Deck the Halls (PG, 2006)

common sense media says

Makes us miss those Home Alone days...


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids may actually be the only ones interested in seeing this predictable, mean-spirited, slapstick-heavy Christmas movie. It's filled with sexual innuendo, bad behavior, and grown-ups acting like kids (worse than kids, actually). With so many other, better options out there, don't bother.

Positive messages: Rivalry between neighbors completely negates the spirit of the season. A dad enlists his son's help to sabotage the neighbors' display; a teenage daughter is rebellious.
Violence & scariness: Rife with mean-spirited slapstick humor: an older woman gets hit with a snowball, knocking her over; a rocket backfires, setting a Christmas tree on fire in a living room; a gas can tips over and sets a Christmas tree lot on fire; a sleigh crashes through an ice-covered pond.
Sexy stuff: Women dressed in skimpy elf costumes shake their booties (one ends up being Steve's daughter -- which he finds out after he yells a sexually tinged remark at her); a 10-year-old boy ogles his sexy teen neighbors; two naked men end up in a sleeping bag together.
Language: Pretty mild: "Ass," "damn."
Consumerism: Chrysler, Troy-Bilt chain saw.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Deck the Halls

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what's important during the holidays -- spending time with friends and family, or trying to outdo the neighbors. If Buddy felt "invisible," what could Steve have done to make him feel better? Likewise, what better choice could Buddy have made to be "somebody"? Who are the real grown-ups in this movie? Why do so many Christmas movies focus on themes like competition and materialism? Does that accurately reflect society's perspective on the holiday?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) is a nice-guy optometrist, living in the picturesque town of Cloverdale, Mass., with his loving wife Kelly (Kristin Davis), rebellious teen daughter Madison (Alia Shawkat), and 10-year-old son, Carter (Dylan Blue). Steve's known as "The Christmas Guy". He loves the holiday and goes all out every year -- decorating, caroling, tree-trimming, and organizing the annual family photo (with matching sweaters, of course). Everything is peachy-keen in Steve's neat, organized world, complete with a wall calendar to keep things on track. Then Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) moves into the house across the street with his lovely wife Tia (Kristin Chenoweth) and shapely daughters Ashley and Emily (real-life twins Sabrina and Kelly Aldridge of 8th and Ocean). Buddy's a likeable guy, but he feels invisible, which makes him want to put up a mammoth Christmas display bright enough to see from outer space. It's his chance to be somebody. So up go thousands of lights, giant Santas, snowmen, synchronized music, and even live animals -- including a donkey, camel, cow, and sheep. It's all too much for Steve, who feels threatened and fights back, enlisting help from his son to thwart Buddy's efforts.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There's no doubt that Broderick and DeVito are formidable actors, but they aren't given much to work with here. The movie deteriorates into a farce of slapstick humor and crude humor, as Steve and Buddy's competitive nature comes to a head in a predictable finale about discovering the true meaning of Christmas, blah blah blah. On the "why bother?" holiday movie scale, it ranks right down there with Surviving Christmas.

Movie themes & details

Themes
Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: John Whitesell
Cast: Danny DeVito, Kristin Davis, Matthew Broderick
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: November 21, 2006
DVD release: November 6, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some crude and suggestive humor, and for language.
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This review was written by Jane Boursaw
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

agent X
teen, 15 years old
 
funny movie but kinda lame
i honestley thought this movie was OK but its defintly not the best ive seen the cus words were mild such as ass D**n and stuf like that

pocky
teen, 17 years old
 
hahaha
Saw it a couple of hours ago, and loved it. I epsecially liked the part where Steve yells, "WHO'S YOUR DADDY?" at the girls in elf costumes and then finds out one's his daughter and says, "I'm your daddy??!!" that was too funny. *lol*

wvufanonly
teen, 17 years old
 
stupid beyond belief
very sexual. much sexual humor. very corny, not realistic at all. OK for a very vulgar 6-year old. My dad loved it. I fell asleep, literally. really gross and sick humor. web review is accurate, i do not recommend this movie. do not go see it. one more thing: i think 12 year olds should wait to see "we are marshall".

 
Great holiday movie
I think this was a great holiday movie. It doesn't matter if there was some sexual humor and stuff but I think it was a great movie. If you think it's too sexual for your kids then don't bring them. I mean seriously don't whine and complain about it.

arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
 
i love this movie. i think its hilarious.its very entertaining. i watched with my parents

Chasing Pigeons
teen, 18 years old
 
Two words: BRAIN ROT!
There are too many of those uncomfortable family watching moments. I spent the whole movie on edge waiting for the next stupid sexual comment to arise. Come on, married men cat calling to their own daughters (of course they are not aware of the fact). Still, how disgusting. That's an uncomfortable moment to watch with my dad! What a way to treat women! & don't watch this movie to teach your kids to respect the environment. "Buddy Hall" does not feel his life is "complete" without his house, covered in LED Christmas lights, to be seen from space. How honorable. & what happens when the lights go out? Everyone turns their cell phones on and wave them in the air singing silent night. Yes kids that’s what Christmas is all about! Stupidity & consumerism! Ughh, I advise you (no matter if you are 2 or 92) to not waste 93 minutes of your life watching this movie. ?

mustlovedogs500
teen, 13 years old
 
I love it!
This is in my top 5 for holiday movies. I have only seen it once, but remember every bit of it because of how great it was.

jdschombs
parent of and 8 , 11 , 14 year old
 
Not worth a penny
Terrible movie do not have your kids watch it

pupkinz2345
teen, 17 years old
 
super funny
it was so so so good. it was a classic it was so so so so so so so so so so so funny. i mean it was just so funny, not scary at all not gross or anything like that at all> I love it so much

 
Not a family movie.
This was degrading at worst and pure drivel at best. Many sexual references, most not easily overlooked. Some examples are the kid ogling the neighbor's older daughters in skimpy clothing, while they have a pillow fight, etc... A show at a type of Christmas fair with girls in skimpy costumes and fishnets dancing provocatively, and the two main characters shouting out at them. A man saying the sheriff is a cross dresser, then later actually seeing the bra and thong when he squats. A couple of things that would probably be over a small kids head, but not a teenagers are the reference to a pol in the bedroom, and the neighbor's wife grabbing her boobs and asking "Is it me?" after they hear a loud pop. Not things I want my children exposed it. As for the below rating that simply tells people not to let there children see it- not to "whine about it"- that the POINT of this site, so parents can get the facts and decide if they think things are appropriate for their family or not.

 
Not what I want the kids to see
One of my biggest issues with this movie was the treatment of the women. I'm bringing up a teeenage boy and trying to teach him that women are not objects. This movie did not help. Cleavage is shown frequently and at one point the dad's are cat-calling towards 3 of Santa's dancing helpers, who are swinging their backsides to the crowd. Imagine the surprise when the girls turn around and see their Dads! So you have men in the movie making sexual comments towards under age girls, despite being married. This alone should make you stop and reconsider this movie.

RoxChick
teen, 16 years old
 
Why do all you people hate it?
I do not know why the hell all you people hate it, it's awsome, funny, WHY PEOPLE WHY!

jdomke1
adult
 
Not a kids movie
Started out OK but after 15 minutes it became full of sexual imagery, violence and language. It doesn't matter what age your kids are, exposing them to films like this does affect them and their images of women. I too found myself checking the rating because I didn't have to enter my parental code to watch it. It went off 1/2 way through because the plot was so ridiculous and I didn't like how women were being portrayed.

 
should be rated PG-13
The movie itself is pretty entertaining, but there are certain contents may not be appropriate for young children. It should have been rated PG-13 or edited.

directerdude123
teen, 18 years old
 
not very good
This movie did not have many funny parts and was rather boring at some parts. ok for 7+

november27
teen, 14 years old
 
okay
It is fine but some scences are inapproiate.

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