Honey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Honey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2003

62%

WISE Score

Jessica Alba hip-hops her way from the Bronx to music-video stardom while teaching kids to dance—and dodge drug dealers.

Honey

movie

16, 2003

62%

WISE Score

Jessica Alba hip-hops her way from the Bronx to music-video stardom while teaching kids to dance—and dodge drug dealers.

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Screenwise Verdict

Honey is the dance-movie equivalent of comfort food: predictable, earnest, and just edgy enough to feel 'cool' to a middle schooler. Jessica Alba's charm carries a formulaic plot, and the core message—use your gifts to help others, don't sell out—is genuinely positive.

That said, it's firmly PG-13 for a reason. The hip-hop choreography is often sexually suggestive, there's a gross producer subplot involving implied quid-pro-quo, and the film doesn't shy away from referencing the drug-dealing reality of the neighborhood. Parents of younger tweens should preview.

The bigger issue? It's a 2003 time capsule. The fashion, the flip phones, the music—it all screams early aughts in a way that might charm nostalgic millennials but leave Gen Alpha kids baffled. If your teen is into dance or can appreciate a throwback, it's a decent watch. If not, it'll feel like homework.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12–16 who can handle PG-13 sexual innuendo and aren't distracted by early-2000s nostalgia. Younger tweens (10–11) might enjoy it with a parent co-viewing and some context about the mature themes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jessica Alba's Honey Daniels is genuinely trying to help neighborhood kids stay off the streets through dance and community center programs—the core message about choosing constructive paths over drugs and violence is solid. The film models perseverance and community service. However, frequent sexually suggestive dance choreography (midriffs, cleavage, hip-hop club scenes), mild profanity (10 obscenities, scatological terms), and a sleazy music producer subplot who expects sexual favors undercut the wholesomeness. It's not mean-spirited, but the PG-13 edge is real.

Imaginative

This is a fairly paint-by-numbers dance-drama following the 'talented girl from the neighborhood makes it big' template. The hip-hop choreography showcases creativity and self-expression through movement, which is appealing, but the plot itself is predictable—scout discovers dancer, she gets her break, faces a moral choice, saves the day. It doesn't invite much viewer creativity or exploration beyond 'maybe I'll try dance class.' Competent but formulaic.

Safe

Rated PG-13 with good reason: sexually suggestive dance sequences throughout, a slap after an unwanted kiss, a producer who pressures Honey for sex (she refuses and slaps him), mild profanity including anatomical terms, and drug-dealing references (though no on-screen use). Australian classification warns it's not suitable for kids under 8. No graphic violence or gore, but the sexual innuendo and mature themes around exploitation in the music industry mean parents of younger viewers should preview. Common Sense Media pegs it at 12+, which feels right—it's not shocking, but it's not a surprise-free zone either.

Enriching

The film does offer positive messages: work hard, help your community, don't compromise your values for fame, and use your talents to lift others up. Honey's choice to walk away from a sleazy producer and redirect her energy toward saving the youth center is admirable. For teens interested in dance or the music industry, it provides a (sanitized) glimpse into choreography careers. That said, the execution is shallow—characters are one-dimensional, conflicts resolve neatly, and the 'inspiration' feels more like a checklist than genuine depth. It's entertaining enough but won't spark deep conversations or lasting insight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong pro-social message: Honey refuses to compromise her values for fame and redirects her success toward helping at-risk neighborhood kids
Showcases hip-hop dance as creative expression and a legitimate career path—inspiring for teens interested in choreography or the music industry
Jessica Alba is charismatic and genuinely likable in the lead role, making the predictable plot more watchable
Uplifting 'follow your dreams but stay true to yourself' vibe that resonates with middle schoolers navigating peer pressure

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What to Watch For

Sexually suggestive dance choreography throughout—lots of midriffs, cleavage, and hip-thrusting club scenes that earn the PG-13
A sleazy music producer subplot where he expects sexual favors; Honey refuses and slaps him, but the implication is clear
Mild profanity (10 obscenities, some scatological/anatomical terms) and references to drug dealing in the neighborhood (no on-screen use)
Very 2003 fashion, music, and slang—your kid may find it hilariously dated or just hard to watch

Conversation Starters

"Honey walks away from a big opportunity because the producer was creepy. Have you ever had to say no to something that seemed good but felt wrong?"
"She uses her success to help the community center. If you had a special talent or got famous, what cause would you want to support?"
"The movie shows kids choosing dance over dealing drugs. What do you think makes it hard for some kids to stay out of trouble, and what actually helps?"
"Do you think the way women dancers are shown in music videos has changed since 2003, or is it pretty much the same?"

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