Review

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Common Sense Media says

Entertaining concert film follows pop singer's highs, lows.
Age
10
Quality
 

  • Although some of Perry's lyrics are questionable -- like the behavior referenced in "Last Friday Night" -- others have inspirational, empowering messages, like "Firework." Perry's many young fans tell the audience in recorded messages how much her music has meant to them or helped them overcome a sadness or difficulty. Perry has a loving, supportive family -- from her sister Angela to her very religious parents, who accept Perry despite the secular nature of her lyrics -- and a group of close, loyal assistants and support staff.
  • Perry promotes the idea that everyone should embrace what makes them unique -- that "weirdness" is what distinguishes each of us from others. Perry is generous and goes above and beyond to meet and greet her many fans. Pretty much everyone in the film, with the notable exception of Russell Brand, is fiercely loyal, encouraging, and kind.
  • A couple of emotional scenes when Perry is crying or upset. In one scene, Perry talks to a little boy from the Make-A-Wish Foundation whose wish was to meet her.
  • Perry and Brand kiss (briefly) in a couple of scenes. Perry wears tight/revealing outfits (like Wonder Woman-style costumes, and low-plunging necklines). The song "I Kissed a Girl" explores a fluid sense of sexuality (the singer has a boyfriend but got so trashed that she ended up kissing a girl).
  • Infrequent use of words including "damn," "hell," "ass," and "oh my God." "S--t" is bleeped. Lyrics include a couple of suggestive words -- including many references to someone's "peacock," and the word "bee-yotch."
  • Not many product placements, but the film obviously encourages you to support Perry and buy her songs/album.
  • Perry, her friends, and her staff drink in a couple of quick scenes and in photos from her days on the L.A. club scene. Brand is shown with a cigarette. In the song "Last Friday Night," the narrator can't remember what happened because she had so many shots, went streaking, has hickeys she can't distinguish from bruises, etc.; "I Kissed a Girl" is also about something that happened when the narrator was inebriated.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Katy Perry: Part of Me is a 3-D concert film that follows international pop star Katy Perry during her year-long California Dreams world tour. As she's criss-crossing the globe, Perry deals with her marriage to British comedian Russell Brand, which ultimately falls apart. Although most of the concert footage is tame enough for older kids, some of Perry's song lyrics deal with mature themes -- like the consequences of partying and the dissolution of a relationship. But through the triumphs and tragedies, Perry helps teach and inspire her fans that it's OK to be different, that you should never give up on your dreams, and that everyone deserves a fairy tale kind of love.


This review of Katy Perry: Part of Me was written by
Age
10
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 55% say there are positive messages
  • 55% say there are positive role models
  • 36% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Parent
July 9, 2012
 
G Pop Star: More depth and positivity than all kids movies currently out there
This is a G rated documentary about a very talented, inspirational young woman. The only reason I would not take my 5 year old to this movie is he might become too bored (as there might be too much talking). I'm not sure where Common Sense Media came up with 2 stars for "sexy stuff" and 2 stars for drinking and drugs (the only reference to drinking I saw was a bottle of champagne being opened after a concert). Perry's music is mostly the game "Candy Land" on steroids, with some tongue-in-cheek sexual references, mostly based on falling in love. Kids of all ages hear more language and sexual references in school or in their own parent's houses (only heard one word of "bad" language, all in context of the situation). This is a very well made documentary focusing on the star's rise and her challenges along the way, mostly around remaining true to herself in the music business. The movie showed real life challenges of a marriage, and real emotion, which is missing in most movies. Most of Perry's on stage outfits consists of candy, fairytale and bird themes. She is a true entertainer and inspiration for all ages, and if you don't take your (especially creative/musical) child to this movie, I think you're missing out.

Kid, 11 years old
July 6, 2012
 
Wonderful message.
Katy is all about loving the skin that you are in and accepting yourself for who you are. Everyone should feel how Katy is trying to explain to them.

Teen, 15 years old
July 6, 2012
 
Part of katey perry
I saw this movie and i am 12. The movie is not what i thought it would be. I thought it would be a really good movie but it was ok. This movie has a really good message to it, the message is just be yourself. If you like movies that are biographies then this movie would be perfect.

Kid, 11 years old
July 6, 2012
 
It was really good
There was a few bleeped out bad words some of it was fully said. They where also talking about some body parts. but her dress was so cute!

Adult
July 8, 2012
 
Interesting, pleasant, clean documentary of this huge star
This documentary covering the enormous world tour Katy Perry undertook in 2011 was surprisingly tame for a big music star behind-the-scenes film. There is virutally no bad language (one instance of a** and one bleeped out s***.) No drugs, no partying, nothing racy. Katy comes across as a sweet, determined, talented young woman, with a suppportive team of sister, best friends and others. They did discuss her strict Christian upbringing, and her parents were briefly interviewed. Though they didn't seem terribly thrilled by her choice of career, the movie doesn't get into that drama, if there is any. There's lots of eye-popping concert footage, and uplifting messages from Katy and her fans. Do be prepared that Katy becomes very distressed at the dissolution of her marriage. Though there aren't a lot of details, she is seen sad and crying, lying down and almost not able to go on with several shows due to upsetting messages with now ex-husband Russel Brand. She rallies, however, puts on a smile and gathers strength from her fans. I think kids 9 and over would do fine with this film. Younger ones might be upset at seeing Katy during her down times, and frankly, may get bored and restless. I saw a few younger kids looking pretty disinterested - the movie is mostly interviews and behind the scenes footage with concerts mixed in - no plot and no story of the kind kids younger than 8 are used to seeing. My own daughter, who is 9 and loves movies and Katy, told me it was "a little boring". I think I may have enjoyed it more than her! All in all, a pleasant, enjoyable look at a talented girl on her way to the top.

Teen, 13 years old
July 10, 2012
 
Should be PG-13+ : overtly suggestive lyrics, outfits, choreography, and subject matter
CSM says about her music "her behavior isn't always exemplary -- and some of her songs are iffy at best" and "some of Perry's music inappropriate for younger kids to listen to/sing", many of the outfits and choreography are overtly suggestive.

Adult
July 10, 2012
 
A Nice Surprise
Today, I came into the theater expecting a movie that was cheesy and fake looking. A movie that was made so that the popular pop star, Katy Perry, would have a larger fan base. I was completely wrong. This movie was unexpected and inspiring. I loved it! I went with my mom who barely knew who the movie's namesake was, let alone ever heard her singing, but even my mom loved it. I do have to say that there was one part that kind of made me sorry I went with my mom. That would be when she sang "Peacock". The song lyrics are extremely suggestive and not for ten year olds. Besides that the only other part that was kind of iffy, was when she talked about her parents being extremely christian, and the effect it had on them when she came out with the song "I Kissed a Girl". The only other problem was that there is some minor, infrequent cuss words such as b**ch and a**

Kid, 11 years old
July 8, 2012
 
A Documentary That's Actually Entertaining
This is THE documentary of the decade. It's much better than that idiot Justin Bieber's pointless and boring documentary just to ruin fans' throats. This doc is entertaining, emotional, fun, hilarious, make-you-feel-singy, and most of all, feel-good. It's so feel-good that I would call it the feel-good movie of the summer. This movie is Christian, which is awesome. I loved the Christian values taught in here. So yeah. Awesome movie. The only points that were bad was: the unnecessary and horrible cameo by Justin Bieber (that ruined the audience's throats) and the abrupt ending. There were famous Katy Perry songs in the movie, which will have the audience standing up and cheering and singing along. It gives a huge sneak peek inside Perry's personal life and her mid-life crisis behind the makeup and the stage. The movie also features fans' funny reactions and outfits and makeup. The 3D is good only in concert scenes, with things popping out and the feeling of the screen depth. In other scenes, there's no 3D at all. No things popping out at you or the sense of depth behind the screen. Now for the parental review. This doc is more sensual than you think it would be. Lots of cleavage of Perry and other people. There are close-ups of sensitive body parts. A lot of songs have sexual lyrics. Perry and Russell Brand kiss in some scenes and there's talk of them falling in love, dating, and divorcing. So lots of talk about their marriage and it's a main plot point of the movie. There is also a fair amount of language. Mild obscenities are somewhat used throughout the movie (b***h, h**l, a*s) and religious obscenities despite that Perry is a Christian. S**t is bleeped out twice. This doc has strong consumerism since it promotes all of Perry's songs, references Brand's R-rated movie Get Him to the Greek, the Good Morning Show, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and a celebrity montage is shown. There's moderate drinking since Perry is shown in a club with her friends, drinking liquid in red cups and some scenes of smoking. So it is very strong for a PG movie. But there are strong positive messages and role models. This film is a good watch for older tweens and up. If you're not a Perry fan though, hey, The Amazing Spider-Man also just released and is in theaters to enjoy (check out my review of it [top review]).

Adult
July 8, 2012
 
Katy Perry rules!
Katy Perry has fans I saw it for yesterday.

Kid, 10 years old
July 8, 2012
 
on of my favorite.
i think this is a good movie for 9 and up because i went with my sis to whatch the movie, and she said it was boring........ i'm a big fan sooo i didn't find it boring at all!!!!!!

(G, 2009)
Young Jonas fans will adore the Brothers' concert flick.
(G, 2008)

Young fans will love sugary sweet concert film.

(PG, 2011)

"Greatest hits" show is tame enough for tween Gleeks.