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Review: 'Fanboy and Chum Chum'

Review: 'Fanboy and Chum Chum'

Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

 

See a video clip and another clip from 'Fanboy and Chum Chum.'

 

"Fanboy and Chum Chum" follows the over-the-top adventures of best friends -- and self-described superheroes -- Fanboy (voiced by David Hornsby) and his trusty sidekick, Chum Chum (Nika Futterman).

 

Although their green-and-purple supersuits belie any real powers, this comic book-loving, thrill-seeking duo sees each day as an opportunity to experience life to the maximum, whether that means swapping noses for school picture day or trying to teach the class pig the finer points of martial arts.

 

When they're not hanging out at the local comics shop or cooking up their latest off-the-wall scheme, the guys can often be found at the Frosty Mart, chugging Frosty Freezies to induce the world's worst brain freeze.

 

If you're looking for deep content and lasting lessons, then this show isn't for you -- or for your kids. Precious little of it can be applied to reality, especially when it comes to Fanboy and Chum Chum's experiences at school, where they enjoy nearly free rein to goof off and hardly put effort into their work. Even the nature of their friendship may be troubling to some parents, since Fanboy's control over his pal's actions sometimes verges on bullying.

 

But there's no doubt that it's entertaining. So if your young tweens can check their sense of reality at the door, this silly show offers a fun depiction of the wild imagination that they probably share with the main characters. For younger kids, though, the blurry line between fiction and realistic lifestyles may be a little confusing.

 

Parents Need to Know

 

Parents need to know that there's little depth to this over-the-top show about two friends who fancy themselves superheroes, but their thrill-seeking adventures will appeal to young tweens with vivid imaginations of their own.

 

Exaggerated, comic-style violence (mostly explosions, dramatic falls, and collisions) is a common result of the ridiculous scenarios the guys get themselves into, but none of it leads to lasting injury.

 

Fanboy and Chum Chum are hardly strong role models for kids, as they spend most of their time -- even in school -- goofing off, and Chum Chum eagerly does Fanboy's bidding without question. But for kids who can suspend their sense of reality, it's a fun extension of the preteen set's wild imaginations.

 

Families Can Talk About

 

  • Families can talk about bullying. Why is bullying a problem? Do you think the way Fanboy treats Chum Chum could be seen as bullying? Why or why not?

 

  • Do you think violence on TV is a problem? How does the type of violence -- fantasy vs. realistic -- affect its impact on viewers?

 

  • Who are some of your own heroes? Why do you look up to them? Do you admire any celebrities (actors, sports figures, etc.)? If so, who, and why?

 

TV rating: TV-Y Network: Nickelodeon: Cast: Jamie Kennedy, Nika Futterman, David Hornsby Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animatio

 

Reviewed by Emily Ashby.

 

See more about "Fanboy and Chum Chum" at Common Sense Media.

Related:  tv

Other Parents Say…

Showing 1-10 Comments of 12
  • Avatar
    Posted by Bob Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:08pm PST

    ITS SO FREAKIN AWSOME LIL BOGIE FROM PA.

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  • Avatar
    Posted by lqyryan209 Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:10am PST

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  • Avatar
    Posted by connorjl@verizon.net Sat Nov 14, 2009 4:58pm PST

    great show!

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Jordan Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:40pm PST

    i never got 2 watch it yet sooo i hope it's reallly good!!!!!!!!!

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Jordan Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:40pm PST

    i never got 2 watch it yet sooo i hope it's reallly good!!!!!!!!!

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Lesley Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:55pm PST

    i hate that

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    Posted by Lesley Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:56pm PST

    dont read that i mest up its a good show

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Lesley Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:57pm PST

    its a good show

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Stephon 7 hours 56 minutes ago

    i like that show very much

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  • Avatar
    Posted by Stephon 7 hours 56 minutes ago

    i like that show very much

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