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Fanboys

(2009, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Kristen Bell, Jay Baruchel, Dan Fogler)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    The Force isn't with crude story of fandom and friendship.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship
updated 10.02.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There's a message about friendship hiding here (the lead characters are willing to do anything for a terminally ill friend), but it's overshadowed by plenty of iffy stuff. On the up side, a real, sincere relationship blossoms between two of the leads -- in contrast to less meaningful dalliances and attractions -- but women are also fairly marginalized characters overall.
  • Role models :

    Charcters partipcate in a break-in (it's well-intentioned, but...), and there's lots of bathroom humor.
  • Violence:

    Comedic scuffling and flailing, mostly ineffectual and inept. Some mock-martial arts action and weapons violence (quarterstaff combat, science-fiction replica weapons), all for comedic effect. A man is hurled from a van; a van drives toward people on foot.
  • Sex:

    Nude buttocks, both male and female, are shown as passersby are "mooned"; other implied nudity. Sexual situations (kissing, etc) -- both in the context of a relationship and with young women who turn out to be escorts. A young man meets face-to-face with his "cyber girlfriend," only to discoverthat she's approximately 10 years old ("I'm a pedophile," he shrieks). Many digressions about sex, sex acts, sexual conduct, and sexual prowess. A gay bar is depicted as a den of iniquity. A joke revolves around male homosexual prostitution.
  • Language:

    Lots of strong language, including "f--k," "bitches," "fag" (as an insult), "s--t," "Jesus Murphy" (as an exclamation), "cornhole," "man package," "penis," "dickhead," "a--hole," "pimp-slap," "whores," "dips--t," and much, much more. "The finger" is given.
  • Consumerism:

    The entire film revolves around a group's quest to see Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace prior to its release; the movie is a constant series of references to the fantasy-world myths and real-world genesis of the Star Wars saga. Other brands mentioned or shown include Star Trek; iPhone; Palm Pilot; The Rocketeer; Top Gun; Paramount/Viacom; Lucasfilm; Six Days, Seven Nights; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Batman; Priceline; and many more.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink beer and hard liquor to excess; scenes take place in bars. Characters smoke cigars and cigarettes and are given Peyote-laced guacamole; a terminally ill character is given a large amount of Peyote. Prescription drugs are administered by a physician.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fanboys

Parents need to know that this Star Wars-centered comedy really pushes the limits for PG-13, with lots of swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t"), drinking, smoking, and sexual content (particularly discussions of sex and sex acts, though naked butts are also shown). That said, under all the rude and crude comedy is a message about friendship and believing in something.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why they think this movie was rated PG-13 instead of R. Does it seem that different from other crude comedies that did earn R ratings? If so, how? 
  • Discuss the overall cultural impact -- for good and for ill -- of Star Wars.
  • How have George Lucas' films changed how we watch movies? How have they affected what kids of movies get made?
  • What happens when someone's love for a piece of pop culture goes a little too far?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    funny comedy movie, not for young kids though

    I liked this movie and thought it was really funny. There is some sexual material and language though. If your kids already know stuff like that then no worrie what so ever.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    There is a part where a girl remove her shirt on the highway in a car. A girl removes her bra and shirt in a comic store. One guy has only " one ball"

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Free MOVIES YAY:)

    Get this awsome movie for free at http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=60532 13 should be allowed to watch.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    this movie should be rated r

  6. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0

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