I took my daughters to see Nancy Drew today and we all loved it! It was funny and interesting and cute and a perfect movie for girls of any age. Probably boys of any age, too. I just don't have any of those. The Nancy Drew character makes it hip to be square. Her sleuthing buddy, Corky, is hilarious. The story is interesting enough that you want to know the secret behind the mystery (although it is pretty easy to predict who the good and bad guys are). There are laughs at the "Martha Stewart"-like qualities that Nancy possesses, but never any ridiculing of all her positive attributes. In other words, the movie does not make fun of the fact that Nancy is conscientious and honorable and honest and smart and modest and old-fashioned. Well, there are a lot of jokes about it, but they are not laughing at those things, but at the reaction to someone who is those things. I know I didn't explain that well, but it is just a really good movie and Nancy Drew is an excellent role model. I go to a lot of kid movies and this is one of the best ones by far. I took my six and ten year old daughters and one of their friends and they all loved it. There was a girl I would guess to be around nine years old sitting in front of us with her mom and grandmother and they all laughed the entire time, too. Lots of good, clean fun, but not so syrupy that it was corny or boring. If you have a daughter, take her to this movie.
I should not have said kids of "all ages." My only reservation is with very young kids. My six year old was fine in the movie, but she has seen the Pirates of the Caribbean so she might not be the best guide. It might have too many violent/scary scenes for a very young child that is easily frightened, but there is no blood or anything like that. It is almost cartoonish violence, although a bomb does explode and Nancy is threatened to be shot (or strangled or stabbed -- it is a long story). My younger daughter really enjoyed it because she has been reading Nancy Drew books this summer, but my ten year old liked it just as much. I think I might have enjoyed it more than both of them. Sorry to gush, but I really couldn't find anything that I didn't like about the movie.
Update: The reviews are mixed. I am really glad I didn't see them before seeing the movie. In my opinion, those who hated the movie seemed to be expecting a film with some heavy significance. It's just fun people! Non-serious fun that it is safe to take your kids to see. That is rare today and that is why I liked the movie so much.
I agree! It was campy fun and I too noticed that they don't make fun of Nancy's positive attributes. My young (10 & 8) sisters were allowed to see Mean Girls last year; I was thinking the whole time that I'd rather them see a dozen movies like Nancy Drew than all that sex-riddled teenaged angst with nary a positive figure to be found.
Posted by: Jennifer | Monday, June 25, 2007 at 08:11 AM
My wife, 6yr old daughter and myself loved it too! The language was cleaner them most tv shows, I thought the actors all did well and they mystery held my interest. Yes you could predict some of the things coming down the pike, and I am not sure about why we needed the unwed mother's home at the end - fortunetly that question was handled with a short conversation by her mother. All in all it was a fun way for dad to spend his birthday - see a good family movie with his best girls!
Posted by: Paul | Monday, June 25, 2007 at 08:33 AM
To me the NANCY DREW character will always be Pamela Sue Martin from the old TV series. But younger viewers new to this series can easily accept any new actress in the lead role much like newer viewers will accept the latest JAMES BOND actor.
Posted by: Paul Hooson | Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 01:38 AM
I forgot all about that television show, but as soon as I read your comment I could see her face in my mind. I remember better the Hardy Boys show with Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson. I was at that age when I followed all the teeny bopper idols.
Posted by: Lorie Byrd | Monday, July 02, 2007 at 12:06 AM