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Movies / On DVD / Honey
Honey

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Honey (2003)

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Reviews Counted:111

Fresh:22

Rotten:89

Average Rating:4.1/10

Consensus: An attractive Jessica Alba and energetic dance numbers provide some lift to this corny and formulaic movie.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for drug content and some sexual references

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Dec 5, 2003 Wide

Box Office: $30,222,640

Synopsis: Honey Daniels (JESSICA ALBA, of television's Dark Angel) has been waiting all her life to show the world her dance moves and now, everything she ever wanted is just a step away. For years, her... Honey Daniels (JESSICA ALBA, of television's Dark Angel) has been waiting all her life to show the world her dance moves and now, everything she ever wanted is just a step away. For years, her spirit and her ambition have given the dancer and aspiring choreographer the guts to move ahead, even when those who love her best have doubts about her possible success in such a tough field. Not content with her parents' world of safe choices that promise a secure future, Honey has moved to the heart of the city, where the streets are a barrage of sound, energy and music—and it's the music she's after. Living there is difficult, but she is willing to take it all in stride while she continues to struggle with making ends meet—her dream is worth it. During the day, she shares that dream by teaching hip-hop classes in a local center to the kids in her neighborhood. At night, watching the clock until her bartending shift ends, Honey comes alive on the dance club floor, where her training collides with her passion and her smooth moves get her noticed. And then her one-time-in-a-million break comes in the form of a video director, who sees Honey in the club and offers her a chance at a spot as a back-up dancer. From there, her true ability shines through, and she begins to finally live her dream—choreographing for some of the hottest acts in hip-hop and R&B (Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Jadakiss & Sheek, Tweet) and for Honey, it feels too good to be true. And almost as quickly as it arrives, the dream starts to dissolve. Back in the workaday world, Honey returns to what she knows best—the urban music she loves—and rediscovers her love of dancing though the exuberant energy of a group of neighborhood kids. A high-energy drama with music, Honey also stars LIL' ROMEO, winner of the 2001 Billboard Music Award for “Rap Artist of the Year,” as Benny, a kid who needs a break even more than Honey does. MEKHI PHIFER (8 Mile) portrays Chaz, Honey's boyfriend with no angle to work—he's the constant, the real thing, the down-to-earth voice of reason who just wants Honey happy and in his life. JOY BRYANT (Antwone Fisher) plays Honey's protective, best friend Gina, who views her pal's newfound success with equal parts excitement and skepticism. The young, vibrant cast also includes DAVID MOSCOW (Just Married), ZACHARY ISAIAH WILLIAMS (TV's Romeo!) and LONETTE MCKEE (He Got Game), with cameo appearances by hip-hop/R&B stars MISSY ELLIOTT, GINUWINE, 3rd STOREE, SHAWN DESMAN, TWEET, and JADAKISS & SHEEK. BILLE WOODRUFF, who has directed music videos for stars including Usher, Britney Spears and Toni Braxton, debuts as a feature film director with this multi-ethnic contemporary urban drama energized by music and propelled by dance. The film is written by ALONZO BROWN & KIM WATSON. Veteran filmmaker MARC PLATT (Legally Blonde) and music mogul ANDRE HARRELL (Strictly Business) serve as producers, with BILLY HIGGINS (Simon Burch) executive producing. The film's exciting soundtrack includes a diverse lineup of some of the best R&B, hip-hop and urban music superstars working in music today. New songs from Missy Elliott, Fabolous, Tweet, Yolanda Adams, Knocturnal, Amerie and Nate Dogg are just a few of the musical offerings, with additional contributions from Sean Paul, Blaque featuring Chingy, Lil'Mo, Mark Ronson and Jadakiss & Sheek. The creative team behind the scenes includes director of photography JOHN R. LEONETTI (The Scorpion King); production designer JASNA STEFANOVICH (Josie and the Pussycats); editors MARK HELFRICH, A.C.E. (Red Dragon) and EMMA E. HICKOX, A.C.E. (A Walk to Remember); costume designer SUSAN MATHESON (Blue Crush); composer MARVYN WARREN (The Wedding Planner); and entertainment industry choreographer LAURIEANN GIBSON. All of the songs in Honey are original compositions by songwriter/producer RODNEY JERKINS, who has created hits for artists including Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Brandy, Monica, Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez. -- © Universal Pictures [More]

Starring: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Lil' Romeo, Joy Bryant

Starring: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Lil' Romeo, Joy Bryant, Lonette McKee, David Moscow, Zack Williams

Director: Bille Woodruff

Director: Bille Woodruff
Producer: Marc Platt, Andre Harrell
Composer: Rodney Jerkins
Studio: Universal Pictures

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Release:

Jun 14, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Single Side - Dual Layer

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - French
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - Spanish

Additional Release Material:

  • Outtakes
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Audio Commentary: "The Inside Scoop" with Jessica Alba - Star, and Billie Woodruff - Director

Featurette:

  • 1. "Behind the Groove: The Making of HONEY"
  • 2. "Make Your Move: Dance like HONEY!"
  • 3. "In the Mix with Blaque: Go Behind the Scenes with Blaque's Music Video"
  • 4. "I'm Good" - Music Video by Blaque
  • 5. "J-A-D-A" - Music Video by Jadakiss & Sheek
  • 6. "Sexy" - Music Video by Shawn Desman

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • "Cast and Filmmakers"
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Honey

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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There's a ton of dancing, a raft of cameos from hip-hop artists and a daring amount of sweetness for a movie so street conscious. It's just enough to form a nice sugary coat over any cranky complaints about its silliness.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
12/05/03
E! Online

Honey brings out the wholesome, affirmative side of the hip-hop aesthetic without being overly preachy, and it offers a winningly utopian view of show-business success without real costs or compromises.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
12/04/03
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No work of genius, but unexpectedly endearing.

Full Review Source: Movie Gazette | comment Comment
03/16/04
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette

The movie is so energetic, sincere and funny that I didn't mind the bad parts.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
12/05/03
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Alba’s quite easy on the eye, and admittedly, a bit of a star in the making.

Full Review Source: Moviehole | comment Comment
06/05/04
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

Snaps, crackles and pops along to a dynamic beat

Full Review Source: Mediasharx | comment Comment
11/30/03
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Mediasharx

The film remains watchable in the ways that delightful musicals tend to be...

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
12/05/03
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

Snappy and charming enough to overcome its predictability and shopworn cliches.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
12/08/03
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

Yes, it's corny ... But Honey also makes a completely sincere and mostly successful attempt to be an old-fashioned movie of heart and decency, directed to a young hip-hop audience for whom such messages are rare.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Daily News | comment Comment
12/05/03
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
11/20/08
Guylaine Cadorette
Guylaine Cadorette
Hollywood.com

It's hard to dislike a movie as inoffensive as this one -- even the crack dealers don't seem very threatening.

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
12/05/03
Harper Baines
Harper Baines
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's really a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney "Let's put on a show" movie set in the South Bronx.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
12/11/03
Jim Shelby
Jim Shelby
Palo Alto Weekly

Jessica Alba adds the soothing honey to Honey.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
12/05/03
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

The story is a bit cliché, but it bristles with energy and positivism.

Full Review Source: Latino Review | comment Comment
01/06/04
Julian Roman
Julian Roman
Latino Review

As sweet and undemanding as its name, Honey goes down smooth and simple.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
12/04/03
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Honey passes the time nicely up to that last dance and doesn't trip when it gets there.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
12/05/03
Michael Booth
Michael Booth
Denver Post

Occasionally preachy and always predictable, it's nevertheless executed with efficiency and a little charm.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
03/16/04
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC

“Honey” is aimed directly at the teen crowd and offers enough handsome characters, hip-hop songs and energetic dancing to keep the demographic happy.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
12/03/03
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

The mostly formulaic pieces come together thanks to a well-crafted youth-savvy script and likable cast of attractive performers.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/05/03
Ted Fry
Ted Fry
Seattle Times

Honey is basically a hip-hop Flashdance by way of Save the Last Dance, but those who are able to climb over the cliches and step up to the beat will find it an organically sweet treat.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
12/05/03
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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