Iffy for 13+
Friendship comedy is too crude for younger kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although this Adam Sandler/David Spade/Chris Rock comedy about old friends reuniting after a tragedy has lots of heart, that doesn't make up for the crude and repetitive jokes. And while the trailer might have you thinking the humor is all about kids and families, there's a lot of racy "guy" stuff here: Male buttocks are shown, and there are plenty of sexual innuendoes/references and instances of men ogling women. One character is depicted as a booze-loving lush, and though the main characters are ostensibly good friends, they're not particularly kind to one another (their kids also behave rudely, expecting to be waited on hand and foot andmaligning anything that's not fancy or technologically advanced). Language includes "s--t" and "ass."
- Families can talk about who this movie is targeted at. Is it intended to appeal to families?
- The movie's sexual humor includes plenty of jokes about older women dating younger men. Does the film reinforce or undermine stereotypes on that topic? What about on other subjects?
- What is the movie saying about kids' love of tech toys?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie explores the impact of middle age, depicting it as a time when people start coming to terms with who they are instead of who they thought they would be. Part of that realization process is that people still have time to change if they want to -- though some of the people who try get discouraged because it can be tough. The movie presents childhood as a time for imaginative play and adventure seeking, rather than texting or playing video games. Amid the broader messages are a fair number of potty-humor gags (peeing in the pool) and jokes based on issues like weight.
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Role models: The five main characters are extreme archetypes of middle-aged men. None of them has their act completely together, but some are worse off than others, and while some grow during the course of the film, others don’t. (That said, all are trying to do right by their families.) Their kids are shown acting up; in one family, they boss their nanny around via text message, expecting to be waited on. Affluent and entitled, these kids are put off by the rustic fun offered at a lake cabin and long for the technologies -- Wii, flat screens -- to which they’re accustomed. Female characters are thinly drawn and often the butt of jokes.
What to watch for
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Violence: Lots of slapstick humor, but no real violence. Friends play a game in which they shoot an arrow into the air and then run away, hoping to avoid it as it crashes down. Kids are shown playing a video game in which they shoot and kill other characters.
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Sex: One male character is seen from behind, naked from the waist down. Also lots of innuendo and suggestive dialogue/sexual references, but no on-screen sex. Several scenes show the male leads ogling scantily clad women's cleavage and behinds.
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Language: “Ass” and “s--t” are used once or twice; other words include "dick," "damn," "crap," "hell," and "oh my God." A child’s ringtone includes the word “bi-atch.” Plenty of scenes include pseudo-curse-words like “shiz-nizzle.”
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Consumerism: Many brands are mentioned by name and/or appear on screen, including Cadillac, Dunkin' Donuts, Wii, Voss water, and Budweiser. One character wears a KFC bucket on his head in several scenes.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults make jokes in front of children about “getting wasted" (the kids then start using this term, thinking it means something else). One adult character is buzzed or drunk most of the movie. He drinks shots and encourages others to join him and cradles a bottle of liquor.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Funny Yet Predictable by Spring101
I was super exited to see this movie, I even got in line to see it opening night, why I'm writing a review this late i will never know, but I feel that I need to save the people who are about to repeat my mistake. Ok the movie started out super funny, with some great jokes that almost every parent can relate to; HOWEVER after awile the jokes got a bit strained, like the writers were trying to hard to get a laugh, eventhouh they didn't need to the great actors get a laugh out, because it just comes naturally to them. Also I'm not sure if this is just me or did this movie kinda lack a plot, i mean it seamed like this movie was just one big comedy sketch and like any comedy sketch it gets old after awile. Overall it was a funny movie but in an awkward way. Better luck next time guys, and to the writers don't try so hard to get a laugh. If you havent seen it don't worry just watch it on redbox for a dollar, don't waste 15$ to buy a ticket to watch a semi-funny COMEDY SKETCH!!!!
5
GROWN UPS by Terri Schryer
Great movie! My Husband and I loved the movie. The movie is funny from the very beginning to the end. We would love to see it again.
3
Incredibly bummed by LTMF 2
Adam Sandler-to me he was ultra dependable at one point in time.Even if I found the material to be not as 'moral' as it should,or whatever,he was at least consistently funny.After Grown ups and Funny People,I am disenchanted. I cringed at the writing of the teen girl/old man,friends even,obsession in my first review. Now i want to hit the movie itself. Lots of the humorous lines fell embarrassingly flat. At least 6 of these roles were not even needed and it would have helped alot to have fewer characters who were supposed to be funny,so they could have quality material. And 40% of this was just miscast,most notably Schneiders wife and Rock's mother-in-law. Buscemi was a total waste. so much more. SAD. Sandler was brilliant at one time,now he's just out to lunch.
3
Just enjoyable... by lovestalentmoviefan
...not nearly as hilarious as it could have been with the cast involved. I agree that there were just too many people to give the story true meat. Still liked it well enough. My soso is because I was sickened at the concentration of married men ogling,at length,young girls half or less their ages who were also their friends daughters.And the girls outfits that brought it all on! Look at a movie like Mr.Deeds...funny and intelligent script and no need to bring the 'ogling hotties' gratuitousness in to pander to male viewers. Really surprised more have not been offended.
5
Grown Ups by pcmartin117
I absolutely loved this movie!!! This was a great movie with lots of laughs and some wonderful underlying meaning of honesty and well being. For the most party if you are a fan of the SNL characters and actors such as Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Shneider you will LOVE this movie! Also if you love to laugh and forget about your life's problems for 2 hours you MUST see this movie!
5
anthony sosa by ads5689
One of the best comedies ive seen yet, couldnnt stop laughing the whole movie, and word of advice, DONT Ever listen to critics ever!!
i think all ages would like this movie, and the actors were awesome.
4
Five Word Review by jeancc
Great for all ages! GO!
4
Hilarious Movie that I'd love to see again and again. by BballBoyNtn
When I saw the trailer for Grown Ups I expected Happy Madison Productions made another rediculous film that has nothing but bad humor in it, but I was wrong. I have to admit there was some stupid jokes in the movie, but on the other hand it was a great movie. The story line actually made sense for a change, and the characters and actors were great. I caught myself laughing a lot during this movie. Just so you know, the trailer for this movie does it no justice. I actually think they picked some of the stupid parts to put in the trailer. So if you have the family together and you have a movie night, I'd recommend this movie. It was great.
5
Grown Ups by angieg1
The movie was great we loved it cant wait to see again.
5
Five Word Review by FamilyGirl8490
Hillariously enjoyable movie for everyone