Nature Calls

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Nature Calls Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Forgettable, raunchy scouting comedy isn't for young kids.

R 2012 85 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

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

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Nature Calls may center on a scoutmaster and his troop, but it's in no way age appropriate for kids, tweens, or young teens. It starts off with a tender premise -- the adult son of a scout leader wants to follow in his elderly father's footsteps -- but quickly veers into over-the-top territory. There's barely a scene of dialogue without a "f--k" and/or other strong language, there are lots of crude and scatological jokes, and the boys even spot a mysterious naked woman on a motorcycle in the woods. There's also a lot of comedic violence that culminates in a man being blown up and killed in the outdoors.

Community Reviews

starbee36
starbee36 Adult
June 8, 2015
age 12+

A Great Comedy, But Not For Very Young Kids

This is a great family comedy for kids and parents of about 13 years old. My kids are 12 and 14, and they thought that this was the best. As there is quite a lot f swearing and drinking drugs and smoking it's not the best movie for families with young children, but okay for mature tweens and all teens. There is some sex involved, but no real sex scene. There is some gore and violence, but nothing that the average teen hasn't seen in the Hunger Games or Divergent. Quite a lot of swearing, but OK for secondary school kids, because they've heard it all before. It's overall, an Ok movie for tweens and teens but for much younger viewers it's advised not to watch without going through it yourself first. Hope this helped influence your decision.It's a great movie.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Brothers Randy (Patton Oswalt) and Kirk (Johnny Knoxville) couldn't be more different. They're both the sons of a beloved scout troopmaster, but while Randy has taken over the now-struggling troop, Kirk wants nothing to do with scouting. When Randy discovers that none of his troop wants to go camping because they're at Kirk's son's video-games-and-movies sleepover, Randy basically coerces the boys to go on a trip with his disabled, elderly dad in tow. The next morning, Kirk and his best friend go after Randy and the kids, while Kirk's wife Janine (Maura Tierney) must explain to the other boys' parents whey their sons aren't there. Late comedian Patrice O'Neal appears in his final film performance as an angry dad trying to convince his son that he's not dead -- as the scout leaders erroneously told him.

Is It Any Good?

Oswalt, so good in Young Adult and on Showtime's The United States of Tara gets nothing from Nature Calls' flat, forgettable script. It's a shame he signed up to do something that's so embarrassing to his comedic abilities. This is lowbrow humor that actually has a promising early premise, but it goes south quickly and never recovers. How the director found parents willing to let their young sons be in this crass a comedy is befuddling.

Although Riggle and Knoxville are a duo made in fraternity-boy heaven, and O'Neal is a sight for sore eyes in his minor role, it's a waste that such a funny performer should have his last performance be in such a tasteless mess of a movie.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how not all movies featuring minors are actually geared toward kids and teens. How might Nature Calls have been different if kids were the target audience?

  • Is it appropriate for a movie about a group of young kids to feature so many raunchy jokes and strong language? Why or why not?

  • The violence in the movie, even a character's death, is played for laughs. Does it come off as amusing?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • The Bad News Bears Poster Image

    The Bad News Bears

    Edgy '70s baseball comedy has lots of cursing, drinking.

    age 12+
  • Meatballs Poster Image

    Meatballs

    Quaint summer camp comedy has sex on the brain.

    age 14+
  • The Goonies Poster Image

    The Goonies

    Classic '80s adventure has lots of swearing, some scares.

    age 10+
  • School of Rock Poster Image

    School of Rock

    Standout Jack Black in nerds-become-cool comedy.

    age 11+
  • Moonrise Kingdom Poster Image

    Moonrise Kingdom

    Typically quirky Wes Anderson dramedy has lots of heart.

    age 14+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate