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Junior (PG-13, 1994)

common sense media says

Arnold's Mr. Mom film lacks belly laughs.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie, which features a male character who becomes pregnant, is probably not for younger kids who are still asking, "Where do babies come from?" Some kids might also be disturbed by the fact that chimpanzees, which are used in fertility experiments in the film, are shown in cages in a laboratory. However, the movie does not depict any animal abuse, unless one counts the fact that the chimps had to co-star in a mediocre film.

Positive messages: In general, characters have their hearts in the right place, but they occasionally do questionable things in the name of a higher purpose. For instance, two doctors ignore an FDA decision and secretly test an experimental fertility drug on a human. One of them steals a frozen egg from another scientist's cryogenics research project. However, characters overall take responsibility for their actions.
Violence: Dr. Hesse throws another character across a room. One scene shows a doctor injecting a long needle into a man's abdomen. During two separate childbirth scenes, a little blood is seen on a suction tube and on a newborn infant's head.
Sex: A woman and man kiss, and later are interrupted while they're making out on a couch. The woman later suggests that they have sex, which occurs off-screen. A shelf of porno videos is briefly seen in a fertility doctor's office. It's understood that the videos are there to help men submit their sperm samples.
Language: A few curse words, such as "s--t" and "bastard."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A character is shown smoking cigars.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Dr. Hesse decides to "keep the baby." How does the experience change him and make him a better person overall? They can also talk about comedies they really enjoy. What do they have in common? What kind of humor do they use? How are they effective at making you laugh? Is there an element of the absurd in everything that's funny?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In JUNIOR, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays scientist Alex Hesse, who agrees to test an experimental fertility drug on himself. So far he has only tried Expectane on chimps, but when the FDA prohibits further study on actual women, Hesse's partner, obstetrician/gynecologist Larry Arbogast (Danny DeVito), convinces him to undergo a procedure in which Arbogast injects an embryo into Hesse's abdomen. Hesse then takes regular doses of Expectane and industrial-strength shots of female hormones. The result, while biologically outlandish, is pretty predictable. As "Junior" grows in Hesse's belly (and he responds to all those hormones), he gets in touch with his feminine side, transforming from a reserved, unemotional scientist to a sensitive, warm, er, mommy-to-be.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Watching Danny DeVito administer a sonogram to the bulging belly of Arnold Schwarzenegger should probably be hilarious, but it may leave some viewers screaming for the Demerol. Hearing Schwarzenegger say the equivalent of "I'm keeping my baby" is good for a mild chuckle, sure, and it's somewhat touching to see his character thaw. Still, the comedy is more likely to induce cringes than belly laughs, which is too bad, given what director Ivan Reitman has done with movies like Stripes and Ghostbusters. And let's face it -- it's kind of creepy to see Schwarzenegger's muscled torso expand into an inflated pregnant belly.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release: November 23, 1994
DVD release: December 15, 1998
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sex-related humor.
This review was written by Teresa Talerico
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

LNC
teen, 18 years old
10
 
Okay for older kids, inappropiate to tweens
I saw the movie when I was seven or younger and liked it. At that age I was too young to know what "bad words" really were so I'm not sure about the language. I thought it was pretty strange that a man could be pregnant but found the movie funny.
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starwars reviewer
kid, 13 years old
2
 
So many chances to be funny! How did they mess it up?
Really? Arnold is PREGNANT! This is the perfect formula for a really funny plot, but it's so bland! Besides being a continous line of dialogue, there are no punchlines! Truly, this worries me. The most well known bodybuilder in the USA is pregnant, and you cannot make it funny? Pretty sad.
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james brown
teen, 17 years old
 
sucks SO bad
this deffinetly gets the "worst" movie award. just because I said it's ok for kids my age dosn't mean they should watch it. arnolds sapost to kill people not be pregnant. come on, DON'T watch enough said.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)

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ON: Content is 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
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