Let's Go to Prison (R, 2006)

common sense media says

Punk'd star in adult jail-house comedy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this dark comedy about jail isn't for kids. Teens may very well want to see it, though, since it stars Punk'd phenomenon Dax Shepard. The movie is rife with adult-oriented references to topics like gay sex, humans being sold to other humans, murder and other crimes, and cross-dressing men, to name a few. That said, the movie's theme is how to get revenge on someone who's already dead -- which isn't exactly grown-up!

Positive messages: Stealing, murder, threats, lying, selling humans to other humans, and other crimes that land people in prison. All mined for comedy, of course.
Violence: Prison violence from guards and inmates (punching and fighting); one character is punched in his private parts.
Sex: A male character cross-dresses; references to lap dances, gay sex, sex magazines.
Language: Name-calling; "sucks," "f--k," "hell," "damn," "ass."
Consumerism: Publisher's Clearing House, Court TV, Fresca.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some smoking and drinking. Drug references.

More on Let's Go to Prison

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how to stay out of the prison system. What do you think jail is really like? Is it anything like what's shown in the movie? Why do some people find it so hard to escape the prison system? What can society do to help change that, if anything? Also, why is revenge never really as sweet as the media would have you believe?

What's the story?

What's the story?
John Lyshitski (Dax Shepard) is a career criminal who's figured out how to get revenge on the now-dead judge who sent him to prison: watch gleefully as the official's obnoxious son, Nelson Biederman IV (Will Arnett), tries to navigate the prison system. When Nelson is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to the pen, John gets himself thrown back in the clink and becomes Nelson's cellmate, ensuring that his new buddy gets the "full treatment." John's first advice for Nelson? The joint's a scary place, so make friends fast. Naturally, Nelson quickly offends the wrong cons and is sold -- by John -- to Barry (Chi McBride) for some cuddling. But just as John is basking in sweet revenge, things go oh so wrong. Nelson turns the tables and becomes the Big Man in the Big House ... which means that things aren't looking so good for John, after all.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
If you like deadpan humor -- in this case, skillfully delivered by Shepard -- Let's Go to Prison is a funny satire on the justice system. But with references to all sorts of adult-oriented stuff -- gay sex, lap dances, drugs, and prison violence, just to name a few -- it's definitely not for kids.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Bob Odenkirk
Cast: David Koechner, Dax Shepard, Will Arnett
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: November 16, 2006
DVD release: March 6, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language, sexual content, some violence and drug material.
Watch our review

This review was written by Jane Boursaw
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

dfk1010
adult
 
great movie
Lots of talk about being raped in prison, shotting and langugaebut. I think it's okay for kids 12 and up. It's a great movie.

Plague
parent
 
Lets go to Prison
Extremely funny movie. Sure, some gay sex, but nothing is shown, just implied. Not that there is really anything wrong with gays. 5 stars.

 
Gross
This movie has some sexual part like gay sex and sex magazines so that is bad it also has bad language so mot Ok for kids.

romgo13
adult
 
I laughed
It was fun

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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