Wild Hogs (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

Disneyfied Easy Rider for the suburban set.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this comedy adventure isn't as kid-friendly as the previews suggest. The four middle-aged friends who set out on the central road trip use plenty of adult expletives, and the genuine biker gang they butt heads with is full of slapsticky violent, tattoo-covered hog riders out to punish the "suburban a--holes" posing as bikers. And then there are all homophobic jokes and double entendres -- not to mention the scatological possibilities of four men taking on the great outdoors. Be prepared for a lot of gay, poop, and pee jokes.

Positive messages: True friends stick together, even when it means getting whupped by a gang of hardcore bikers. Lots of scatological humor (the guys pee on the side of the road, biker says "We drink piss," Macy carries his poop around in a plastic bag).

Violence: Ray Liotta's biker gang and the four Wild Hogs have a climactic fistfight, but despite the nonstop punching and kicking, no one ends up too bloody. Martin Lawrence knees two bikers in the groin and squirts condiments all over their face. Liotta regularly punches, pushes, and slaps his underlings.

Sex: The friends skinny dip, and viewers see William H. Macy's bare buttocks. A gay highway patrolman joins the guys and shows off his naked butt. Macy and Marisa Tomei share a couple of passionate kisses. Several homophobic comments: "If any of my gay friends look at my junk, I'll kill them," "Does anyone else get a pre-rape feeling?," "I'm going to put your balls in my mouth and chew on them," etc.

Language: Surprisingly frequent cursing, especially from John Travolta's character, including words like "bitch," "s--t," "p---y," "a--hole," etc.

Consumerism: Several bikers ride Orange County Choppers, and founder Paul Teutel Sr. even cameos.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The Wild Hogs drink beer at various bars and diners throughout their road trip; Tim Allen's character discusses how often he was high in his college days.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about what the four friends learned about themselves and each other on their road trip. Why was the trip so important to Woody? How was Woody misleading his pals? Why didn't Doug's son consider him cool until the end of the movie? Why was Bobby afraid of his wife? How did Dudley act bravely despite his geeky personality? Ask kids to explain how the guys proved their friendship to each other. What other movies does this one remind you of? What's the appeal of "road trip movies"?

What's the story?

John Travolta leads the pack as Woody, a man his friends think has it all: money, looks, and a supermodel wife. But he's actually broke and about to get divorced. Desperate for a last-ditch way to rekindle better times, Woody convinces his motorcycle pals -- henpecked husband Bobby (Martin Lawrence), bored dentist Doug (Tim Allen), and computer-geek bachelor Dudley (William H. Macy) -- to take a road trip. Along the way, the guys do plenty of middle-aged male bonding.

Is it any good?

The four stars of WILD HOGS are all talented comedic actors, which is why it's disappointing -- if not surprising -- that this buddy flick isn't funnier. If you decide to join the fellas on their trip, stick around for a surprise treat at the end -- one that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fans will especially appreciate. It's one of the funniest moments in the movie; too bad it came so late.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Walt Becker
Cast: John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, Tim Allen
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: March 1, 2007
DVD release: August 14, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: crude and sexual content, and some violence.

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

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4Spice
adult

good movie 12 and over

very good movie 12 and over

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Wild Hogs (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Wild Hogs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Review It

Review Wild Hogs

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

good movie 12 and over

Great humor!!

A VERY GOOD MOVIE

Funny, but could be better

I watched this with my dad when I was a young ten...

funny!!!

good for teens

it's cool

Funny Funny Funny

Language Pushes the Envelope

a great clean funny movie

Pretty funny

I laughed

Funny!

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