 | 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. |
Tower Heist
- Review Date: November 4, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Brisk, fun heist movie has some language, sex talk.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this Ben Stiller/Eddie Murphy comedy appears to have been inspired by Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, it's not heavy-handed and is likely to appeal to teens who are fans of either of the stars or director Brett Ratner's action movies. Expect plenty of high-octane scenes -- car chases, a Ferrari dangling from 50 stories high, etc. -- as well as a fair amount of swearing (particularly "s--t"), product placement, and sexual innuendoes/references to sex. The characters' scheme is a crime, but they're presented as Robin Hood-esque in their motivations.
What's the story?
Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) is the most important of all the important residents of the Tower, a posh Manhattan residential high-rise run by building manager Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller). They don't have very much in common, except perhaps a love of online chess. But Shaw, in what first appeared to be a magnanimous act, agreed to manage the staff's pensions; it seemed like a good thing, since he's a stock-market whisperer of sorts who's able to eke out dividends when no one else can. But when Shaw is accused of fraud, Kovacs realizes that he and everyone else might have been duped, their money gone forever. How can they get it back? Can justice be served? And will Kovacs' burgeoning interest in FBI agent Claire Denham (Tea Leoni), who's guarding Shaw, complicate matters?
Is it any good?
If you're seeking escape, you'll get it from TOWER HEIST. Not an escape from the news, exactly, since the movie's main storyline -- an obscenely wealthy money manager is arrested for defrauding his clients, who include the staff at his tony NYC residential building -- seems ripped from the Bernie Madoff headlines. Nor from the usual cliches of action movies. But the film is certainly entertaining enough to be an escape from daily life. Co-stars Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, and the rest of the gang have perfect chemistry -- essential in a movie that's positing them as a band of brothers of sorts.
Nevertheless, you have to ask: Why does Broderick only get shlubby roles these days? And does anyone care about the plot, which isn't exactly bulletproof? (There are plenty of inconsistencies, and a romance between two main characters is predictable and doesn't really add anything to the proceedings.) Be that as it may, the film is still a delight. Watching the crime itself unfold in what may be one of the most hectic days in the city -- in the middle of the Thanksgiving Day parade -- gives it added oomph. Tower Heist has chutzpah, and the action builds satisfyingly, and that's more than can be said about so many other, momentum-less movies.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the characters' motivations. Are they justified in wanting to get revenge? Is it ever justifiable to commit a crime to right a wrong?
Does the movie seem skewed toward the perpetrators? Why? And should it be? Would you have as much sympathy for the characters if they were real-life people?
How does the movie address class and race? Does it undermine stereotypes or reinforce them? Are the characters a realistic depiction of life in New York?
Do you think people who commit Ponzi schemes start off expecting to defraud people, or do you think they accidentally end up in that situation when they take a big risk that fails? How should the legal system punish criminals who steal people's life savings?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
G-R-E-A-T
took my twins and 3 sons and daughter to see this (typical homeschool family am i right) and they loveddddd it! All are under 10 and loved it!
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AGE
Think twice before bringing the kids...
The language was horrible. I was shrinking in my seat with my 10 year old next to me. My ten year old is very mature but there were so many inappropriate scenes I was happy when he needed to use the restroom in the middle of the movie. There is also many sexual references including the mention of lesbians at least 6 times in a row during the characters dialogue. I really would have enjoyed this movie much more if I would have come without the kids. My 10 year old even asked why they had to swear so much.. it did not add to the movie at all.
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AGE
Inuendo and language is too much for children, even 12 years old.
I was on the fence about taking my 12 yr old daughter to see this and in the end, I did not take her. I'm very glad that I didn't, because the sexual inuendo and language was over the top. Just didn't add to the humour of the movie. Eddie was average. There were scenes that dragged on a little too long. I would suggest waiting until it comes out on dvd or it shows up on cable.
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AGE
Foul Language is OVER KILL
We took our 9 and 10 year old to see this. We tend not to shelter our kids as they can watch stuff without repeating, etc., but the language was a little too much. The movie was funny and full of action...it did not need the graphic language. We don't mind the foul words every now and then, but some of it went too far and was uncomfortable (talk about Lesbians, body parts, and other sexual innuendos). A little something thrown in every now and then is funny, but this was over kill. By the way, my 9 year old daughter thought the movie was boring (she's not into action flicks and doesn't really think potty words are funny) and my 10 year son thought it was awesome (he thinks potty words are funny and loves action and comedy). If young enough to let sexual comments/foul language go over their head, I can see the movie being funny to them. However, once they know what those words mean, that's when it gets tricky.
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AGE
Breezy little heist film is fine for teens, but a bit too crude for tween's
Tower Heist is a fun start to the winter movie season, which of course as we all no perfectly well, starts with the first Friday of November and ends with the last Friday of December, so it has begun. Although, I honestly keep thinking that if it wasn't for the fact that director Brett Ratner casted Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in the movie, I don't think very many people would have wanted to see it, because of just a plain old serious heist movie, it is also a screwball comedy as well, which makes things work decently. But, as breezy as it is, it is still Rated PG-13 for a reason, which is most because of: frequent profanity including sh-t, g-dd-mn, h-ll, banging, n-gg-er, pr-ck, b-tch and d-ck. Also, probably the most important part of why it was Rated PG-13: There is some occasional crude sexual humor and jokes which actually do get a little graphic, and also one scene that depicts the cover of a playboy magazine with breasts and nipples clearly visible, which, again, is fairly graphic. Well, that's all, but if you are a big fan of Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, the rest of the talented cast, or just plain heist movies in general, you should probably have a good time at it.
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AGE
Fun Robin Hood Heist for High Schoolers and Up
This movie was very entertaining--well casted and well acted--but I don't think children under 14 should be exposed to jokes about lesbian sex, balls, poles, bitches, etc., etc.
(I wanted to take my 17-year-old and I'm sorry he missed it, but I'm glad I left my 12-year-old at home)
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Kid, 12 years old
November 11, 2011
AGE
Great Movie!
I BARELY even noticed the Language! BTW, my DAD is in the movie! He's the one always with Tea Leoni, with the black hair.
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AGE
All right. Not what I expected from a four star review. Gosh.
My rating: PG-13 for frequent language, some sexual references and recklessly violent action.
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AGE
Its a good movie
I just saw this movie a few minutes ago and I loved it! It has a few innaproprate things but without them it wouldnt be as entertaining. Any kid over the age of 0 would like it but it is probably most appropriat for 11 and up.
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AGE
Use the rating as your first guide
Part of what is wrong with society today is that parents bring 10 year olds to PG-13 movies. I brought my 13 and 15 year old and would not want them to see it any younger. It is hard to find good movies for kids/teenagers, but don't push it too soon. What is left for them when they are older? "R" movies when they are 13. Maybe alcohol and cigarettes when they are 16. Overall good movies for at a minimum 13. Discuss the language and sexual references with your kids.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Brett Ratner |
| Cast: | Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Eddie Murphy |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 4, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | February 21, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language and sexual content |
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