 | 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. |
Old Dogs
- Review Date: November 16, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Clueless-dad comedy is forgettable family fluff.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Robin Williams/John Travolta family comedy from the director of Wild Hogs includes lots of sight gags and physical humor, as well as jokey references to relationships and the "birds and the bees," but it's generally family friendly. Although there's no overt sexuality aside from some flirting and a kiss between adult characters, older kids will surely understand that a central couple consummated their marriage, as short-lived as it was. The wedding night in question also includes a scene of the main characters drinking huge cocktails, and it's obvious that they're comically drunk. There's no serious violence, but characters frequently fall and/or are injured in comic ways.
What's the story?
In OLD DOGS, Charlie (John Travolta) and Dan (Robin Williams) are best friends/business partners on the verge of a multimillion dollar deal with a Japanese company. Then Dan receives a message from a memorable ex, Vicki (Kelly Preston), who tells him that, as the result of their impulsive (and annulled) one-night marriage, he's father of her 7-year-old twins, Emily (Ella Bleu Travolta) and Zach (Conner Rayburn). Because Vicki has to serve a two-week jail sentence for peaceful protesting, she needs someone to watch the twins. Dan enthusiastically agrees to care for his son and daughter and enlists Charlie's help to connect with the twins while simultaneously securing the lucrative Japanese contract.
Is it any good?
Although there are a few funny gags in Old Dogs, the old-guys-raising-kids premise is tired and predictable. Between the repetitive "grandpa" jokes and slapstick comedy, there's little that audiences haven't seen before (including a scene of Williams' barely clad body). Williams and Travolta are clearly at ease together, but the cast's familiarity with each other (Travolta's entire immediate family is in the film) doesn't make up for the movie's lazy writing and formulaic plot (is there ever really a doubt that Dan will land a new family and the deal of a lifetime?).
Probably the only really memorable part of Old Dogs is seeing the final on-screen performance of late, great comedian Bernie Mac, who plays a genius puppeteer in a small part. Other supporting players (most of whom have too little to do with their comedic talents) include Seth Green, Justin Long, Dax Shepard, and Luis Guzman. A much funnier plot could have centered around Green and Long as Williams' long-lost twins, instead of the movie's not particularly charming child actors....
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's message about the importance of family relationships. What do characters learn about choosing between family and business obligations?
Is Dan's reaction to the news that he's a father believable? How are older fathers portrayed in the movie? Are the grandpa and senior-citizen jokes funny or repetitive?
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AGE
awesome movie
It was a great movie, but it refered to some innapropriet things.
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AGE
DON'T LISTEN TO THE CRITICS!
It's been a long time since I've had a good laugh. This movie is so hilarious, and I was laughing so hard in certain scenes, that it gave me a stomach ache. A lot of humor is just plain silly, but it's just the silly things in the movie that made it funny. Robin Williams was the perfect actor for this movie, not to add, John Travolta was spectacular. I wish people would stop critizing every clean-goodnatured-Disney movie they ever make, because this one truly is entertaining. I review movies based on how much I enjoyed it, not if it freaked me out, or if it was sexy, or because of the dirty humor. "Old Dogs" is a delightful family film, and if you're like me, you'll be laughing through out the whole thing. Please give this movie a chance, and allow yourself to be part of the story. "Old Dogs" made me laugh, it made me cry, and it moved me. Overall, this is the type of movie you like based on your own opinion, not on how others view it. Watch it! You'll love it, I promise!
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AGE
The begginning was a little innapropriate, you can definitly tell they slept together and that is how the kids appeared.The rest of the movie was extremly funny, and suitable for younger kids. No bad language, except for the "stupid" and "poop" type of language. Overall it was a great movie, recomend for ages 9+.
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AGE
A Family Flick for sure!!!
This is a GREAT movie for the whole family! On the PSP, the label is visible and they talk about the car company Nissan. Old Dogs sad at one part where Charlie's dog dies but, there is nothing sad in the rest of the movie. It's also Hilarious at some parts. If you don't know what to rent or see in theatres with the "fam", go see Old Dogs. It's Great!
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Kid, 12 years old
November 29, 2009
AGE
good comedy but a little boring
i think it was a good, funny movie but was boring in the beggening. it is violent when they play ultimante frisbee, because one of the guys gets beat up and another gets a bloody lip. it also shows a scene from friday the 13th. they use idiot once or twice, but it isnt used enough for me to select language. they take pills that make them act weird, wich is kind of drugs. it has a ton of rude humor, words like diera, poo poo, and a kid tutes. a man gets hit in the privates by a golf ball
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AGE
10+ :)
Hmm. Really? Freaking out over Friday the 13th. Its not like they show it. This movie isn't innapropriate. Just not for young kids or they will be walking around laughing and saying "haha, farting"
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AGE
Quite boring for adults but good laugh for younger kids
I m Hungarian and we watched it with my 8 and 11 y-o with subtitles.I found it fairly boring and agree with those who said it was nothing special. For me Robin Williams in Captain Hook or John Travolta in Phenomenon were way more entertaining and this film was a great disappointment.Bed time story with Adam Sandler was much funnier too. I couldn't even think of a good message it had. Being a mother I could not identify with Kelly Preston, the mother. Why on earth would anyone keep in secret having twins for 7 years and not tell about it to the father? The story s too direct, without excitement , but there are some laughs . My 8 y-o son definitely loved it and he said he wanted to watch it dubbed. My daughter said the same.
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AGE
Yes, you know from the first frame of the movie how the story will unfold and end. However, while the trip is predictable, the acting, cameos and tempo of the film make it a very enjoyable experience. My kids are 9 and 12 and both loved it. Everyone in theater shared their enthusiasm and laughed throughout the film. The movie was not at all hard edged and was utterly appropriate for my kids. The reference to Friday the 13th, which caused one reviewer concern, was offered only to demonstrate Travolta's absolute lack of expertise with what is and what is not appropriate for kids. All in all a fun and harmless film that charmed all in out theater; kids and adults alike.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 18, 2010
AGE
Sexual Content (PG): Mild sexual refrences. Jokes about a gay couple.
Language (G): Some mild curses.
Drugs/Tobacco/Alchohol (G): Alchohol is consumed once.
Violence (G): Mild beatings.
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AGE
Beware the dog dying scene.
The main thing my 7 yr old daughter didn't like about the movie was that the long time friend of one character, his dog, dies in the movie. For a 7 yr old who has her own dog, this was very upsetting. And no where in any info does it warn you about this.
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| Topics: | friendship |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Walt Becker |
| Cast: | John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 25, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | March 9, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild rude humor |
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