Osmosis Jones (PG, 2001)

common sense media says

The PG rating is deceptive.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film's PG rating is deceptive. The ratings board doesn't take cartoon violence very seriously, but some kids may be upset that characters they care about are in peril and some characters die or come very close. More than that, the movie is extremely gross, with both tension and jokes relating to every kind of bodily fluid, excretion, and function. If you see this movie, pass by the snack bar, as you will not be in the mood to eat a bucket of popcorn or anything else. Parents should also know that the movie features a child whose mother has died and who is terribly worried about losing her father, who seems bent on suicide by junk food. Some kids will be upset by the way that the child has to assume the role of parent.

Violence: Comic peril, characters killed, one apparent sad death.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Strong for a PG.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Scenes in bar.

More on Osmosis Jones

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how we keep our bodies strong enough to fight off infection and viruses, and the challenge of deciding between things that feel good now and those that feel good later. How does that relate to the choice between the two candidates for mayor? What does Osmosis mean about "being too careful?" Talk about the news broadcasts that the characters inside of Frank watch. If there was one going on inside you, what would it say? Think about how well your family does on taking care of yourselves and what you can do to do better.

What's the story?

What's the story?
OSMOSIS JONES is a PG-rated, mostly animated movie about a very hip white blood cell (voice of Chris Rock) and a cold capsule (voice of David Hyde Pierce) who fight a nasty virus (voice of Laurence Fishburne) to save the scrofulous body of zoo attendant Frank (Bill Murray). The live action story, starring Murray with Elena Franklin as his daughter, Shane, Chris Elliott as his friend and a brief, effervescent appearance by Molly Shannon as Shane's teacher, takes up about a quarter of movie. The rest takes place inside Frank's body, a swarming metropolis with white cell cops fighting off everything from gingivitis to intestinal unpleasantness.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The Farelly brothers, whose There's Something About Mary plumbed new depths of bodily function humor (and ended up on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 funniest movies) have plumbed new depths of internal plumbing in Osmosis Jones.

The details -- and many of the jokes -- may be a little hard to follow for anyone who does not have a working knowledge of anatomy. But the basic story line of a cop who likes to do things his way paired up with a straight-arrow, by-the-books partner joining forces against a lethal bad guy is standard movie stuff, and, as usual, it works pretty well.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Cast: Brandy Norwood, Chris Rock, David Hyde Pierce
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: August 10, 2001
DVD release: November 13, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: bodily humor

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

Review It

 

Review Osmosis Jones





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Gross cartoon can be fun
This is both a gross and fun movie. The animated portions are clever and funny, but the real world ones are really quite gross and wierd. There's an intense scene near the end that kids may not be able to handle. Some of the caroon images are sadistically violent or vulgar. That was a warning for parents. Bottom Line: a good movie if you're open-minded, and do not get grossed-out easily. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

VForNoVendettas
kid, 10 years old
 
Saw this when I was younger, good movie.
I was browsing CSM today when I remembered this, just had to review it, its not a bad movie its actually a very fun movie for kids and parents.

tiff0795
teen, 16 years old
 
Rated PG for bodily humor
you don't have to worry about the language. All it is is "He's one cell of a guy" "Get your nucleus down there!" lots of humor about the body. The only bad message is a hidden one, where Drix is telling Osmosis to go to the uvuella, when Osmosis asks where the cell it is, Drix says it's the little hangy ball. Osmosis exclaims that he knows where it's at, it's in the boxers, then Drix starts yelling the back of the throat. some violence and some scary sceenes, and some potty humor, but nothing really major.

everme234
teen, 13 years old
 
amazing movie
this movie is brilliant u HAVE to see it

ianmahabub
kid, 12 years old
 
Osmosis Jones Is Off For 11 Years Old
This Is The First Farelly Brothers Cartoon Movie

live2shop
kid, 12 years old
 
i watched this movie when i was very little and it scarred me for life. it was pukey and disgusting and the poor little girl's father dies from sickness. i still am afraid to watch it not only because i had many nightmares that week when i watched it but it would be a waste of my good frickin time. this movie sucked. Don't bother watching it or the darn TV show either. Both are absolutely revolting!!! i say it has bad language because references to bodily functions like feces, urine, passing gas, ect.

crap
adult
 
I do not agree
For any parents checking this movie is not as aprprote as you think there are very sad scenes at the end there is a big fight. Words such as hell are used. And a slopp is killed in a very sad way. [Don't worry after you cry he comes back to life.] This should have a PG-13 rating.

EasterSweetie
kid, 11 years old
 
It's okay, but definatley not for under 8!
It's a great movie and all but I don't really like all the refrences to swerar word like "What the Frank?" and "He's on cell of a guy!" also "Dipstick!" I also don't like the scene where Osmosis is at the theatre watching Frank's dreams and the two red blood cells behind him are kissing. Also, there is an insane amount of violents. For example, the virus uses his nails/claws and slices open a germ violently.

DL1
teen, 14 years old
 
Are You Serious
I loved this movie. I watched it and the TV series when I was like 5. There is no real language just innuendos like "He's one cell of a guy" There is nothing that is inappropriate about this movie. It has it's sad deaths but nothing to bad. I think you all should grow up!

allietron
kid, 13 years old
 
Good Movie

Jen5413
adult
 
This movie was gross and used a lot of bad language and scenes of smoking. I couldn't believe it was only a PG!! I think it definitely should be rated PG-13. Do not let anyone under the age of 13 see this movie.

pie or pie
kid, 12 years old
 
on ages 4 and up
um wtf are you talking about i first saw this movie when i was 4

perfectionist
teen, 15 years old
 
great action comedy
this movie was better than i expected. Kids will love it. But some kids will probably not understand some of the jokes.

love2
parent of 19 year old
 
not a deseptive movie.
me and my family luv this movie! and it is not deseptive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
I enjoyed this movie very much
I didn't think of the body humor as gross, but more clever. It's like a satire, in its own way, of detective shows, except as cells. Brilliant and funny...plus I liked the TV series as well.

CSM Screen ...
teen, 17 years old
 
Its not for young kids!

sisterwhocares
teen, 15 years old
 
Not bad, rather educational. A bit corny, but good for 5th/6th graders.
I actually watched this movie in my health class, and it is rather educational. Most of the inappropriate stuff is just potty humor. It does give some good facts about the human body, and the main character is very brave. However, this movie has its drawbacks too. Some of the "violence" did not scare me at all, but it might scare some younger children, since the main character is this red creepy guy (E. coli). I did not really catch any language, but there might have been some language references. The sexual content was a tad bit much for a movie geared towards 6-8 year olds (as I could tell); let me be specific. There is some kissing, and in a club a germ in a very skimpy, lingerie-like outfits dances (just shaking rear back and forth; the rear is not shown). Also, Osmosis flirts with a woman and asks her if she wants to "hook up", which younger children might not understand. The potty humor is slightly nauseating sometimes (a guy is shown throwing up), and a little too frequent, but that is common in these cartoon, early 2000s type of movies. Oh, and the dad dies at the ends, but it's only clinical, he later shows to be alive. Overall, not a bad movie for older kids and young tweens (the corny plot and potty humor will bore older ones), especially those taking life/human body classes. Surprisingly educational.

GeoTraxBoy
kid, 10 years old
 
Disgusting!!
Very very gross! I couldn't eat very well after I saw the movie. This is NOT appropriate for kids! I saw it at school and the other kids in my class liked it, but I wish I had never seen it. It is also so sad that I almost cried. I don't get grossed out very easily or get sick at the sight of blood, but the way they showed things in this movie really bothered me.

dochnwillow
parent of 11 and 12 year old
 
A great movie the family can watch together and talk about after
This was a great movie!! My boys had first seen the Knock off cartoon Ozzy and Drix, and After we previewed the movie, we let the boys watch it. They LOVED IT.... True the start is sad, but it is a good movie, because they show how a death can effect EVERYONE in the family.... they didn't play the card that only the kids get upset. It also shows how much the dad realizes ,as the movie progresses, that his daughter needs him as much as he needs her. This is a movie that families can discuss, and many can understand.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Osmosis Jones?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

About our rating system
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