Common Sense Media Review
By Corrina Antrobus
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun-filled nostalgic British comedy has language, drug use.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pirates
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Set on millennium eve, PIRATES takes place over one night and follows three boys on a mission to score tickets to a New Year's Eve rave. Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters), and Kidda (Reda Elzaouar) share an infectious bond, but as they approach adulthood and university looms, will their bromance last? As they pursue the quest to score the tickets, and Two Tonne tries to win the affections of his crush, Sophie (Kassius Nelson), the boys come of age as they look to their own future ambitions.
Is It Any Good?
Parents who grew up in the '90s U.K. London garage scene will find delight in this new-age musical period piece. The attention to detail in Pirates is meticulous featuring the most infectious records, colossal fashions, and cultural references such as playing "Snake" on a cellphone or purchasing nightclub tickets from a record shop. Cameos from legendary DJs and MCs -- such as DJ Spoony, Carl Cox, and So Solid's Mega Man -- pop up throughout as another source of satisfying nostalgia.
Writer and director Reggie Yates -- better known to U.K. audiences as a radio and TV presenter -- packs plenty of physical comedy into the short 80-minute runtime. But it's the chirpy throwback to '90s London culture, scored by U.K. garage and draped in "off-key" Moschino fashion, that really makes it shine. These specifics may limit the appeal, but the ridiculous comedy (the script is hilarious), and budding friendship (the boys have genuine chemistry), make Pirates an enjoyable, breezy watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong relationships between the boys in Pirates. How often do you see boys get on so well in movies? What makes a strong friendship?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How were drinking, smoking, and drug use portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize it?
Set in 1999, what technology do we have today that would have been useful to the three friends in the movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 1, 2022
- Cast : Elliot Edusah , Jordan Peters , Reda Elazouar
- Director : Reggie Yates
- Studio : Gunpowder & Sky
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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