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Master of Disguise (PG, 2002)

common sense media says

A messy disappointment for Dana Carvey fans.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is too vulgar for a PG rating and too dumb for audiences of any age. Pistachio is fascinated with women who have large rear ends and his jokes when a character serves appetizers ("do you have a little wiener and tiny nuts?"). He disguises himself as a cow patty. And slapping an opponent while yelling "Who's your daddy?" is a way of showing manliness and competence. Pistachio himself is a annoyingly disturbing character, an odd child-man with an inexplicable accent and an unforgivable haircut.

Violence & scariness: A lot of hitting.
Sexy stuff: Crude humor, including flatulence, vulgarity.
Language: Some.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Master of Disguise

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how being able to imitate someone requires very careful observation.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Carvey plays Pistachio Disguisey, the youngest in a family with magical powers to transform themselves. His father (James Brolin) never told him of the family's secret because he wanted to protect him. So little Pistachio does not know why he has a Tourette-like compulsion to imitate everyone he sees. When his parents are captured by bad guy Devlin Bowman (Brent Spiner), who suffers from intestinal distress whenever he tries his evil laugh (now are you laughing?), and it is up to Pistachio to save the day. Pistachio's grandfather (Harold Gould) arrives to give him a few quick lessons in transformation and self-defense.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This misbegotten mess of a movie is a terrible disappointment for fans of Dana Carvey. It is also a disappointment for fans of comedy and fans of movies. It really is hard to imagine how the talented Carvey can have taken what sounded like a can't-miss premise and missed so completely. Carvey's genius for impressions is utterly wasted. So is his charm. So is his time. So is ours.

Weak references to classics like "The Exorcist," "Star Wars," and other oldies will have no meaning to kids. Audience members old enough to recognize Jesse Ventura, Jessica Simpson, and Bo Derek might enjoy their brief cameos. But even at less than 70 minutes, the movie feels endless, with an extended post-credit sequence that just adds insult to injury.

Movie themes & details

Themes
adventures
Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Perry Andelin Blake
Cast: Brent Spiner, Dana Carvey, Jennifer Esposito
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 80 minutes
Theatrical release: August 2, 2002
DVD release: January 28, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: bathroom humor
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

jacob0929
parent of 16 year old
6
 
mashy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
crude and funny
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iheartdoxies
teen, 18 years old
8
 
Good movie for ages 7 & up
I think the review posted is a little too critical. It's negatively biased. I saw this movie when I was about seven and i thought it was great! It's full of laughs and family friendly. Serious natured people might find it a little silly for their taste though. "Too dumb for any age"? wow. i think not! don't judge a movie by its review, especially the one by Nell Minow.
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bbot39
kid, 11 years old
5
 
Hillarious ! I think it wasnt that bad they may have done some flirting but it is Ok. And i am a Dana Carvey fan and was not dissapointed
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zamel
teen, 14 years old
6
 
great!
i saw it when i was 6 and loved it! and still do!
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i hate common ...
kid, 12 years old
2
 
GODD*MNIT!
off for 8 and under, and iffy for 9 and over (or 9-18)? and gave it bad? what the h*ll? crap, it's for all ages and not bad, i will give it 3-5 stars.
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movieman3
kid, 12 years old
7
 
Nice for kids of all ages
Violence: The Disguises have hand-to-hand mortal combat with Bowman's henchman. Sexual Content: Pistachio tells a girl he is a virgin and has never kissed a girl.
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Forknose
adult
 
It's Dana Carvey!
Dana Carvey has always been funny. This movie is great. I would say it is good for anyone too. I would give it a G rating. Dana Carvey is just one of those actors who can make a seemingly average looking movie great.
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kevin
teen, 15 years old
 
hilarios
I dont know why people hate this film?
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Ashnak
adult
11
 
Goofy Movie
This movie has some really funny parts and some questionable sexual comments as well. That's Why I say 11+
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hb09
teen, 15 years old
 
Weird... I do like the turtle dude though!
Not very good but, not that bad either. Good for 6+.
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Annoying, Disturbing, and a Complete Waste of Time
Dana Carvey is out of his mind. Not only did he star in this mess of a movie, he co-wrote it. What was he thinking? The movie tells the story of Pistachio, a strange child-like adult who is barely understandable through his Italian accent and thinks that good women have huge buttocks. He discovers that he is a Master of Disguise like his ancestors, and he must rescue his parents from an evil businessman who has gas problems. The movie has an unexpected and uncalled for amount of sexual humor, making jokes about the sizes of womens' hind quarters and mens' genitals, all the while showing make-out scenes and the like. Slapstick violence is shown throughout, and mild language is present. I'm going to be frank with you. Don't watch it. Don't let your kids watch it. It's a stupid, twisted, mess of an innapropriate waste of time. I hope that gets my point across.
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BlueCastle
kid, 10 years old
9
 
I loved when he said r you coping me
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Ivory121
parent of 9 and 14 year old
8
 
Okay, I'll admit it's a bad movie, but I do not believe that it was meant to amuse adults (I hope). It's fairly harmless and makes my 9 year old son belly laugh. The villian's evil laugh is always punctuated with flatulence, there is a healthy appreciation for large butts, and bouts of silly slap fighting. Overall, silly and harmless. Really.
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Jbobsession11
teen, 13 years old
2
 
LOL SO FUNNY
I saw it at the library and thought it looked funny so i decided to rent it.I watched it later on and me and my friends laughed our heads off.I'm obsessed.My friends have kinda gotton bored of it but I still love to rent it.There's nothing bad in it and little kids will only like the funny turtle guy or gammy num nums.
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fritzsky
adult
 
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