 | 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. |
Postal
- Review Date: February 16, 2009
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Over-the-top satire is unfunny, unformed, and unnecessary.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
Amazing would watch again with family
Brilliant, a spine-tingling fun-filled ride for all of the family!
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| Studio: | Vivendi |
| Director: | Uwe Boll |
| Cast: | Dave Foley, J.K. Simmons, Zack Ward |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 23, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | August 28, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | extremely crude humor throughout, including strong sexuality, graphic nudity, violence, and for pervasive language |
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