Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (R, 2006)

common sense media says

Yup, it's Jack Black -- with an "R" ... really.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that despite star Jack Black's huge popularity with kids, this raucous, profane comedy is for very mature teens and adults only (as those familiar with Black's cult band, Tenacious D, will already know). It absolutely earns its R rating for pervasive language, sexual content, and drug use. There are pot, bongs, and mushrooms; the characters show a particular fondness for the word "c--k"; crude humor centers on flatulence and other bodily functions; and the ample sexual content includes a graphic depiction of the skill that doing "c--k push-ups" develops.

Positive messages: Slacker behavior is glorified. A character raised in a conservative home gets into drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll. Characters break into a museum to steal a music icon. Musical showdown with the devil. Plenty of crude humor. All in all, the movie is aimed at an adult Beavis and Butt-head crowd -- if there's any message, it's to be true to yourself and not let people stand in your way.
Violence: Characters have a run-in with a gang, a character gets martial arts training, wild car chase.
Sex: Graphic depiction of the skill that doing gential push-ups develops. Sexual references throughout, including lyrics such as "gargling mayonnaise" (they're not really talking about mayonnaise).
Language: "C--k" (constantly), "f--k," "s--t," "ass," etc. Frequent and explicit.
Consumerism: Guitars, beer.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Pot, bongs, mushrooms, and other drugs throughout. There's a hallucinagenic sequence after eating organic mushrooms.

More on Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about this side of Jack Black, which many kids (and adults) may not have known existed. Which "version" of the star do you think is more like his actual personality -- the hyper-yet-good-hearted guy he plays in movies like School of Rock and Nacho Libre, or the foul-mouthed, genitals-obsessed "hero" of this film? Do you think the studio made it clear how mature the content of this movie was? Why would they try to hide that fact? Families can also discuss all of the bad behavior on display in the movie (drugs, drinking, breaking and entering, stealing, etc.). Why is it funny to see this stuff in a movie when it's dangerous in real life?

What's the story?

What's the story?
JB (Jack Black), a young hayseed from the Midwest who shocks his conservative parents with his rock music. Banished to his room, JB gets a sign telling him to go to California to become a rock god. In Venice Beach, he meets slacker and guitar virtuoso KG (Kyle Gass). The two become friends, get stoned together, and decide they need to become "the world's greatest rock band." No easy feat, especially when the rent's due. So they plot to steal what might be the answer to their prayers -- a magical guitar pick that's on display in a rock museum 300 miles away. Road trip! On their journey, the friends encounter magical worlds, strange creatures, and even the devil himself. Will they become the band that single-handedly changes the course of rock 'n' roll history? One thing's for sure. These two righteous dudes have a lot of gross, raucous "fun" trying.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
TENACIOUS D: THE PICK OF DESTINY is like School of Rock on steroids. It's no-holds-barred raunchy and crude. Black and Gass may be pretty good musicians (in fact, the musical sequences are the best part of the movie), but their brand of humor demands that you leave any sense of tact or dignity at the theater door.

Die-hard fans of Black's band will be happy to know the movie features new songs, along with some mind-bending cameos by the likes of Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, and Colin Hanks. Really, it's too bad Black and Gass didn't ditch the buddy-movie-road-trip theme and just go with a straight rock opera from start to finish -- if they had, this movie would have rocked even more. If you must watch this on DVD, wait until the kids go to bed.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Liam Lynch
Cast: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Tim Robbins
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: November 21, 2006
DVD release: February 27, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: pervasive language, sexual content and drug use.
Watch our review

This review was written by Jane Boursaw
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

alpha dragon
parent of 17 year old
 
how it inspired me
i luv it inspired me 2 become a rock player like thy play metal and dat inspired me 2 want 2 play guitar im saving up money 2 buy a guitar i luv metal if u guys luv metal thn keep listning 2 it who cares wat ppl think if ur weird well screw thm metal da bomb keep on listning kids peace

I_TellTheTruth
teen, 17 years old
 
16+
LOTS of swearing. And they show Jack's penis in one scene ... it's still inside his underpants, but he has an erection and the shape is quite graphic.

Edco2010
teen, 14 years old
 
Tenac
Good movie, 116 F word and other swears. Smoking and JB has to learn how to do "push-ups" in one scene.

HTFMime
teen, 16 years old
 
I actually liked this band when I was in middle school.
When I was in middle school I liked this band but I never saw the movie though because my parents would not let me see it back then.

good parent74
parent of 10 year old
 
awsome movie!
Iv'e seen alot funny movies, but this. is halarious!!!!!!!!! trust me, your kids would love it. but I suggest 10+ because it does have a little sexual content. But no sex.

خر
kid, 1 year old
 
no, R is for 17 and over!
i don't like R rated movies, please don't make R rated MOVIES for 16 or any younger, it's bothering me thinking RATED R is for ages 11 (amadeus), 12 (child's play), 13, 14, 15 or 16+ movie. rated R is fine for 17 or 18+.

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
Big laughs
Very stupid movie, but if you have nothing to do catch it on TV because it will rock YOUR SOCKS OFF! This film can't really be described in a lot of words...you'll just have to see it. TEENS ONLY.

tvgirl
adult
 
Hilarious Buddy Movie
Okay, this movie is really funny. That being said, it clearly is primarily directed toward teenage guys aged 16+ without question. Constant pervasive swearing throughout along with rock music, Jack Black, and sophmoric humor. It's intended for teenage guys without a doubt. It is really funny and worth at least renting once. The F-word is said 100+ times along with sexual slang and explicit sexual references in song lyrics such as "gargling mayonnaise" and a physically impossible exercise called "c--k pushups" in which a male lifts himself off the ground with his erection (later we see graphically what this talent can do to somebody's penis). Also, it is implied that the characters a stoners (we see them after smoking pot, right before smoking pot, and preparing to smoke pot). But when all seen together in the movie, the juvinile humor is actually hilarious and the film as a whole is a light buddy comedy. See it. Watch it. Enjoy it.

bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
 
Very Funny
Lots of swearing. some very explicit sexual humor

watermelon888
teen, 15 years old
 
good for all ages
love it

Plague
parent
 
Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny
Pretty funny. Im not Back Black's biggest fan, but this movie made me laugh quite a lot. Impressive.

critic07
kid, 12 years old
 
tenacious d review by critic07
Really funny, a comic gem that d fans and comedy fans will love. i mean it!

IronZombie75
teen, 16 years old
 
For teens and older
Loved it but has ALOT OF LANGUAGE. also has sexual humor and shows jack black pushing a button with his c--k.

rykrap
teen, 14 years old
 
well...
Let me tell you I saw this movie edited and it was only like an hour and five minutes. So I would not suggest this movie to kids under 17.

KennyMcCormick
teen, 13 years old
 
For mature people.
Really funny! but if you don't like swearing don't watch, 115 f words, lots of s words and c*cks. Mature 12 year olds can watch.

 
There's swearing, drug use and some sexual dialogue. It's not the worst R-rated movie ever, though parents may be offended by it.

 
I love this movie. There is extreme language though. Ment for older teens. Want a fdunny movie then you have found It with this. Awsome movie but not for kids.

crippldbutalive
teen, 15 years old
 
This is one of those movies where you liked it but you didn't like it. It was OK in my opinion. I wish they could have taken out with Language and the Pervasive talk, so it would be appropriate for kids. This movie and his band TOTALLY ruins Jack Black's reputation with kids.

bobsquad
teen, 16 years old
 
tenacious d is kickass
it doesnt matter if it was sexual or what ever, it was halarious. and none of those things concern me i dont know why it would. Dont hate on jack black he's one of the best actors. and tenacious d was one of his bests movies. and booklovemovie your an idiot, dont rate it if u havent seen it

JWilliams303
teen, 17 years old
 
Just like the south park movie, it cusses throughout
really funny movie, but they like to say F*** and C**k a lot. Not a whole lot of sexual stuff, just humor

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