Grown Ups

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Grown Ups Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Friendship comedy is too crude for younger kids.

PG-13 2010 102 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 53 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 207 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that although this Adam Sandler/David Spade/Chris Rock comedy about old friends reuniting after a tragedy has lots of heart, that doesn't make up for the crude and repetitive jokes. And while the trailer might have you thinking the humor is all about kids and families, there's a lot of racy "guy" stuff here: Male buttocks are shown, and there are plenty of sexual innuendoes/references and instances of men ogling women. One character is depicted as a booze-loving lush, and though the main characters are ostensibly good friends, they're not particularly kind to one another (their kids also behave rudely, expecting to be waited on hand and foot and maligning anything that's not fancy or technologically advanced). Language includes "s--t" and "ass."

Community Reviews

mimi1025
mimi1025 Adult
November 15, 2021
age 14+

Disappointed

All in all the story reveals a sweet lesson at the end. Time with family and friends without phones & gaming devices can be a great experience and more fun than you can imagine. However,, the sexual content was way too much. These actors are awesome comedians and would've been even funnier without it. I watched this with my grandkids ages 11 and 14. A lot of times they would cringe at parts that were truly unnecessary. We all decided it wasn't that great of a movie and were disappointed in knowing that it could've been.
iifreyja3
iifreyja3 Adult
January 28, 2020
age 12+

Very Good Movie

Very disappointing to see so many parents acting as if the title of the movie wasn't "Grown Ups". I even saw a parent mentioning how there was bad parenting. Yes, genius. That's the point of the movie. It is a hilarious movie that I watched when I was younger, and the more adult innuendos obviously went right over my head. Overall, it's about bonding as a crazy family and group of friends despite recurrent failures, but with slightly inappropriate gag humor.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 53 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When he gets word that his former basketball coach has heard the "final buzzer" and passed away, Lenny (Adam Sandler) -- once the fearless leader of the coach's only championship team -- decides it's time to round up the troops: former teammates Eric (Kevin James), Kurt (Chris Rock), Marcus (David Spade), and Rob (Rob Schneider). While in their hometown for the funeral, the guys bunk at an old lodge that brings back fond memories, even as their wives (played by Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, and Joyce Van Patten) and kids attempt to hit it off. Will the coach's death force the men to re-evaluate their game plan before their own final buzzer?

Is It Any Good?

GROWN UPS is one of those movies that looks great in trailers but ultimately disappoints. With a cast like this, it really ought to be a slam dunk. But it's hobbled by a lackluster script that has little at stake for the characters. And the jokes: Despite the fact that it stars five successful comedians, the same jokes are recycled throughout. How many bits do we really need about a nanny camouflaged as an exchange student, a grandmother's bunioned toe, a retiree's marriage to a much younger man, a man's voracious appetite, and a still-nursing 4-year-old?

The five leads share some chemistry, but not enough to make a lifelong friendship believable. They're so cruel to each other that you have to wonder how they stayed friendly. And the women are nothing more than weak supporting acts and fodder for chauvinistic jokes. The film does have a few nice moments -- the paper-cup extravaganza, the flashbacks -- and makes a good point about not giving up the best moments of childhood to gadgetry and gimmicks. But on the whole, Grown Ups is a stunted comedy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about who Grown Ups is targeted at. Is it intended to appeal to families?

  • The movie's sexual humor includes plenty of jokes about older women dating younger men. Does the film reinforce or undermine stereotypes on that topic? What about on other subjects?

  • What is the movie saying about kids' love of tech toys?

Movie Details

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