I took my 10-year-old daughter to see Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D this week. The movie opens today, July 5th, across the country.
Both of my daughters are big Katy Perry fans and were excited to see the movie. I wasn’t sure if my 7-year-old would be mature enough for the content. Knowing Katy’s sex kitten persona, I was also concerned about my 10-year-old.
Part of Me received a PG rating, making it only the second MTV Films movie to receive that rating after Napoleon Dynamite. It is also the only documentary from MTV Films to get a PG rating.
I think this film is fine for kids 9 and up. There isn’t nudity or adult themes but there is some mild language. Younger kids may miss the meaning of the film and may not find the content outside the concert footage entertaining.
Part of Me chronicles Katy’s life on and off stage during her 2011 California Dreams tour. The year-long tour included 124 shows and earned almost $60 million. Katy played to sold out crowds spanning the globe.
The movie opens with video clips of kids, teens and young adults sharing why they love Katy. Many say they are inspired by her uniqueness and encouragement that everyone should be an individual.
We meet Katy and her team, including her make up artist, manager and costume designer. Her brother, sister and parents also make appearances. Katy’s road to success story is shared and intermixed with clips from her concerts.
Katy at age 18 sharing her thoughts on growing up and wanting to become a star.
This movie isn’t just a concert film with soundbites from those who work closely with Katy. The movie has a strong message about being an individual and working hard to achieve your dreams. Katy thanks her fans for encouraging her uniqueness and allowing it.
At one point, Katy thanks her fans, “Thank you for believing in my weirdness!”
The film also explains that Katy’s explosion onto the world’s stage was not an easy one. She worked hard, knocked on doors and wrote hundreds of songs. The road to success also included a first record contract where Katy was expected to fit into a box. She was told to sing a certain songs a certain way, with a certain look.
My daughter’s takeaway quote from the movie was when record exec’s were trying to figure out if she was going to be the next Britney Spears or the next Avril Levine. Katy said she wanted to be the FIRST Katy Perry.
That’s a strong message for tweens and teens trying to fit in and be part of the crowd.
Katy says, “Believe in yourself and you can be anything.”
The movie also shows the real and raw part of being a celebrity. There are stark differences between Katy Perry the person and Katy Perry the entertainer. I truly admire Katy for showing young girls that her looks are made up and that she looks like a real person when she isn’t in the public eye.
Katy Perry entering the stage for her opening number during her California Dreams tour.
The strongest part of this movie was when you know Katy’s marriage to Russell Brand is over and she sobs before a huge concert in Brazil. Her team asks her if she will be able to go on. Watching Katy turn from a heartbroken girl to performer is incredibly raw and moving.
It really shows how performers must turn it on for a show every night, even in hard times.
Part of Me depicts Katy Perry at her highest moments, lowest moments and everything in between. It also shows her strong, intelligent side. Katy isn’t just a face, she manages and controls her empire – another great quality to show young girls.
“I wanted to be that quirky girl who writes funny songs that still have meaning.”
– Katy Perry
The take aways from this movie? Be beautiful, be sexy, wear make up, wear wigs, but be yourself, be human, be driven, work hard and use your intelligence.
That’s a lot more than I ever thought I’d take away from a concert documentary.
The best part of this movie? When my 10-year-old leaned over and hugged me.
By the end of the movie we were dancing and singing in our seats to Katy’s California Gurls and Firework. We walked out hand in hand and chatted all the way home about the movie and it’s messages.
Now that’s a good movie.
Susan Wells is a native Colorado mom to two girls, ages 7 and 10. She loves to find the learning in everything. In past lives, Susan has been a symphony bassist, sound engineer, news web producer and web developer. She currently works for Steve Spangler Science in web marketing, social media and blogging. She also blogs at TwoHandsTwoFeet.com.
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