Iffy for 16+
Overly crude body-swapping comedy isn't for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this raunchy body-swapping comedy is more like The Hangover than Freaky Friday. From the opening F-bomb to the end credits, the movie is chock full of language ("f--k" is said in nearly every scene), sexuality (nudity includes breasts, a soft porn movie set, and a fully naked, very pregnant woman), and crass toilet humor. Plus, the movie's themes are actually pretty mature, revolving around two best friends who couldn't be less like each other but secretly envy each other's life. Because it stars two of the funniest actors in Hollywood (Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds), parents should expect even young teens to be interested, but this movie is definitely a "hard-R" for a reason.
- Families can talk about how the movie portrays sexuality. Which relationships are healthy, and which are unhealthy? How can you tell?
- What about drinking and drug use? Are they shown realistically? What are some of the real-life consequences of getting drunk and smoking pot?
- Dave envies Mitch's carefree life, but is Mitch as fulfilled as Dave? Is freedom from responsibility still as attractive in someone in their late 30s as it is in someone in their 20s? Why is growing up and starting a family depicted as boring?
The good stuff
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Messages: Hidden beneath all of the crude comedy is the message that if you take a hard look at your life, you'll see areas that need improvement and should take the opportunity to better yourself and love your family and friends.
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Role models: Dave is hardworking, but he takes his life for granted -- especially his wife. He also envies his single and responsibility-free friend too much. Mitch isn't a role model at all except for the fact that he can somehow remember details about Dave's life that even his best friend can't recall.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some slapstick scenes involving Dave/Mitch and twin babies. When Mitch is stuck in Dave's body, the twins end up wielding a knife, almost sticking their hand in a blender, etc. Mitch also encourages Dave's young daughter to "solve all your problems through violence," so she hits her ballet bully. Pregnant Tatiana gets very angry at Mitch and pushes him on his back and threatens him. The guys have to run away from mall security when they pee in a public fountain.
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Sex: Nudity in several scenes, including a graphic soft-porn movie shoot and a sexual proposition from a woman in late-term pregnancy (viewers see her nearly full frontal, and the baby visibly moves her third-trimester belly). Dave masturbates while in Mitch's body, and both men seem fascinated with the quirks of each other's bodies (Dave has an extra testicle). While in Dave's body, Mitch sees his wife nursing her baby and, later, undressing and then sitting on the toilet while wearing an open robe that shows her breasts. Another woman strips down to her thong and bra and climbs on top of Mitch, but they don't have sex. Candid, potentially vulgar conversations about sex, adultery, sexual positions (they all have humorous names), and experience.
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Language: The first word Dave utters is "f--k," and that sets the tone of the movie. There's not a sentence of dialogue that doesn't include a curse word; even conversations with children include questionable language. In addition to the countless F-bombs, there's "s--t," "a--hole," "p---y," "bitch," "d--k," "whore," "t-ts," "balls," "damn," "hell," "goddamn," and more.
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Consumerism: Product placements aren't distracting, but the guys spend a good deal of time in Dave's Range Rover and Mitch's Fiero.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Mitch is an avowed pot-head, so bongs, joints, and other marijuana paraphernalia are shown regularly. Mitch even smokes a joint while driving. The guys also get drunk more than once -- doing shots -- and there's drinking during a few dinner party and date scenes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Hillarious!! by zeldazero
Laughed through the whole movie. Anyone who didn't needs to get a life. It's a comedy, meaning suppose to make you laugh, not neccessarily a great story or even realistic or make sense but it made me laugh. Well worth my money. Ryan Reynolds and Jsaon Bateman great as always. Also for all you Green Lantern haters, I loved that movie as well. Some people are too critical. I go to a movie to enjoy it for what it is and not to compare to every other movie. Go see this and you won't be disappointed :)
5
Too funny by hcaice
I was not expecting to like this movie so much. I went to watch it because I heard about it. The movie is VERY FUNNY, some nudity so don't take your children to this movie. I could not stop laughing. If you're a married man then you need to go watch it.
1
Horrible Movie by lauraof9
not funny, just perverted. walked out and got my money back. dont waste your time.
1
change up..? by daughtersFATHER
How about Changin' up Hollyweird? I mean this is ONE of THE SICKEST movies you could see. My son rented it. He will NEVER play such trash in my house ... at least while I'm in it. How can ANYone who is a true Christian allow their chilldren to see it? Oh? It's ok most will say.... or .. it's JUST a movie. .. Yeah. a VERY SICK AND PERVERTED , TWISTED piece of shameful CRAP ! ... No wonder we've turned into a wacky society. Get the country back into STRENGTH again. Get your MORAL FABRIC in check. No wonder why ur daughters are pregnant at 13 . Get a grip and watch your FAMILY instead of this sick stuff that must be written by homo's. Seriously SICK .
5
The Change up......Don't pass up by sylar2744
Jason Bateman was outstanding in this movie as always. Ryan Reynolds not his best acting, but still delivered non stop laughs. Leslie Mann entertaining amd gorgeous as ever. This movie I have to admit didn't make alot of sense, but with a cast like this and the non stop laughs it didn't really seem to matter that it didn't make sense. If you are feeling a little down or in a bad mood this is undoubtingly the movie to throw in and watch it will have you laughing from beginning to end.
2
Change-Up by fred1
I went to see this film because I wanted a good laugh but that is not what I got! Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman are very good actors and they prove that once again. However, this film is very vulger.....not funny! Definitely do not take anyone under the age of 18 to see this film...it is that vulger! There are just certain things that people don't need or want to see on film. Like Lady Gaga, this film went waaaaay too far in so many different areas. For example, no one wants to see a 9 month pregnant female nude or pretending to have sex. No one wants to see someone on the toilet doing #2. And no-one thinks it's funny to see toddlers playing with knives, being left on counter tops by themselves, or picked up by the backs of their sleepers. The bad language, porno, and pissing scenes were all in really bad taste and you wouldn't want your kids, teenagers, or college students acting the way they did on this film. Save your money and watch something descent!
5
The Change-up: worth seeing if... by YouGotGold
... you like comedies with awkward, fish-out-of-water, parenting / dating / sex / work situations, accompanied by a lot of swearing and some (very nice) bare breasts. Sure, you've seen the switching bodies plot line before but this is no Freaky Friday or 17 again. I'd put it more in the same league for content and/or style as the recent Horrible Bosses, or The Switch, Knocked Up, I Love You Man, The Hot Tub Time Machine. Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann and the babies are all great.
Parents of little kids will especially appreciate this (and if not, at least you got out of the house alone for a couple of hours). Its a movie about family but not a family movie... its rated R for good reasons so leave your little kids at home, people
1
horrible by creativity
rented this and it was tasteless, horrible humor. i couldn't get past 20 mins. of it. even my 18 year old didn't like it. it is certainly not appropriate for kids under 18.. definitely a waste of time. if you want to see something funny..rent Bridesmaids..so many funny scenes in that movie!
3
Ehh by gagirl120480
If you are bothered by vulgar movies that go out of their way to gross you out, this is not the movie for you. It had numerous humor filled parts but more than anything the whole movie appeared to try too hard.