not for kids
Dark, disturbing comedy is for adults only.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that while this dark, disturbing comedy may be funny, it's very different from star Seth Rogen's other R-rated raunchfests. It has all of the language, strong sexual content (including full-frontal male nudity), drinking, and drug use of Judd Apatow-style comedies but doesn't have any of their underlying heart. Plus, it has some scenes of brutal violence and a sex scene in which the main female character is so drunk that the encounter could easily be seen as an assault. While mature teens and grown-ups will likely understand that the main character isn't being presented as a hero, it's still not appropriate for young people.
- Families can talk about how the movie links violence and comedy. Why are some of the violent scenes funny? Do you think everyone would find them funny? What's the impact of seeing violent images in the media? Families can also discuss how the movie portrays the drunken sex scene. How did that scene make you feel? Do you think moments like that should be treated as comedy? How is this movie different from Seth Rogen's other films? Which do you like better?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite the slapstick and profanity, this is a disquieting, darkly complex story about a character that we're never sure we should be rooting for. Ronnie (who has bipolar disorder) may be the protagonist, but he's hardly a hero -- he commits violent, brutal acts and is rewarded for them. Characters are also stereotyped (Ronnie suspects an immigrant vendor of being a terrorist based solely on the color of his skin, for example), and there aren't really any positive messages for viewers of any age.
What to watch for
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Violence: Brutal, unapologetic violence. People are beaten (one by police) and Tasered; skateboarders are beaten with their own skateboards; characters have rough fistfights. A character uses a flashlight as a weapon. Guns are used -- in one case at point-blank range, with the bloody wound prominently shown.
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Sex: Characters have sex while one of them is pass-out drunk; her consent is the "punchline," but it's still a deeply disquieting moment. There's also a long scene with full-frontal male nudity in which a flasher is pursued in slow-motion. Two characters have sex in the back of a car. Women are ogled.
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Language: Extensive, constant, and strong, including "f--k," "motherf---er," "s--t," "p---y," "ass," "balls," "dick," "c--k," "piss," "goddamn," "oh my God," and much more.
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Consumerism: The movie is set in a mall, so there's some contextual mention of real-life brands.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink to excess (sometimes until they vomit) and mix their alcohol with illicit prescription drugs; characters also smoke pot and use cocaine. One character is an alcoholic, and a supporting character shoots up heroin. One character's extreme inebriation precedes an uncomfortable sex scene in which the matter of her consent is unclear.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Flat out Bad by 4EverGreen
A vulgar and unfunny copy of Mall Cop (which wasn't a very good movie to start, IMHO).
I took my teenage son and two of his friends to see this waste of $40. There were a couple of funny moments (but a comedy with only "a couple" of funny moments isn't good). Otherwise, it was boring, tried way to hard to be shocking (using the "F-bomb" 40 times in a one minute sequence is neither funny or shocking...just tiresome), bad acting, horrible wrting, etc., etc.
And the ending, which does have a bit of a "shock" to it (thankfully, I was all but asleep by that time), was also disturbing (if you've seen the flick you know what I'm talking about). I actually couldn't look at the screen (is that what they intended?).
I suppose if you are BIG Seth Rogen fan MAYBE you'll find something to like about this movie. If you aren't find something better to do with your hard-earned cash!
Terrible movie, DONT SEE IT
4
Aw c'monnnnn people... by movies_every_weekend
if you're not sensitive and you're into crude,crazy, "unnecessary humor", this movie is for YOU! if you're conservative, don't see it. wasn't seth rogen's best but hey, he's the man! this isn't one of his usual movies either. he switches it up and goes toward the darker side of comedy which probably won't appeal to the majority of movie-goers. hmmmm... it wasn't great and it wasn't bad.. it appealed to me :p
oh, and it's rated R for a reason. it's no "Mall Cop" so children.....stay at HOME.
1
WOW! by chichitao
And not in a good way. I really love Seth Rogan films and was expecting nothing but the best from this movie. I had not checked any reviews before I went. I really thought he could make any movie, no matter how bad it was, into a half decent film.
I was sadly disappointed in this movie and the acting. Luckily I only paid matinee price but I would not even recommend this on DVD (yes it was that bad). At least in Paul Blart, the main character was a lovable nice guy that you rooted for. Seth's character (I don't even remember his screen name) was a twisted/sick fellow who I was hoping would just exit the movie and let someone else run the show.
Don't waste your time or money, and definitely don't take the kids to see this!!!
4
Another Seth Rogan Movie by ginstergtivr6
I have to say first off I am a huge Seth Rogan fan. He is absolutely hilarious. This movie is yet another "classic" Seth movie. He plays a character who is really not all "there" in his mind but has big dreams and does everything he can to fulfill them. Very hilarious, but extremely far-fetched. Definitely not his best movie, but still very good. I'd see it again.
5
If you like Pineapple Express by Kanada
If you enjoyed Pineapple Express you will enjoy this movie as well. Seth Rogen is once again at his best. There are two movie altering events at the end that are even funnier than they are suprising. The comedy from the two Asian security guards that act exactly the same all the way to oppressive coffee shop owner getting his head forced into an oven are funnier than they sound. This movie is a pleasant diversion, and in all honesty everything I expected it to be: a really funny, over-the-top comedy with lots of R-worthy content. A fun movie to watch.
1
IT SUCKED!!!!!!!! by smellpits
This movie made me want to go to the bathroom and take a huge pile of crap all over my face!!!!!
3
Depends by Legendary702
This movie is really for the people who just want to sit down and not think so much about the plot in itself. I honestly was lost at sometimes in the movie, but just watching and listening to some of the lines made me laugh. For example, there is a part in the movie where Seth's character asks his mother if he was the one to blame for his father's absence, and the mother replies, "definitely". I thought that was definitely funny. I didn't love it but didn't hate it, it was very enjoyable however.
5
Seth Rogen Fan by Brenen_Dale
As a BIG Seth Rogen fan this movie is Seth at his Best. As a Bi-polar rent a cop he patrols the mole with a hilarious sense of pride and status. If you liked Step Brothers, Knocked up, Pineapple express, or any Rogen film this is a must see, downright hilarious
The Ending kicks *** and just make the movie that much better.
5
Hell Yeah! by Martino7
It was nasty. It was Rude. It was graphic. It was offensive. It was exactly what it was supposed to be.
1
Don't bother by s_thl
I normally like Seth Rogan movies. I'm aware of the frequent use of profanity and crass references that are abundant in any movie he stars in. This movie, however, differs in that it's not funny. It's weird, rambling and has a thoughtless, stupid ending. If you must see it, rent it. Don't waste your nine bucks.