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Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

(2008, Rated R, Comedy, Starring John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stoner social satire is rude, crude, and funny.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Extensive discussion of racism, stereotypes, and government policy; a characteer literally uses the Bill of Rights as toilet paper. Some government officials are seen as idiotic, petty fascists (with counterpoint from smarter, more reasonable government officials). Harold and Kumar (and their parents) are subjected to racist insults. Harold and Kumar stumble across a Ku Klux Klan meeting. A government agent taunts ethnic and religious groups with stereotypical objects of desire (grape soda for an African-American character; a bag of small change for two Jewish characters) in an effort to get them to talk; this, however, doesn't work and is depicted as the act of an idiot. From one woman's point of view, Kumar is seen in the beard and robes of a stereotypical Islamic fundamentalist (which, by turn, implies that she believes he's a terrorist). An actor depicting the president is seen drinking and doing drugs. A fair amount of toilet humor. On the plus side, the film's cast is diverse, and Harold and Kumar have a strong friendship.
  • Violence:

    Plenty, but mostly intended for comic effect. Fatal electrocution by an electric fence; characters are held at gunpoint; fistfights and scuffles (including knees to the groin); one supporting character is shot with a shotgun, twice; a deer is shot, with blood spatter and a knife blow to finish the job; a prostitute is literally branded. Mace is used.
  • Sex:

    Topless and bottomless nudity, both rear and front, and both male and female; same-sex make-out sessions for comedic effect; prisoners are forced to provide guards with oral sex; characters visit a brothel; simulated masturbation and ejaculation; references to incest; discussion of sexual techniques and positions; characters kiss; fantasy sequence includes visions of a "threesome" between a man, a woman, and a huge anthropomorphic (and anatomically correct) bag of marijuana.
  • Language:

    Constant, inventive vulgar language, including "f--k," "motherf---er," "s--t," "dick," "p---y," "a--holes," "douchebag," "boner," "whore," "c--k," and several racial epithets (both in dialogue and soundtrack lyrics).
  • Consumerism:

    A few brands are mentioned -- TiVo, Nokia, Coors Light, Mustang, Zoloft.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Constant references to "getting high" and "smoking weed," with extensive on-screen marijuana use. Also lots of discussion of marijuana paraphernalia and the war on drugs. One character's marijuana is laced with cocaine; a character takes psychedelic mushrooms while driving. Characters also drink beer and hard liquor (one drinks while driving). One character disapproves of another's marijuana use to counter stress, suggesting Zoloft as an alternative.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Parents need to know that plenty of teens will want to see this marijuana-centric sequel, which goes out of its way to push buttons -- and that the filmmakers don't really worry about when to say when. Expect constant marijuana use, strong language (including "f--k," "p---y," and many more), broadly comic violence, and sexual content -- including both male and female nudity (topless and bottomless). That said, behind all the joking and the toking, there are some nice messages about real friendship, as well as some interesting observations about the racial and ethnic profiling that's taken place since 9-11 and the dangers of excessive law enforcement in the name of safety.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about drugs and drug use. Do you think the movie is an accurate depiction of social attitudes about marijuana? Why or why not? Does it address any of the consequences of drug use? As a comedy, is it expected to? Families can also discuss the racial and ethnic profiling that Harold and Kumar are subjected to. Do you think that happens in everyday life? How does the media undermine and/or reinforce those kinds of assumptions and stereotypes?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    whoa nudity!

    i watched the unrated version too and said wtf! all that nakedness and cxursing.ma mom walked in and said to turn that crap off. almost got in trouble. i bet its funny too. i could write more but i didnt see all of it

  2. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    NOT FOR KIDS !!!

    I watched this in my room. It was the unrated extended(I could of watched rated but I wanted extended). They say the F word at least 150 times (in the unrated). There is lots of sex(full frontal of both genders,same sex makeouts, the prisoners are forced to give oral sex to the guards at guantanamo bay.Drugs, (they fall in george W. Bushes house and smoke weed with him, they bring weed on a plane to smoke in amsterdam. but overall this is an AWESOME MOVE!

  3. I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    very funny teens and adults only

    very funny truth os it has some nudity 16 and over or mature 15

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    ok for teens{should be older teens or mature teens}

    wow this movie was so vulgar. extremely funny but realy bad

  5. I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Perfect for Teens

    It was great movie. Tho the party part was over the top, very inappropriate. It is not recommend for young children to see! Beware Parents! A good teen movie, tho

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    not for tods, tweens, teens, or anyone without a sense of humor

    Rated R comedy would get an NC-17 for a drama. Still a great, funny movie, though. Explicit language, persuasive sexuality and nudity, and some bloody violence and drug use still gives it a 4 star.

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Great night for us teens without parents...

    My friend and i decided to see this movie and her parents decided to see it too. I felt like it was a freaking hilarious movie even though it was very vulgar and raunchy. My friend on the other hand couldn't wait to get out of there because she knew her parents would not approve. my advice...see this movie without your parents.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Hilarios movie

    although it cant top the first one this was a purely hilarios movie

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 5.0

    so innapropriate

    when i saw this i came out of the theater promising my mom that i would never repeat any of the words and i agree.this movie was apsoulutly hysterical just apsoulutly innapropriate i don't think i will ever be hearing the end of how innapropriate my mom thought this was.god have mercy on my soul.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 5.0

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    If you've seen the first one...

    This movie is the sequel to Harold and Kumar go to White Castle and if your child has seen the first one then it should see this one. This one is more raunchy but it is very smart and teaches a good lesson about racism.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in West Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    boring

    This was one of the most boring, and stupid movies I've seen in a long time. I left when it became utterly disgusting. There were no laughs and I had to wonder who in the world would want to watch it through.

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