 | 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. |
King's Ransom
- Review Date: December 14, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Coarse comedy about kidnapping and revenge.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie includes raunchy sexual language, irritating humor at an elderly woman's expense, tired stereotypes, fart jokes, and ridiculous plotting -- all potentially offensive for some viewers. While the language is relatively mild, it is repetitive (frequent uses of "damn," "bitch," and "hell" in particular). Characters drink, smoke cigars and cigarettes, splat condiments (mustard, ketchup) on one another's faces, and fight verbally and physically. Wealthy executive Malcolm is selfish and materialistic, loathed by his wife and employees (who call him a "jackass" more than once), but as these supporting players are dim, obnoxious, and/or greedy as well, you're left with no one to like.
What's the story?
The plot of KING'S RANSOM is premised on the fact that everyone who knows Malcolm (Anthony Anderson) dislikes him and wants revenge for his meanness. In the midst of an ugly divorce from wife Renee (Kellita Smith), Malcolm fires his competent, cocky Acting Vice President of Marketing, Angela (Nicole Parker), to hire his dim-witted, tight-dressed mistress Peaches (Regina Hall). Meanwhile, Angela's friend Kim (Leila Arcieri) has "found Jesus," and impoverished Corey (Jay Mohr) fears his sister Raven (Lisa Marcos), who just escaped from prison and is threatening him for money. Variously desperate, Renee, Angela, and Corey plan separately to kidnap Malcolm for ransom, while he and Peaches, along with her paroled brother Herb (Charlie Murphy), plot his kidnapping themselves, to avoid paying Renee a divorce settlement.
Is it any good?
All the plots of King's Ransom converge in a mostly unfunny cacophony (save for the masks worn by Angela and her two-girl crew, including Condoleezza Rice and Jesse Jackson); identities are mistaken, promises betrayed, and stereotypes abound (Corey does business with a Chinese pawn shop owner named Miss Ho and beats up a Mexican worker at a fast food joint). The plot proceeds loudly and clumsily, leading to no lessons learned and bad behavior rewarded.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the animosity and envy caused by Malcolm's arrogance, or point out the film's use of broad stereotypes. Families might also consider the fact that the protagonist's name -- Malcolm King -- evokes Civil Rights leaders Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., in ways that can only be described as disappointing.
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AGE
Hunny, shade your eyes!
I have nothing else to say to this, eccept that it was crude and rude!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 28, 2011
AGE
what its not for 16 its for 7 year olds!
Well its a bit rude with language and there are sexual references but not too bad. I think i 7 year could watch it because any lower and they would not understand it. :)
ps i watch zombie land, kick ass, and hangover. things like that
and im only 12
3:) im a devil
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Jeff Byrd |
| Cast: | Anthony Anderson, Donald Faison, Regina Hall |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 97 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 22, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | July 26, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | crude and sexual humor and language |
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