Wild Hogs - PG-13

Disneyfied Easy Rider for the suburban set.

Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence. Studio: Touchstone Pictures Directed By: Walt Becker Cast: Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, John Travolta Running Time: 99 minutes Release Date: 03/01/2007 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this comedy adventure isn't as kid-friendly as the previews suggest. The four middle-aged friends who set out on the central road trip use plenty of adult expletives, and the genuine biker gang they butt heads with is full of slapsticky violent, tattoo-covered hog riders out to punish the "suburban a--holes" posing as bikers. And then there are all homophobic jokes and double entendres -- not to mention the scatological possibilities of four men taking on the great outdoors. Be prepared for a lot of gay, poop, and pee jokes.

Families can talk about what the four friends learned about themselves and each other on their road trip. Why was the trip so important to Woody? How was Woody misleading his pals? Why didn't Doug's son consider him cool until the end of the movie? Why was Bobby afraid of his wife? How did Dudley act bravely despite his geeky personality? Ask kids to explain how the guys proved their friendship to each other. What other movies does this one remind you of? What's the appeal of "road trip movies"?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen

The four stars of WILD HOGS are all talented comedic actors, which is why it's disappointing -- if not surprising -- that this buddy flick isn't funnier. John Travolta leads the pack as Woody, a man his friends think has it all: money, looks, and a supermodel wife. But he's actually broke and about to get divorced. Desperate for a last-ditch way to rekindle better times, Woody convinces his motorcycle pals -- henpecked husband Bobby (Martin Lawrence), bored dentist Doug (Tim Allen), and computer-geek bachelor Dudley (William H. Macy) -- to take a road trip.

Along the way, the guys do plenty of middle-aged male bonding. Highlights include dealing with eco-friendly Dudley after he carries his own poop, accidentally burning down their own tent, sleeping next to each other on a small inflatable bed, getting mistaken for gay partners, freaking out a picnicking family while skinny dipping, peeing in tandem by the side of the road. and enraging a group of hardcore bikers led by a heavily tattooed Ray Liotta (who never fails to please in angry-man roles).

It's no spoiler to reveal that Woody, Doug, Bobby, and Dudley end up going mano a mano with Liotta's crusty crew (which includes M.C. Gainey, who will be familiar to any Lost fan as fake-bearded Other Zeke/Tom). By the time (spoiler alert!) an original Easy Rider appears to set everyone straight, it's more than obvious how much of a generational shift has occurred since that iconic late '60s anthem: Now even those guys would be drinking mocha lattes and missing their Blackberrys.

If you decide to join the fellas on their trip, stick around for a surprise treat at the end -- one that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fans will especially appreciate. It's one of the funniest moments in the movie; too bad it came so late.

For better on-the-road comedies, try National Lampoon's Vacation, Road Trip, and even The Muppet Movie. And for classic midlife-crisis humor, don't miss City Slickers.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content The friends skinny dip, and viewers see William H. Macy's bare buttocks. A gay highway patrolman joins the guys and shows off his naked butt. Macy and Marisa Tomei share a couple of passionate kisses. Several homophobic comments: "If any of my gay friends look at my junk, I'll kill them," "Does anyone else get a pre-rape feeling?," "I'm going to put your balls in my mouth and chew on them," etc.
Violence Ray Liotta's biker gang and the four Wild Hogs have a climactic fistfight, but despite the nonstop punching and kicking, no one ends up too bloody. Martin Lawrence knees two bikers in the groin and squirts condiments all over their face. Liotta regularly punches, pushes, and slaps his underlings.
Language Surprisingly frequent cursing, especially from John Travolta's character, including words like "bitch," "s--t," "p---y," "a--hole," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior True friends stick together, even when it means getting whupped by a gang of hardcore bikers. Lots of scatological humor (the guys pee on the side of the road, biker says "We drink piss," Macy carries his poop around in a plastic bag).
	Commercialism Several bikers ride Orange County Choppers, and founder Paul Teutel Sr. even cameos.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco The Wild Hogs drink beer at various bars and diners throughout their road trip; Tim Allen's character discusses how often he was high in his college days.