good but................

    some iffy stuff and bad rolemodels but still a very good show.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Really Funny Movie, But Iffy

    This Movie was inappropiate in some ways. Kyoko and Yuki were fighting, Freddie got a black eye, Carly slapped freddie in the face, some characters were using bad language, and some main characters were bad role models. It was still a great movie!

  5. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 2.0

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    i hate this movie its lame annoying boring dont watch

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