 | 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. |
Young Frankenstein
- Review Date: October 16, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1974
Common Sense Media says
Brooks' corniness yields plenty of belly laughs.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids will hear a lot of bawdy humor and sexual innuendo, including a scene at the end that suggests Madeline Kahn's character has slept with the monster. Frederick says "What great knockers" to Teri Garr's character, supposedly referring to the door's knockers.
What's the story?
After denouncing his grandfather's work as "doo doo," Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) receives word that he's inherited his famous ancestor's Transylvanian castle. There, with the help of his lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr) and pop-eyed hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), he discovers a secret library containing his grandfather Victor's notes on how to bring the dead to life. The temptation is too great to pass up. In the renowned Frankenstein laboratory, young Frederick creates his own monster (Peter Boyle) and harnesses the power of an electrical storm to bring him to life.
Is it any good?
Mel Brooks fans will rejoice at the re-release of one of his funniest films. Sure the gags are lame, and the script is almost infantile, but if you thought YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN was funny in 1974, you're just as likely to get a kick out of it today. There's an unembarrassed corniness about the movie that generates plenty of belly laughs. The monster's "Puttin' on the Ritz" number will even squeeze smiles out of those not inclined towards Brooks' brand of humor.
The vaguely smutty jokes and sight gags will go over well with the teen crowd, but the comic talents at work here will appeal to all ages. Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, and Gene Hackman comprise a comedy's dream cast. Peter Boyle brings an unexpected touch of dignity to the monster, and Gene Wilder is as charming and manic as he was in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about parody. Is this film seemingly patterned after old horror films? How does it differ? Beneath the obvious ridiculing of old horror films, do you detect any sort of fondness for the genre?
Why was the monster originally rejected by the town's people?
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AGE
gene wilder... what a classic!
this in a hilarious fillm with a laugh a minute! suitable for all ages but younger kids might not get some of the humor. Gene wilder makes this film!
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AGE
Considering the raunchy humor in this film, I'm shocked at the number of people who think this is a family film. If you don't let your kids watch "Desperate Housewives", they shouldn't be watching this movie either. Aside from the raunchy humor, this movie is well-written and is filled with many witty moments and surprises. The acting is brilliant and the old-fashioned feel to it reminds me of "Pushing Daisies". All in all, I highly recommend "Young Frankenstein" for teens.
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AGE
Best treatment ever of The Battle Hymn of the Republic
This is another one not to take too seriously. This is Mel Brooks' very best, and there is not one off performance in this entire movie. Most of the humor is in the tiny gestures and facial expressions the cast is so good at, and the broad humor - like the sexual inneuendo - is so slapstick and silly that even the blusher in my family thinks it's hilarious. Hardly a week goes by without a reference to this movie in our household. It breaks my heart that so much of this cast is gone now. On my darkest days just the thought of Madeline Kahn singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic cracks me up.
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AGE
Very funny movie! Teenagers today might find it mundane, but children will love the silly characters!
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AGE
Hilarious
"Young Frankenstein" is hilarious and a must-see for 12+.
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AGE
Very Surprised!
I know I saw this movie years ago when I was a teenager but I didn't recall this much sex being thrown around. I was looking forward to watching an old funny movie.
I was very surprised and disapoointed. The review I checked on was "soft" in it's descriptions. Even if it is done in play it is still too much. Madaline howls like a dog when it shows her looking down at his private parts as he is undoing his pants and then lays down on her and she sings out in joy. Then it shortly shows the two of them smoking, apparntly having had sex and then going at it again for the 7th time!? There is more of this through out the movie, too much and it just spoils it. It's just not a movie that a family would enjoy.
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AGE
I love this movie... it's a movie that basically makes fun of horror movies. It's hardly scary for anyone about 8 and up, and it's a movie to get everyone laughing.
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AGE
Gene Wilder is brilliant!
This movie is HILARIOUS!! It mocks horror movies, but is not scary at all. The monster is friendly and lovable, and there are so many funny bits, like the horses freaking out when Frau Blucher is said, the "Don't put the candle back" scene, and the "HE WAS MY BOYFRIEND" part. This is not a great movie for young kids, because though it is not scary, they would not understand the jokes, and wouldn't think it was very funny. I would say that anyone over the age of 9 would understand enough of the jokes to like it. It's a fantastic movie, and anyone who can read this should see this movie.
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AGE
FRONKOONSTEIN
Hi I think that this movie is great ! It is pretty funny and I love the ... spoofiness alright thats not a word but WHO CARES ? Keep your mouth shut alright ? THANX ! Um, and I'd also like to recommend a REALLY funny movie : Robin Hood Men In Tights.
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| Topics: | misfits and underdogs, monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Mel Brooks |
| Cast: | Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 15, 1974 |
| DVD release date: | September 5, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | parental guidance suggested |
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