Iffy for 16+
Foul-mouthed Ferrell comedy isn't very funny. No kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this is a far raunchier comedy than the last collaboration between stars Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and director Adam McKay, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and much more explicit in how it stoops for laughs. It's loaded with crude, rude, sexual, and obscene language and situations, including visible male genitalia and glimpses of porn and a vocabulary that ranges from "p---y" to "f--k" and everywhere in between. There's also lots of product placement, and the film's half-hearted messages and morals -- about family, being who you are, and accepting people -- are drowned out by its loud, boisterous vulgarity.
- Families can talk about Will Ferrell's appeal. What makes something a "Will Ferrell comedy"?
- What age group do you think movies like this one are aimed at?
- Familiescan also discuss the movie's essential question: When should childrenleave home?
- When does parental protection become more a burden than ashield?
- What challenges do real blended families face? What fuelssibling rivalry in real life? Also, is it ever worth sacrificing yourindividuality and passion in order to get ahead?
The good stuff
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Messages: The film attempts to convey some messages about the importance of family and being who you are, but they're definitely secondary to all of the crude jokes. Two characters dress in Nazi and Ku Klux Klan uniforms to scare prospective home buyers away from a property. A supporting character commits adultery. A rap song notes that when out of gas, one should "call the A-rabs."
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Role models: Dale and Brennan are completely the opposite of what anyone would refer to as role models. They are vulgar, foolish, inactive, and unmotivated-- and that is before they meet each other. Together they terrorize their parents, the neighborhood, and the job market. While there is a half-hearted message about being who you are this is drowned by the film's ridiculous antics. In short, Dale and Brennan are hilarious to watch, but awful to emulate.
What to watch for
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Violence: Wrestling, scuffling, and tussling; a character knocks another character out; characters are hurled down stairs; a character strikes another in the head with a shovel; two adults fight a playground full of younger children. Children bully grown-up characters into licking dog droppings. Characters watch an action-packed movie.
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Sex: Underwear-clad making out; kissing; upright, clothed comedic sex in a bathroom; implied masturbation; pornography is glimpsed and referenced; a character drapes his testicles (visible on-screen) on another character's property; constant sexual references.
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Language: Constant, crude, and rude language including (but not limited to) "f--k," "s--t," "balls," "nutsack," "horses--t," "motherf---er," "p---y," "wiener," "chest pubes," "ball 'fro," "big joint," "man-gina," "sucks ass," "bang," "retard," "whore," "gay," "butthole," "dogs--t," "vagina," "douche," "penis," "butt buddy," "fart," "hos," and "faggot."
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Consumerism: Extensive mention and onscreen presence of lots of brands and TV shows and movies, including Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Heinz ketchup, Converse sneakers, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Belkin movers, Pet Smart, Outback Steak House, Hustler Magazine, The Cheesecake Factory, Hulk Hands toys, Sony Vaio, Doritos, Good Housekeeping, The Outsiders, Scarface, Good Will Hunting, Rock of Love, The Apprentice, Star Wars, Guitar Hero, "Shark Week," American Idol, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters refer to "smoking pot" and "smoking a jay" characters drink hard alcohol to excess; characters drink wine.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
SURPRISINGLY GOOD!!! by harder_64
I know what you were all thinking when you saw the trailer for Step Brothers, another Ferrell movie trying to squeeze out some comedy. But this wasn't that at all! It actually turned out to be a descent, laugh-out-loud comedy flick!
I give Ferrell, Reilly, and McKay an A- for their story in this movie. It actually had some clever comedy in it, not just slapstick like we saw in Talledega or Semi-Pro.
I give the acting a B+
And i give a A- as well for the directing. Very well made and was put together almost perfectly!!
Even though the comedy died down a little during the middle, It ended with a BANG!!
***Warning for all of those parents out there: There is lots of swearing and sexual humor in this film so please be careful!!!
Overall...Great film for a good laugh!!!
5
Go see it by smosier
For those of you that love Anchorman... this is a movie for you. I enjoyed every minute, and had a bellyache from laughing so much.
Why to people review "MAYOR" (the words Major dip-****!) comedies with such a serious tone. This movie is fun and that's all you need to know.
4
Step Brothers by silverone
The movie was one of the funniest I've seen in theaters in a while. The humor was childish, but can you expect from Will Ferrell. He's still good even though he's the same person in all of these movies. The movie was memorable, but not an epic movie obviously. Good for laughs, expect little and you'll get a bunch.
5
Frieking HILARIOUS by Iceman936
First of all, if you're not a Will fan, don't go see the movie.
If you don't like stupid humor, don't go see the movie.
If you're an idiot, don't go see the movie.
IT IS HILARIOUS!!!
Plain and simply, DON'T EXPECT an AWARD-WINNING SCRIPT. Too many people are b!tching about this movie being a disappointment. If you liked Superbad, or Knocked Up, or Anchorman, go see this ASAP. If your favorite comedy was The Birdcage (and many idiots who reviewed this movie - and disliked it - on this site probably loved that one), don't even bother seeing Step Brothers.
This movie was the funniest movie I've seen in years . Do yourself a favor and buy a new pair of underware and see this movie. You'll need it by the time you leave. Will's greatest performance by far. Honestly, I was laughing from nearly start to finish.
However, don't take kids to see it; there's too much vulgar language and nudity.
5
Step-Brothers by yoozsogelus
Okay, So I am a die-hard Ferrel fan, but even I can admit that is track record is getting rather smudgy, with a repeat of the same over the top lines and the intense fight scenes.
Of course I laugh when he threatens to punch people in the back of the head, or in ball sack!
I just do, It's funny. But, there comes a point when something new and fresh is needed. The plot to the movie was different from is line of sports related movies (ie talledega nights, blades of glory, semi-pro) And I will always feel that anchor man was the greatest movie ever made. Which is what I think my problem is, I am subconciously waiting for another anchor man, which to be honest won't happen! All in all it was a funny movie, I was a little overwhelmed by all the cursing, don't get me wrong I love the word F*&% as much as the next guy, I just want something fresh! The ending could have been better, a little predictable and rather annoying. But, go see it! I mean come on it's Will Ferrel!!
5
Step Brothers by calmodulin
One of the funniest movies i've seen in a while. imo, this was funnier than anchorman and even talladega nights. sure, there is a lot of profanity, but i find that stuff to be hilarious. and it is rated r, so what do you expect?
5
Step Brothers by ms_cookie619
Step Brothers is hilarious. John Riley and Will Ferrell are great together. Every movie they star in together is gonna be a major hit. You must go see this movie
5
Step Brothers Rules by isee50moviesayear
If you do not understand the effort it takes to create the finest low brow comedy possible you probably won't appreciate this movie. For those of us who get it this movie is the BEST COMEDY OF THE SUMMER!
5
Step Brother by jeffp316
Hilarious! Not something you want to take your mom too.
5
funniest movie of the year by iknowaboutmovies
This is one of will farrells best if not his best movie yet. Very funny from beginning to end. Non stop laughter , Will Farrell and John C. Reilly are the best comnic duo since chris farley and david spade. Great movie, go see it today.