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Mystery Men

(1999, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Hank Azaria, Janeane Garofalo, William H. Macy)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Decent depiction of post-modern comic-book story.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Strong female superhero, tolerance of differences Potty humor
  • Violence:

    A good deal of comic-book style violence, including incineration of three characters
  • Sex:

    Mostly mild.
  • Language:

    Mild
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink in a bar, one gets a bit tipsy
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mystery Men

Parents need to know that much of the humor will be above the heads of most teens, and that what is left tends to be potty humor. Furthermore, though the violence is comic book style, three characters are incinerated in a scary manner. Almost as scary is the way that no one seems to care about that very much, even though one of them is one of the good guys. It is nice to see a female superhero (despite the title), and Garofolo's Bowler is first among equals in self-possession, maturity, and ability. Families should discuss individual abilities, and what superpowers each member of the family would most like to have.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about individual abilities, and what superpowers each member of the family would most like to have.

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Very funny and great role models for girls. ('Tho hopefully the PMS avenger who tries out for the team will go right over their heads.) Kinda wondering about the rating of 11 yrs. old and up. This movie is so innocent and sweet.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great Movie!

    There is a little violence and some barely recognizable language, but it is a very good movie and well worth seeing.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Parents, run right out and get this movie...

    so that everyone can have a good laugh. Probably the best ensemble acting ever, with a stellar cast. The violence is cartoonish but clever, there is no racial stereotyping (check out William H. Macy in a bi-racial marriage) and everyone plays it for laughs. There is no language that is objectionable, a first for Hollywood, the humor is quirky, the kitsch is over-the-top (us products of the '70s gotta love that disco theme ;-) and the good guys triumph in the end. Note that, when Greg Kinnear gets incinerated, he deserves it -- Jeanene Garofalo tries to clarify whether or not she's doing the right thing and he keeps saying, flip the switch... This rates as one of our all-time family movies.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

    Funny Movie

    This is a good spoof movie. It will be funny for most teenagers.

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