NANCY DREW

by Jane Louise Boursaw

MPAA Rating: PG for mild violence, thematic elements, and brief language. 
Suggested Ages: 8+
Released in Theaters: June 15, 2007
Reel Rating: 3 out of 4 Reels

Should you take the kids? Yes! This movie has lots of action, suspense and laughs, but it's mild enough for kids 8 and older. Nancy's also a great role model for young girls. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below.

THE STORY: Over the years, the beloved teen sleuth known as Nancy Drew has solved more than 500 mysteries – in books written by Carolyn Keene (a pseudonym for many authors); in movies dating back to the 1930's; and in various TV shows, most notably one in the 1970's starring Pamela Sue Martin.

Now the franchise reboots itself with this movie, directed by Andrew Fleming. The movie opens with young Nancy (Emma Roberts, who's a mini-me of her Aunt Julia) and her dad, attorney Carson Drew (Tate Donovan), leaving their friendly hometown of River Heights and heading west to Los Angeles for a few months. Carson has a consulting job with high-powered estate attorney, Dashiel Biedermeyer (Barry Bostwick). 

Enrolling at Hollywood High School, Nancy is most definitely "the new girl in town." With her penny loafers, matching sweater sets, and impeccable manners, she doesn't exactly fit in with the self-absorbed, fast-paced kids in L.A., especially reigning fashionistas Inga and Trish (Daniella Monet and Kelly Vitz), who make her life miserable.

The Carsons are staying in the Draycott Mansion, an abandoned estate with a mystery: the unexplained death of its former owner, glamorous film star Dehlia Draycott (Laura Harring, in flashbacks). Within hours of their arrival, some of Nancy's personal items go missing, she hears weird noises, and a menacing caretaker named Leshing (Marshall Bell) makes it clear that he doesn't appreciate their company.

The young detective can't help herself. She has to get involved, even though she's promised her dad no more sleuthing. He's proud of his daughter's accomplishments, but worries for her safety. River Heights was a small town, and they knew the police chief personally. But it's a different story in the sprawling metropolis of L.A. So he and Nancy agreed that she would take a break from detective work in California.

While there, Nancy ponders her feelings for Ned (Max Thieriot), the boy she left back in River Heights. Imagine her surprised when he shows up in her beloved sky-blue convertible – Carson asked him to drive it to L.A. as a birthday present for Nancy.

Rounding out the cast are Rachael Leigh Cook as Jane Brighton, a single mom living with her daughter in an L.A. apartment; Caroline Aaron as an eager real estate agent; Emmy Award winner Pat Carroll as the Draycott estate's gossipy landlady; and Josh Flitter as Corky, a fast-talking 12-year-old with a huge crush on Nancy.

Friends Bess (Amy Bruckner) and George (Kay Panabaker) appear briefly, but they stay back in River Heights, as does the Carson's housekeeper Hannah (Monica Parker).

BRINGING THE KIDS:

PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): With Nancy Drew in high school and dealing with cliques, crushes, and romance, this movie is too grown-up for preschoolers. A better option is that little Latina girl we all know and love, Dora the Explorer. With her pal Boots and talking map and backpack, the little girl with the page-boy haircut is right at home solving all sorts of preschool-friendly mysteries.

GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): In many of the Nancy Drew books, the amateur detective is described as an 18-year-old girl with blonde hair. Here, she's a 16-year-old girl with reddish-brown hair (although she DID have dark hair in the earlier books). But no matter. Emma Roberts inhabits the role with stellar panache and the same dazzling smile as her Auntie Julia (Roberts).

Best of all: There's very little objectionable content. Sexual content includes one brief kiss and two girls in tight outfits who flirt with Ned. Violence includes a few harrowing scenes: Nancy nearly falls off a roof, gets caught by bad guys, and is involved in a car chase. Language includes "what the hell," "freak," "idiot," "oh God," "porky," and a few insults from the L.A. girls. Still, it's all fairly mild and ok for kids 8 and older (a few scenes might be too scary for kids younger than 8). This movie will probably appeal more to girls than boys.

TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): Nancy Drew is smart, fearless, confident, and she can hold her own in any situation just by being herself. In short, she's the epitome of Girl Power, whether she's diffusing bombs, exploring damp tunnels, or dodging speeding cars. Cool as a cucumber! She's also doing stuff that most girls would probably love to do, which is why she never goes out of style.

SCORE: 3 out of 4 Reels.

JANE'S REEL RATING SYSTEM:

One Reel – Pathetic. Even the Force can't save it.
Two Reels – Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Read my other reviews HERE.