SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: HONEY

"HONEY"
(2003) (Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Moderate	Minor	Heavy	Minor	None

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	None	*None	Mild

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Moderate	*None	Minor	Moderate	Mild

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: A young dancer must overcome various obstacles as she tries to make it in the music video business and raise enough money to open a new dance center for the local kids.

PLOT:

Honey Daniels (JESSICA ALBA) is an ambitious and talented 22-year-old dancer who teaches hip-hop dance lessons to the local youth in a New York City center run by her mother, Darlene (LONETTE McKEE). She also works in a record store with her best friend, Gina (JOY BRYANT), who keeps pushing Honey to pursue her dream of appearing as a backup dancer in music videos.

She gets her break when music video director Michael Ellis (DAVID MOSCOW) sees a videotape of her doing her thing in a local club where she competes with her rival, Katrina (LAURIE ANN GIBSON). He then hires Honey not only to dance in the videos of some prominent hip-hop artists, but also to start choreographing the entire numbers.

Things seem to be going great for Honey. She's suddenly making a lot of money, a local barbershop owner, Chaz (MEKHI PHIFER), is sweet on her, and she's befriended a young kid, Raymond (ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS), while trying to get his older brother, Benny (LIL' ROMEO), away from the drug business run by local hood B.B. (WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS).

Yet, when various complications threaten to derail her career and her dream of opening a new dance center to keep the kids off the streets, Honey must do what she can to accomplish her goals.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of anyone in the cast (including appearances by real music artists) or hip-hop music and related music videos, they just might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For drug content and some sexual references.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: JESSICA ALBA plays an ambitious and talented 22-year-old dancer who must overcome various obstacles to her dreams of making it in the music video business and opening a new dancer center for the local kids. She befriends Raymond, tries to set Benny on the straight and narrow, eventually gets romantically involved with Chaz, and does some drinking.
MEKHI PHIFER plays a barbershop owner who's sweet on Honey and briefly uses some profanity.
JOY BRYANT plays Honey's best friend who pushes her to succeed and is then upset when she has less time to hang out with her. She briefly uses some profanity and does some drinking.
LIL' ROMEO plays a young kid who has the dance moves that impress and inspire Honey but is teetering on the wrong side of the tracks (and drug dealing and theft) due to a pessimistic but realistic attitude about his future.
DAVID MOSCOW plays a music video director who initially seems interested in Honey's talent as a dancer and choreographer, but then turns into a jerk when she refuses his unwelcome advances. He briefly uses some profanity.
LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; MEKHI PHIFER plays a barbershop owner who's sweet on Honey and briefly uses some profanity.
JOY BRYANT plays Honey's best friend who pushes her to succeed and is then upset when she has less time to hang out with her. She briefly uses some profanity and does some drinking.
LIL' ROMEO plays a young kid who has the dance moves that impress and inspire Honey but is teetering on the wrong side of the tracks (and drug dealing and theft) due to a pessimistic but realistic attitude about his future.
DAVID MOSCOW plays a music video director who initially seems interested in Honey's talent as a dancer and choreographer, but then turns into a jerk when she refuses his unwelcome advances. He briefly uses some profanity.
LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; JOY BRYANT plays Honey's best friend who pushes her to succeed and is then upset when she has less time to hang out with her. She briefly uses some profanity and does some drinking.
LIL' ROMEO plays a young kid who has the dance moves that impress and inspire Honey but is teetering on the wrong side of the tracks (and drug dealing and theft) due to a pessimistic but realistic attitude about his future.
DAVID MOSCOW plays a music video director who initially seems interested in Honey's talent as a dancer and choreographer, but then turns into a jerk when she refuses his unwelcome advances. He briefly uses some profanity.
LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; LIL' ROMEO plays a young kid who has the dance moves that impress and inspire Honey but is teetering on the wrong side of the tracks (and drug dealing and theft) due to a pessimistic but realistic attitude about his future.
DAVID MOSCOW plays a music video director who initially seems interested in Honey's talent as a dancer and choreographer, but then turns into a jerk when she refuses his unwelcome advances. He briefly uses some profanity.
LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; DAVID MOSCOW plays a music video director who initially seems interested in Honey's talent as a dancer and choreographer, but then turns into a jerk when she refuses his unwelcome advances. He briefly uses some profanity.
LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; LONETTE McKEE plays Honey's mom who wants better things for her daughter and worries about her future.
ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS plays Benny's younger brother who doesn't have many friends until Honey befriends him.
LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; LAURIE ANN GIBSON plays another dancer who's Honey's rival and doesn't like her.
WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.; WES MAESTRO WILLIAMS plays a local drug dealer who's pulled Benny into his business and doesn't like that Honey has him interested in other things.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this drama that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 5 "s" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. Some non-explicit, sexually related dialogue is present, various women are seen in tight and/or revealing attire, a young woman purposefully adjusts her clothed breasts in front of a guy, some brief kissing occurs and we see some patrons inside a gay or transvestite club.

Various characters have bad attitudes, including a drug dealer who gets a kid involved in his business (we see such dealing, but no use) and briefly acts menacingly toward a woman, as well as a man who comes on to his business associate only to be slapped in return. Some characters drink, while various forms of imitative behavior are present.

Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Honey serves drinks at the club where she works as a bartender.
A comment is made about a person being a "crack head."
Honey and Gina have drinks in a bar (where others drink) where Gina downs a shot and there's talk of getting drunk.
A guy is asked, "How's your stash?" and he replies that it's fine for the day. We then see some drug dealing on the street.
People have drinks in a club where Honey and others have champagne.
Honey sees some drug dealing occurring on the street.
People have drinks at a party where Honey tells Michael "that's the cognac speaking" when he starts to come on to her. She later tells him that he's drunk.

BLOOD/GORE: We hear that Raymond's mom's boyfriend hit Benny (not seen) and we then see Benny with a small reddish mark on his lip.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Katrina has a bad attitude toward Honey and Gina.
A kid whacks another kid for making a derogatory comment.
A choreographer working for Michael has a bad attitude, especially toward Honey.
Several characters are drug dealers who get Benny involved in the trade and thug life that includes telling Benny to take a prep school boy's tennis shoes and later getting Benny to do a drug deal (resulting in him getting arrested).
Raymond's mother has a sarcastic attitude toward Honey.
We hear that Raymond's mom's boyfriend hit Benny (not seen) and we then see Benny with a small reddish mark on his lip.
B.B. is upset that Benny hasn't been around as part of his gang and acts threateningly and menacingly toward Honey until Chaz shows up.
It turns out Michael lied to Honey about a business meeting and instead takes her to a party where he then comes on to her. After she rebukes his advances and slaps him, he calls her "bitch" and then gets his revenge on her by changing his mind about using her young friends in his next music video. He also blackballs her by preventing her from getting work on other videos. Later, he tries to get her to come back to work, but only because his career and reputation are on the line.
Michael slaps Katrina on her clothed butt.

FRIGHTENING SCENES: B.B. is upset that Benny hasn't been around as part of his gang and acts threateningly and menacingly toward Honey until Chaz shows up.
An older thug tells Benny to take a prep school boy's tennis shoes. We see him approach the kid (with other young punks behind him) and then see him running out of the subway station with them and the shoes.

GUNS/WEAPONS: None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Talk sh*t," "That's the sh*t," "Pack up your sh*t," "Club ho," "Crack head," "Your flavor's hot," "I'm schooling you," "If you had listened to me, your ass would have been famous by now," "Dawg," "Hell yeah," "You're ducking like a bobble-head," "It's tight," "Who the hell /are you/is Katrina?" "Shut up," "Before you piss him off," "Hootchies," "Hip-hop pied piper," "Bum ass," "Bitch," "This is whack," "Hood rat," "What the hell we doing here?" and "You big dummy."
Honey, Gina and many other women wear midriff-revealing tops (including sports bras or the equivalent) and various forms of tight-fitting attire throughout the film.
The dancing and related moves (including break dancing) and hip-hop attire and attitude might be enticing for some kids to imitate.
Various men and women have various tattoos (Gina has one on her lower back).
Honey has a pierced navel.
We various instances of graffiti on buildings.
Michael slaps Katrina on her clothed butt.
An older thug tells Benny to take a prep school boy's tennis shoes. We see him approach the kid and then see him running out of the subway station with them.

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): Some songs had lyrics we couldn't hear or understand, thus offering the possibility of them potentially containing objectionable material.

PROFANITY: At least 5 "s" words, 5 asses, 5 hells, 3 damns and 1 use each of "God" and "Oh my God."

SEX/NUDITY: Various miscellaneous women show varying amounts of cleavage at times during the movie. In addition, Honey, Gina and many other women wear midriff-revealing tops (including sports bras or the equivalent) and various forms of tight-fitting attire throughout the film.
The camera briefly focuses on a woman's clothed butt.
Gina blatantly adjusts her clothed breasts in front of a guy's face to tease him.
Some of the dancing that occurs in the film is of a sensual/sexual nature.
When Michael approaches Gina and says he's a music video director, she doesn't believe him and says that every guy's a director when "he wants some booty."
Gina shows some cleavage.
Some scantily clad women do some sensual/sexualized dancing in a music video.
Gina jokes about Honey going out in her bustier and "hooker heels." She then says that it sounds like Michael is trying to dip his finger in the honey jar and there's more talk about trying to get some "booty."
Michael and Honey meet some recording artists in a gay or transvestite club (and we briefly see some men dressed as women along with dancing, etc.).
We see some men in small and tight shorts with leather straps across their chests in a music video.
Chaz and Honey do some brief passionate kissing in his closed barbershop at night (the scene then ends and we don't know what, if anything, else happens).
Honey shows some cleavage.
Michael tries to come on to Honey until she tells him to stop and smacks him.
Michael slaps Katrina on her clothed butt.

SMOKING: None seen (although it's possible some occurred in the background of club scenes that we did not note).

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: Honey gets a tiny bit perturbed with her mom always wanting her to do other things and be another type of person.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: Pursuing one's dreams.
Falling in with the wrong crowd and participating in illegal activities.
Benny is pessimistic yet accepting of his future, saying good things happen to some people and not others, and he believes he falls into the latter group.
The notion of being happy or rich.
Michael and Honey meet some recording artists in a gay or transvestite club (and we briefly see some men dressed as women along with dancing, etc.).

VIOLENCE: Katrina purposefully bumps into Honey and Gina. In turn, Gina grabs Katrina and yanks her hair (that she says isn't real).
A kid whacks another kid for making a derogatory comment.
We hear that Raymond's mom's boyfriend hit Benny (not seen) and we then see Benny with a small reddish mark on his lip.
Honey smacks Michael when he won't stop coming on to her.
Michael slams some pool table balls while angry at Honey.

Reviewed December 2, 2003 / Posted December 5, 2003

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