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Postal (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Over-the-top satire is unfunny, unformed, and unnecessary.

parents & educators say
  • 67% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film is deliberately crafted to push buttons with "edgy" material; regrettably, the ham-fisted level of execution means that the metaphorical buttons are not so much pushed as smashed to oblivion. An endless series of sexually charged, racially insensitive, and brutally violent "jokes" makes this movie as uncomfortable as it is unnecessary. It lacks the point of view or coherence that might make it enjoyable, or even interesting.

Positive messages: Stereotypical "comedic" portrayals of Islamic characters, obese characters, "white trash," "retards," religious cults, Asian characters, African-American characters, German characters, religious fanaticism, and more. Theft of private property. Discussions of biological warfare terror attacks. Police are depicted as brutal, corrupt thugs. A constant stream of "edgy" material that's clearly meant to be satirical, but lacking any real intent or intelligence behind it. "Comedic" use of Nazi iconography.
Violence: Depictions of shootings, fighting, brutality, and violence; a "comedic" re-enactment of the 9/11 attacks. "Comedic" depictions of suicide bombing. Blood and gore. Multiple depictions of murder, including the bodies of children. Gunplay. Explosions.
Sex: Discussions of sex, sexual acts, and sexual slang, as well as vulgar language; a major plot point revolves around a penis-shaped plush toy. Discussions of the virgins promised to Islamic martyrs. Male and female full-frontal nudity -- including naked breasts; depictions of sex acts, including oral sex.
Language: Constant foul language, including 'f--k," "s--t," "p---y," "damn," "c--ksucking," "motherf---ing," "ass," "a--hole," and much, much more.
Consumerism: Mentions of brands like eBay. Discussions of consumerism.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Marijuana is smoked; drug-smoking paraphernalia is seen; cigarette smoking; alcohol is consumed.
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More on Postal

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Parents can talk about the balancing act inherent in over-the-top satire: What makes one like Blazing Saddles a classic, while this movie simply feels tired and cheap?
  • Discuss the film's repeated 9/11 jokes; are there some things you can't turn into comedy?
  • The director has a reputation for bad-but-moneymaking movies; does his ineptitude matter if his films turn a profit?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In the miserable town of Paradise, the Dude (Zack Ward) is without work, without happiness, without any chance of advancement. His charlatan uncle Dave (Dave Foley) convinces the Dude to hijack a shipment of that year's hot toy, a penis-shaped stuffed toy. What the Dude and Dave do not know is that Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist followers plan to use the dolls to distribute a biowarfare agent to wipe out America; soon the Dude is pursued by every side of the law as he's trying to stay alive.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Director Uwe Boll is best-known for adapting video games into bad, but profitable, films; Boll's take on the video game Postal -- which, as a game, followed a deranged postal employee as he went on a killing spree -- is a slapdash satire that feels overstuffed and yet thin, shallow in execution but deeply offensive.

POSTAL may be trying to shoot for the anything-goes lunacy of the South Park cartoons, but it lacks the intrinsic good-heartedness of the South Park franchise; Postal may be trying for the social satire of the sharp, savvy Borat or the fierce Fight Club, but the execution is so clumsy and dim that the bluntness of the 'comedy' is far duller than any satirical edge Boll might imagine he's bringing to the material.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Vivendi
Director: Uwe Boll
Cast: Dave Foley, J.K. Simmons, Zack Ward
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: May 23, 2008
DVD release: August 28, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: extremely crude humor throughout, including strong sexuality, graphic nudity, violence, and for pervasive language
This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

BigDickMcGraw
adult
2
 
Movie is cheesy, but still a classic
Let me just say that if you think that this movie would teach your kids to go off and set things on fire or shoot people in the streets. You have a hell of a lot more problems than an R-rated movie. Yes, this movie has over the top violence, enormous amounts of profanity, constant drug usage and references, as well as full-frontal male and female nudity, but that's what makes this movie stand out. Sure, most families will say that it's highly innappropriate for kids; but that's because THIS MOVIE ISN'T FOR KIDS. That's why it's rated R. The MPAA didn't rate this movie PG so that kids could go see Verne Troyer being molested by primates in one of the character's basement. Grow a brain and don't buy this movie for your kid just so that you can complain about it later unless they're mature enough to handle this.
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october1985
adult
15
 
If your kids have played the video game, they will definitely be fine with this film. The game was very morbid and violent, but also fairly smart in terms of social-commentary and hillarious at times. The movie does have violence but is not as bad as the game, however the movie is fairly faithful in terms of humor. Anyway, it has pretty much everything that is objectional, however I think most mature teens can handle it.
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CorporalStubbs
teen, 14 years old
14
 
Cool
Postal dude tries to make wrongs rights
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butt monger
parent of 13 year old
8
 
okay for 8 and up
love it, kids will understand it if very mature. watch it with your kids to explain tha tis is nnot real life and could never happen
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cerealkiller189
teen, 13 years old
5
 
NOT A VERY GOOD REVIEWER.
YOUR KIDS HAVE SEEN WORSE THINGS ,EH THE BLOOD ISN'T BAD AT ALL COMPARED TO SOME MOVIES AND IF YOUR KIDS HAVE PLAYED THE VIDEO GAME(IVE PLAYED POSTAL 1 AND POSTAL 2 AND FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THOSE GAMES THE VIOLENCE IS MUCH WORSE.ASFOR SEX,DON'T WORRY IT'S PART OF LIFE I SAW IT WHEN I WAS 10 AND MY BROTHER WHO'S SEVEN AT THATTIME AND MY DAD IT WASN'T BAD AT ALL
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