 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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The Producers (2005)
- Review Date: May 15, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Musical
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Long, too-faithful film of stage musical.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film includes broad physical and what might be termed "vaudevillian" humor: ethnic, gay, and sex jokes, with language that might need explanation for younger viewers ("I shall take your virginity!" "You had to schtupp every little old lady in New York..."). The film also makes fun of a neurotic man's blanket fixation, Nazis/Hitler, prison, accountants, and actors ("Kill all ze actors!"). Since the movie is a satire, only kids old enough to recognize the movie's tongue in cheek references should see it.
What's the story?
THE PRODUCERS begins and ends with an odd couple, cynical Broadway producer/old ladies lothario Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and accountant/aspiring producer Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) in conjuring a surefire plan for profits: they will produce the worst show ever, collect lots of financing, and close it opening night. Written by and starring Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell), "Springtime for Hitler" means to set the record straight on Der Führer. Or maybe not quite. When Liebkind breaks a leg on opening night, flaming director Roger De Bris (Gary Beach) steps in, and the show's a stupendous hit and the producers are ruined.
Is it any good?
Broad and blustery, the film version of Mel Brooks' musical, (not to be confused with the non-musical film on which the musical is based) is too long and too strained to be much fun. It's a big fat sardonic musical which demands grandeur, gaucheness, and above all, giddy delights. Director/choreographer Susan Stroman's Producers delivers these elements in seeming bulk, with gigantic gestures and broad blocking left over from the stage production.
The most romantic moment in the film is Leo's testimony at Max's trial. This love ballad reveals Broderick's lovely voice and sets the ground for the closing scene in prison. Here the boys are putting on another scam show, now having found their ideal milieu, not to mention a captive audience with terrible taste in set design. It's almost too bad that they are pardoned, for bringing "joy and laughter into the hearts of every murderer, rapist, and sex maniac in Sing Sing." That's something.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the nature of satire. How does the movie make humor out of crooks, Nazis and sex with old ladies? How can it get away with jokes based on homosexual and heterosexual stereotyping?
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AGE
Funny but Inappropriate
The Producers was a funny and silly movie, and I guess I could say that I liked it overall. But it was uncomfortable to sit through at times, because the humor was naughty and gross. There wasn't much language but the sexuality was extreme at times. Only for teens 15 or 14 and older.
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AGE
Very innapropriate for kids, boring to most teens
This was a very funny musical, based on the 1968 version by the same director (comic genius Mel Brooks), and made even better as a musical than a straight movie. There's a lot of sexual innuendo (Max Bialistock with his old ladies and Roger DeBris's comments "It's, dare I say it, S&M!" come readily to mind), but that's the only touchy thing about this movie. All the references to Hitler and his glorification are meant in satire, which ensues the failure of the scheme of Max and Leo.
Most teenagers my age may not appreciate the humor and entertainment in this movie, but if you're a fan of Mel Brooks or musicals, you'd like this.
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AGE
OK... I need to explain my ratings.
OK. I personally thought this is one of the best freaking movies of the year. But, some of the content is iffy, which is why it's great. It's perverted, twisted, and completely wonderful. Nathan Lane is really good as Max Bialystock, but Matthew Broderick is FANTASTIC as Leo Bloom. (Think of the blanket scene!) There is some cussing, lots of sexual references, but it's all very Monty Python-ish. Also, Leo and Max both like Ulla, so they have some stuff on that. ("For once, I'd like to have someone on that couch under 85.") Then she ends up with Leo. But there is a happy ending, and lots of cameos.
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AGE
Better If You See It Live
I saw the musical presented by a local college theater company and fell in love with it, so I got this movie and the non-musical original movie on which the musical is based. Like most musical-to-movie adaptations, it's a lot better if you see the musical live. This movie is pretty lengthy and can feel drawn-out. When you see it live, it feels a lot faster paced. This movie is absolutely hilarious, but not for young kids. It's kind of iffy for age 12, but I think kids 13 and up should be able to handle it (seeing as I saw it at age 13, and for the record am 14 now, despite the fact that my profile says I'm 17. I just made up a random age when I signed up for here).
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AGE
A very funny movie
I find it sad that this is one of the only sites in which this movie isn't underrated with a majority of the reviews, also, here's a quick message to one of the adults who reviewed this: Don't review a movie until you've seen it.
Anyway, this movie is hilarious! It has lots of jokes that shouldn't be exposed to kids unless they can handle sexual jokes, but overall a great movie. It's always funny and you just can't stop laughing once you start watching.
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AGE
I want to be a Producer
This movie was really funny and had some extreamly good singing mostly in the Springtime for Hitler song from John Barrowman,my broadway idol,and throughout the movie energy and fun where in high supply. The content was a bit iffy but if you're 14 or over it should be just fine.
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AGE
I Love World War 2 Movies!
I want to see this movie! It sound great!
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AGE
Mel Brooks on Broadway!!!
My best friend bought me this movie for my birthday and I'm glad that he did. It's funny and just a spectacular phenomenon. Probably one of the best movie-musicals ever made. Some references to sex, gay characters, and brief language but it's Mel Brooks so don't act suprised! Could have gotten away with a PG rating but still perverted in a Mel Brooks way.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Susan Stroman |
| Cast: | Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 134 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 16, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | May 16, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual humor and references. |
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