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Borat

(2006, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brace yourself -- Borat is here. Not for kids.

Themes in this movie include:   gender issues
updated 10.23.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie's comedic point is to target intolerance, vulgarity, and classism/racism, which are revealed as Borat interacts with regular U.S. citizens. Borat's own misogynistic, socially unacceptable behavior is all part of his act.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models :

    Although the point is not to act like Borat, kids may misunderstand and try to emulate Borat's stunts.
  • Violence:

    Broad, slapsticky violence (wrestling, etc.); Borat commends the United States' military actions in Iraq; a horse falls down; a bear roars at children and scares them.
  • Sex:

    Frequent body parts on display (cleavage, men and women in underwear or naked); Borat calls a 900 sex line (nothing explicit); verbal references to sex acts ("sexy time," offers to buy women on the street) and body parts ("vagina," "c--k," "hair from pubis"); allusions to homosexual acts ("rubber fist in my anus"); a prolonged scene in which Borat and Azamat wrestle, naked (penises are blocked out, but scrotums are explicitly set in each other's faces); frequent sexual slang and conversation (Borat's misogyny is a running joke); Borat has a date with a prostitute (pretty tame, but mention of paying for sex); references to a car being a "p---y magnet" photos show Borat's son's penis, full frontal.
  • Language:

    Some profanity, including "f--k," "s--t," "ass," "c--k," and "son of a bitch," plus occasional colorful phrases ("Eat my t-ts").
  • Consumerism:

    Devotion to all things Baywatch. Borat appreciates the materialism and luxury of the United States, as compared to his run-down village in Kazakhstan.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking, references to drugs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Borat

Parents need to know that teens are definitely going to want to see this movie because it has been promoted non-stop on MTV, Comedy Central, Saturday Night Live, among others. It stars cult sensation Sacha Baron Cohen of Da Ali G Show. It's undeniably raunchy, vulgar, and funny; Baron Cohen uses his character Borat to expose the effects of ignorance by targeting ignorant behavior. But unless you want to dive under your seat or clap your hands over their eyes and ears, this is absolutely not kid entertainment. Fake "reporter" Borat lampoons Americans' sexism, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, classism, and ageism by putting people on the spot and peppering them with questions. The movie is full of stuff like naked men wrestling (an extended, rather explicit sequence); visual gags about prostitution, feminism, and marriage (a wife's death is celebrated); toilet humor (literally); and some physical fighting/clumsiness. Jokes aimed at U.S. popular culture and beliefs include references to Baywatch, Michael Jackson, "Dirty Harold," Pentecostal church practices, Jews, rodeos/cowboys, etiquette, patriotic pride, hip-hop culture, and college fraternities. Language includes "f--k," "c--k," "s--t," "ass," "p---y," and just about anything else you can imagine (some in subtitles).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about deliberately offensive humor. Does Borat's mockery of ignorance and prejudice help the people he targets understand his point, or are they clueless "victims" of his humor?  What point is the movie trying to make?
  • Ask your kids if they think viewers who identify with some of the intolerant/over-earnest people Borat interviews will see themselves in a new light. Or will they feel upset by the on-screen encounters?
  • Does the satire help or simply entertain? How can you tell the difference?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Borat?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 81 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Not for kids.

    Not for kids.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    You need to have the right perspective to enjoy

    Look people, the movie is hilarious, but you need to have the right perspective when you watch it. I can see how people are offended and how parents don't want their kids to watch it, but their reasons (i.e., it is racist, sexist, crude) would only be legitimate if these shortcomings were portrayed positively. However, Borat's painfully comical anti-semitism and homophobia and sexism merely show how ridiculous and unfounded these kinds of prejudices are. This is exactly what makes the movie so terribly funny. I think that as long as you're comfortable with some mature themes, you'll love this movie.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    funniest movie EVER!!

    this is probaly my favoite movie but if you get the usa chaneal on you tv watch on usa because the regular version has graphic nudity,strong language,and strong sexual referanses but the edited for tv version it has black boxs over most of the nudity and cencers out s--t and f--k and pretty much every other curse word exsept for h-ll and d-mn as for violence not very much except one long disturbing fight (betwen borat and the fat guy tht comes with him to america)tht has both of them NUDE.other than tht this is very funny! regualular version-14+ tv edited version 12+

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Hilarious for teens!

    This is my new favorite movie. It is the funniest film i have ever seen. Seriously. Everybody said it's crude and vulgar and racist, so don't watch it if you're easily offended! You should have known that it will be very offensive when you decided to watch it. Really, people... The only inapropriate parts where when there are pictures of Borat's son's penis. That was gross. Also, there are naked men wrestling. But there is a black bar over one of them, and the other has rolls of fat covering his genitals. Oh, and they say the f-word a lot. WATCH THiS MOVIE IT'S FUNNY!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Perfect movie to teach kids how to have sex and how to swear!

    Perfect movie to show at preschools around the world. A timeless classic that is gor all ages!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    This movie is terrible and couldn't be more unfunny, but it's acceptable for 16+.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    really funny

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    kids hear this stuff at school all the time! its no big deal!

  9. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Who would ever think making a movie like this would be funny??? Its crude, racist and vulgar! No one should ever go near this movie!!! Im ashamed of anyone who thinks this is funny

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    lol

    is funny but idk litle kids shouldnt watch it

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Hilarious

    I think this movie is absolutely hilarious! Everything in it is funny and i am sure there are still many kids who remain clueless over some of the jokes. Yet, i think this is one of the funniest films i have ever watched and i thing its great :D

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Parents are so clueless

    Trust me, this movie isn't going to do anything to our emotional health, we hear it in school everyday.

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    So Funny

    This film is so funny, best comedy I've ever seen. Suitable for teenagers 13+, but not for children.

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    It could do without..

    it could use some censorship, such as leaving out the wrestling scene or any other nudity and less curse words and it could be pg-13

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    great movie, as usual, not for kids

    i really enjoyed this movie a lot. it was one of the most funny movies i have seen in a long time, but definetly not intended for any children whatsoever. as funny as it was, it was at some times gross, but not nessicerilly creepy gross like "Epic Movie". This movie also refers to/makes fun of certain nationalities and races for example "the running of the jew", "vanilla/chocolate face", making fun of christians, muslims, etc. if you are mature enough to watch this movie, you will laugh your @$$ off, but make sure you are ready.:]]

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0

    no kids

    no kids you see borats son penis in picture. you see 2 naked men fighting on a bed. tere is 900 sex lines including the phares sexy time. as you can see no kids I MEAN IT.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Good Movie

    Great movie NOT FOR KIDS UNDER 17

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 4.0

    halarious!!!

    omg...funniest movie ever! but, i wouldn't recommend it for children--it's basically a sex parody (but a funny one). nor would i recommend it if you're easily offended or an unthight prick. good laugh though.

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