Dragnet (1987) (PG-13, 1987)
common sense media says
Lots of naughty behavior, laughs in TV cop spoof.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are sexual shenanigans here, given a subplot about a millionaire porn merchant and a heroine stated to be a confirmed virgin. Pretty much nude is an exotic dancer wearing only nipple pasties and a thong. A storm of swear words issue from one female character old enough to be a grandmother (that's apparently the joke). Violent acts include bloodless gun violence, car crashes/police chases, and a modified tank as battering ram. A powerful priest with Jerry Falwell/Pat Robertson attributes turns out to be a lascivious, devil-worshipping master villain. His outdoor Satanist ritual looks like a big party (with Nazi rally overtones). There is a winking attitude towards drugs, drinking, and smoking. An older Dragnet exists on video -- also co-starring Harry Morgan -- but it's the original straight version, not this popular comedy.
Violence:
Much shooting in the finale, plus explosions and arson fires. Cars blown up by bombs and crashed in high-speed police chases. Street punks threaten Joe Friday with knives and martial-arts weapons. Hand-to-hand combat, crotch kicks, and characters wrestling a large snake.
Sex:
A pole dancer in a thong and pasties on her nipples is about as naked as one could get without being fully nude. A suplot involves a softcore-magazine publisher (with vaguely Hugh Hefner attributes). A character is referred to as "the virgin" repeatedly.
Language:
Swearing for comedic effect, mainly from a foulmouthed landlady ("s--t," "asswipe" ) old enough to be a grandmother. Plus "Goddamn" and "balls."
Consumerism:
Nods to other movies (including the Nightmare on Elm Street series), salutes to Los Angeles landmarks and attractions, such as the Brown Derby restaurant.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Social drinking, including Streebek guzzling wine by the bottle. Both the hero (Friday) and the villain smoke, even though other characters mildly disapprove. Drug humor in the presence of a variety of illicit pills (to which Streebek takes quite a fancy).
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