 | 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. |
Starsky & Hutch
- Review Date: July 18, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Silly, but lots of fun for older teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has very explicit sexual situations and references for a PG-13, including "comic" gay overtones, a threesome (with girls kissing each other), and the swapping of mild sexual favors for information from an informant. A character accidentally ingests cocaine, and his strung-out meltdown is played for humor. Other characters drink and use cocaine (off-camera) and the plot centers on a huge cocaine deal. Characters are in peril. One is killed and a child is injured. There's some strong language, including racial epithets. A strength of the movie is the way that diverse characters work together. Some audience members may be offended by the fact that the villain is Jewish.
What's the story?
In this refresh of the classic 1970s TV show, Ben Stiller plays Starsky, the play-by-the-rules cop who takes everything very seriously. He has to try to live up to the standard set by his policewoman mother, but he acts as though he's following a script. He's teamed up with Hutch (Owen Wilson), the take-it-easy cop whose casual attitude makes him popular with everyone from pretty cheerleaders to cute neighborhood kids to slightly shady informants (including rapper Snoop Dog, the essence of real-life cool as Huggy Bear). At first they do not get along, then they develop grudging respect for each other, and then affection and true partnership. A murder leads to the pair investigating a businessman (Vince Vaughn) who may have something to do with a cocaine operation. S&H go undercover in Easy Rider drag as "Kansas" and "Toto" (you'll get that if you remember the 1970's) to question the owner of a biker bar. They interrogate a cheerleader (and are struck speechless when she takes her clothes off). There's a hilarious disco dance-off. Someone actually says "Sit on it." And the original Starsky and Hutch show up for a funny cameo.
Is it any good?
Movies based on TV shows are tricky, but STARSKY & HUTCH gets it right. Cynical observers used to wonder whether the warm friendship between Starsky and Hutch was really deeper than 1970's television could contemplate. This movie tweaks the idea a little, with the pair stumbling cluelessly through some mildly suggestive situations that feel like a part of its retro vibe. Vince Vaughn brings his edgy silkiness to the role of the bad guy, a high class drug dealer. Will Ferrell contributes a funny cameo as a prisoner.
But the movie is all about the chemistry between Stiller and Wilson, who bring out the best in each other. Starsky narrows his eyes intensely as he looks down at a dead body. "You've punched your last ticket, amigo." Hutch peers over at him. "Are you trying to tough talk a dead guy?" After that, it's just ringing changes on the most appallingly cheesy aspects of that cheesiest of decades. The soundtrack features "Afternoon Delight," "I Can't Smile Without You," and the hit song by original Hutch David Soul -- "Don't Give Up on Us, Baby." The clothes are one hilarious "what were we thinking" after another. It's silly, but it's a lot of fun.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what made Starsky and Hutch change their minds about each other. Why is it good to have friends who are not just like us? What does it mean to say "To err is human, to forgive divine?" (By the way, contrary to the two mis-attributions in the film, that was said by Alexander Pope.)
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Worth it
A good movie that features drugs from the first 5 words to the last 7 but cuts down in the middle, but of course that's when it is accidently used. Language not terrible but if you're overprotective, remember you got to let go sometime.T he movie was weak in values but gosh it's based off a old old show. The movie had no nudity, sexual content was minor but still kinda bad for little kids. In action, kinda so so but the comedy was great. There you go, that's all, but give it a shot.
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Ben and Owen always a great comedy!
Starsky(Ben Stiller) and Hutch (Owen Wilson)is a cop team that need to cracka huge case in order to keep thier jobs. Soon they find a dead body in the water. They know that this is thier only chance to redeem thier jobs. So they question a man (vince Vaughn) about it and soon find themself in a bigger case than before. This guy is a drug dealer. Selling pounds and pounds of cocain. So it all up to Starsky and Hutch to get this Drug Dealer in jail.
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
STARSKY & HUTCH, How is it PG-13?
The film STARSKY & HUTCH is very likeable, even though filled with obvious cliches. I personally don't see this being PG-13 at all. There is lots of violence, strong sexuality, and drug use. Ben and Owen's chemistry is great and Snoop steals the show but no PG-13 here.My Rating: R
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Teen, 13 years old
September 10, 2010
AGE
teens of all ages!!
i am a die-hard an of Owen Wilson!!! i love him!!! love love love....and Ben Stiller is a comic!! great movie for just some laughs and very comedic and hillarious!! i have to give it a hundred thumbs up up up!!!
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Teen, 14 years old
April 10, 2010
AGE
Iffy for ages 11-13
Funny ass movie!
I loved this film great fun for tweenagers and up. There is one f-word and and two girls make out which is why the kiddies can't watch this. But if your 11 or over this movie is definately for you.
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Parent of 13 year old
August 17, 2010
AGE
great but at High PG-13 level.
has it all,sexual references,violence,language and drugs,but still great.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 26, 2010
AGE
a bit mature for a PG-13
NOT FOR KIDS
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Teen, 13 years old
September 20, 2011
AGE
Hilarious movie with a little to much drug content
Starsky and Hutch is one of my favorite comedies. It contains sexual content, language, a little nudity, drug content, and violence. Violence: PG Language: PG-13
Sexual Content: PG-13 Drugs: an iffy PG-13 Expect many funny scenes for your teens to enjoy. There is one homosexual scene which should be evoided for younger kids. This movie is top notch!! 4 STARS!!
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Teen, 15 years old
December 13, 2011
AGE
awesome
best comedy in 2004!!!
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Teen, 15 years old
March 9, 2012
AGE
Starsky and hutch is really good
This is a really great and funny movie i enjoy it a lot
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Todd Phillips |
| Cast: | Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Snoop Dogg |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 5, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | July 20, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | drug content, sexual situations, partial nudity, language and some violence |
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