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What Happens in Vegas

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Raunchy romantic comedy has a softer side, too.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The plot revolves around the question of what makes a committed marriage; in order to break up their sham union, the main characters encourage each other to seduce their partners into infidelity. Toward the same end, Kutcher's character pretends to be a victim of spousal abuse. Some toilet humor, including urination on-screen.
  • Violence:

    Scuffling, tussling, and feuding; characters are punched in the face and the "junk" slapping.
  • Sex:

    Implied sexual activity; lots of making out; a character flashes her breasts (not shown) as a form of payment to a cabbie; characters appear in underwear; role play as part of a committed relationship; sexual exploration and more.
  • Language:

    Constant sexually suggestive language, with many references to "getting laid," "having sex," and more. Repeated use of words/phrases like "ass," dick," "balls," "douche," "junk," "ball sack," "jack off," "whore," "sluts," "s--t," "bitch," "buttload," "vagina," and "effing," plus "shortbus" and "retard" as insults.
  • Consumerism:

    Characters stay at the Planet Hollywood hotel in Las Vegas and drink Bud Light and Michelob Light. Tampax is referenced by name.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol is consumed and abused, with ramifications ranging from hangover to vomiting to an impulsive marriage. Alcohol is also consumed socially in lower volumes and with less dire ramifications. A reference is made to "a bag of weed."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About What Happens in Vegas

Parents need to know that this fairly raunchy comedy starring teen faves Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz revolves around a drunken, ill-advised marriage after a night of debauchery in Las Vegas. Forced to stay together due to an unexpected windfall, the leads feud, fight and argue constantly in an effort to get the other to violate their "union." There's a lot of sexual content (making out, underwear shots, breasts flashed off-camera, etc.), constant iffy (albeit inventive) language, and frequent drinking. But although there's plenty of questionable material -- including Kutcher's character feigning being the victim of spousal abuse, a topic that's hard to laugh about -- there's also a surprising amount of positive material about the nature of a real marriage and what it takes to make one work.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Las Vegas' reputation -- does what happens in Vegas in fact stay in Vegas, or do actions always have consequences? Talk with your kids about some of the real-life problems caused by drinking too much. Families can also discuss how the characters' sham marriage turns into a real supportive relationship, as well as the real challenges and rewards of marriage. Finally, families can talk about the recent trend of raunchy romantic comedies -- what makes these films so popular?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Movie you must see

    This movie is really good! The only part that parents would have to worrie about is when there is this party and there is girls in there bra and underware and guys with no shirts on! But otherwise it was really good! A must see movie

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    This is the kind of stuff that harms our kids

    I made my 15 year old daughter and her 15 year old girlfriend turn this off after the first simulated clothes-strategically-placed sex scenes that flashed by on the night the couple met. This is the kind of stuff that teaches girls that it is perfectly fine and lots of fun to enter a hotel room in a strange city, (Vegas, of all cities) with a stranger she got drunk with and have sex. Why is it that in these movies it is all depicted as a great time without consequences--no unwanted pregnancy, no genital warts, and no HIV.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    I Loved it!

    I thought that this movie was funny and maybe not that great for kids, but if you think about it everything that is in this movie is plastered everywhere. Sex, swearing, violence on t.v anywhere you go. Its in schools, so even if my boy didn't see this movie he is going to see it at school or somewhere else. This didn't have gangs or shooting did it or drugs .....no why look always at the negative things? your kids are going to get a preview somewhere and it could be a lot worse.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0

    Sends the wrong message

    "Getting drunk and getting married to a stranger will leave you with the perfect person and $3 million!" Not in this world. This movie is not for kids or families.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i laghed till i joked

    funny movie it reminded me of school

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    I don't reallly know why the adults are freaking out so much...

    This movie is very formulaic, but has good acting. You know what will happen the second you walk in. Sex and alcohol are shown lightheartedly. Lots of innuendo, but hardly anything shown - nothing beyond underwear, and even that is not shown very provacatively. Kinda cute, actually.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great Movie!

    "What Happens in Vegas" is a comedy about a couple, one of which has just been fired, the other dumped. They both go to Vegas to forget about their troubles, but when they get drunk together, the trouble has only just begun. When they ask the judge for a divorce, he states that love is a passionate thing and sentences them to 6 months 'hard marriage'. Suggestive Content (Pause) Crude references to sex. The main couple get married while drunk in Vegas. Violence (Not an Issue) A woman falls off a table while drunk Language (Pause) Mostly mild, some stronger expressions, crude references to Sexual Behaviour. Social Behaviour (Pause) The main characters get married in a drunken haze at Vegas which could be considered a bad role model. Drugs/Alcohol (Pause) The main characters are drunk when they are married in Vegas and this is demonstrated through a video shown towards the end. Commercialism (Not an Issue) Vegas, that's it! Coolchris330

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

    DISGUSTING

    THE MOST STUIPD MOVIE I HAVE EER SEEN . SINCE WHEN DOES SEX BECOME THE MAIN PLOT OF THE MOVIE!!!!! wAY TOO MANY BAD WORDS AND SEX SECENES

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 3.0

    Funny for adults

    I wouldn't send my thirteen year old.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 3.0

    Supremely inappropriate for 14 and younger

    As an adult, was really hilarious, but there is no way this film should have been rated PG-13. I couldn't imagine allowing anyone I know who is 13, 14, or 15 to watch this movie, but once again you really have to "know" your child. The story is pretty good, and as the movie goes forward you see the two main characters start helping one another. It's really a great movie if you are married, or close to getting married to see how guys and girls live so differently. peace

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    BLEECK!!

    Vulgar laughs, stupid plot , not really appropriate for a 13 year old. 15 plus , but no way 13.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    funny date movie

    check it out.have a girlfriend tske her if she wants

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    great movie! Histerically funny.

    I thought this was a really funny movie. i felt that it had a pretty good story also. However i did not feel that it was inappropriate in the least bit. Obviously for someone about 12 or under, yes it would. I would not worry about it though if you have a mature child over the age of 13. It was a great movie and i recommend you see it for yourself!

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    never getting that 93 min back

    Sex, disgusting behavior and foul language is about all this movie offers. Not funny, pretty raunchy and would NOT let a 13, 14 or even 15 yr old watch it. Irresponsibly rated film

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