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Step Brothers

(2008, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Will Ferrell, Richard Jenkins, John C. Reilly)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Foul-mouthed Ferrell comedy isn't very funny.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The film attempts to convey some messages about the importance of family and being who you are, but they're definitely secondary to all of the crude jokes. Two characters dress in Nazi and Ku Klux Klan uniforms to scare prospective home buyers away from a property. A supporting character commits adultery. A rap song notes that when out of gas, one should "call the A-rabs."
  • Violence:

    Wrestling, scuffling, and tussling; a character knocks another character out; characters are hurled down stairs; a character strikes another in the head with a shovel; two adults fight a playground full of younger children. Children bully grown-up characters into licking dog droppings. Characters watch an action-packed movie.
  • Sex:

    Underwear-clad making out; kissing; upright, clothed comedic sex in a bathroom; implied masturbation; pornography is glimpsed and referenced; a character drapes his testicles (visible on-screen) on another character's property; constant sexual references.
  • Language:

    Constant, crude, and rude language including (but not limited to) "f--k," "s--t," "balls," "nutsack," "horses--t," "motherf---er," "p---y," "wiener," "chest pubes," "ball 'fro," "big joint," "man-gina," "sucks ass," "bang," "retard," "whore," "gay," "butthole," "dogs--t," "vagina," "douche," "penis," "butt buddy," "fart," "hos," and "faggot."
  • Consumerism:

    Extensive mention and onscreen presence of lots of brands and TV shows and movies, including Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Heinz ketchup, Converse sneakers, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Belkin movers, Pet Smart, Outback Steak House, Hustler Magazine, The Cheesecake Factory, Hulk Hands toys, Sony Vaio, Doritos, Good Housekeeping, The Outsiders, Scarface, Good Will Hunting, Rock of Love, The Apprentice, Star Wars, Guitar Hero, "Shark Week," American Idol, and more.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters refer to "smoking pot" and "smoking a jay" characters drink hard alcohol to excess; characters drink wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Step Brothers

Parents need to know that this is a far raunchier comedy than the last collaboration between stars Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and director Adam McKay, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and much more explicit in how it stoops for laughs. It's loaded with crude, rude, sexual, and obscene language and situations, including visible male genitalia and glimpses of porn and a vocabulary that ranges from "p---y" to "f--k" and everywhere in between. There's also lots of product placement, and the film's half-hearted messages and morals -- about family, being who you are, and accepting people -- are drowned out by its loud, boisterous vulgarity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Will Ferrell's appeal. What makes something a "Will Ferrell comedy"? What age group do you think movies like this one are aimed at?Families can also discuss the movie's essential question: When should children leave home? When does parental protection become more a burden than a shield? What challenges do real blended families face? What fuels sibling rivalry in real life? Also, is it ever worth sacrificing your individuality and passion in order to get ahead?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this movie is

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See all 32 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    So funny

    FUNNY!!! Great movie for teenagers but not for kids under 12.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Pretty good. Stupid in some parts, though.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Wow

    This movie was insanely hilarious, Not for kids who repeat every word they hear. but if you understand not to say those things, you gotta see this.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Really funny

    I think commonsense just has a problem with movies that are funny in a bad way. Just because they say F--k every 2 seconds does not make this a bad movie. it actually is insanely funny, and even though the ending is so stupid and pointless there actually is a meaning buried under it. Overall though this is a hilarious movie that had me lauging almost nonstop

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    this movie is great. the only thing that is wrong is that it just has two parts of sexual content. and bad language throught.

  7. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    thirteen and up

    awesome movie. if your fifteen i guarentee you know what everything means so its fine

  8. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    funnny movie

    Good movie. It has some really funny moments though. The movie does have some strong language, and sexual material. This is funny movie and worth checking out for sure.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    funny

    funny! thats all i have to say

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title off for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Embarassing to watch with the parents

    Well, I watched this movie by myself. Very inappropriate. Some things they say can be funny but turn out wrong the same time. Overall, kind of good.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 3.0

    Never wake a sleepwalker.

    This movie is stupid and I love it.These two are great together and I loved there reunion so stupid and random but very funny.

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Pathetic.

    Pretty stupid. A little funny. These people aren't comedians. They're a-holes.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    Me and my son (Greff) watch this film once a month. What can I say! It's great for laughs and more and laughs. I'd give this movie six thumbs up if I were an alien creature that was a member of the intergalactic wizard counsel! Props to Will Herrel for his wonderful improve and I also like the other one. My son always says "I ? Shark Week!". This is a great family movie about love and lust and redemption and betrayal and family. 10 out f 10!

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    ALmost cried so funny!!!

    One of my favorite comedies, really good, funniest movie from summer '08

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Umm G-R-E-A-T!

    LOADS of cons but a great movie overall!

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    step brothers review by critic07

    This was a hillarious film that made me crack up when will ferrell showed his nuts. It looked so fake. But when you see it, love it!

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    BEST COMEDY EVER!!!!!!!!

    I think this is Will Ferell and John C. Reilly's best movie and personly i think that this is the Best Comedy Ever!!! and it is my 3rd most fav. movie.

  19. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    Stepbrothers

    I watched this movie with two other adults. After 20 mins of vulgarity and porn (and especially after viewing Ferrell's genatalia), we shut it off. We should have stopped it after 10 mins, but we hoped it would get better. Will's a funny guy . . . but why does he stoop to such garbage?

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0

    good

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