 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Encino Man
- Review Date: October 9, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1992
Common Sense Media says
Silly teen comedy has some Neanderthal behavior.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this silly teen sex comedy is heavy on objectifying girls' bodies, showing them in skimpy clothes and talking about girls' body parts. Characters also do some things that parents wouldn't want their kids to do: They lie to their parents, they use their friends to become more popular, they steal a car, they go to a bar, they break into school, and break into a house. There's also some swearing and comic violence.
What's the story?
Willing to do anything to become popular and win back the affection of his grade-school crush, Robyn (Meagan Ward), bumbling high school senior Dave (Sean Astin), digs his own swimming pool for a prom-night party. When he discovers a hunk of ice containing a caveman, Dave uses it to advance his popularity. When the ice block thaws, out comes the totally buff and totally cave-rific Link (Brendan Fraser). Soon, Link is learning modern behavior from TV, and passing easily as a modern teenage boy; he's scruffy, he wears weird clothes, he grunts more than speaks, and all he can think about is the girl of his dreams. But once Link becomes more popular than him, can Dave handle it?
Is it any good?
Encino Man is a mostly harmless teen comedy that accurately reflects the struggles most teens have in high school. The film launched more roles for Fraser as a bumbling action-movie hero and he pulls off the role wonderfully. Between Fraser's innocent silliness and co-star Pauly Shore's Weasel schtick, the movie's good-hearted goofiness is infectious. There's some typical teen misbehavior, but no over-the-top sexual and gross-out situations. Just mindless, silly fun from the more comically innocent early '90s.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the difficulty of navigating the social circles of high school. What do you do when you like someone who is in a different social circle than you? Does it make you feel worse about yourself? Does it make you want to do anything you can to prove to them that you're good enough? How do you handle the social rules of high school?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
November 13, 2011
AGE
Encino Man
Encino man was very good, but I'm not so sure it is appropriate for 8 and under. My brothers started running around willy-nilly saying the bad words. It was NOT helpful at the grocery store.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
April 25, 2010
AGE
I like this movie, but if it came out today it would definately be rated PG-13. It contains many references to sex (no scenes though), underaged drinking, homophobic slurs, and more swearing than a typical PG movie.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | high school |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Les Mayfield |
| Cast: | Brendan Fraser, Pauly Shore, Sean Astin |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 9, 1992 |
| DVD release date: | January 18, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild language and sensuality. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
