Common Sense Media Review
Yup, it's Jack Black -- with an "R" ... really.
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Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a hilarious and raunchy ode to the band, filled with numerous references and comedic antics, especially from Jack Black and Kyle Gass. However, it's definitely not suitable for children due to pervasive profanity, sexual content, and drug references, making it more appropriate for older teens and adults who can appreciate the humor.
- hilarious
- inappropriate
- adult humor
- band references
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
JB (Jack Black), a young hayseed from the Midwest who shocks his conservative parents with his rock music. Banished to his room, JB gets a sign telling him to go to California to become a rock god. In Venice Beach, he meets slacker and guitar virtuoso KG (Kyle Gass). The two become friends, get stoned together, and decide they need to become "the world's greatest rock band." No easy feat, especially when the rent's due. So they plot to steal what might be the answer to their prayers -- a magical guitar pick that's on display in a rock museum 300 miles away. Road trip! On their journey, the friends encounter magical worlds, strange creatures, and even the devil himself. Will they become the band that single-handedly changes the course of rock 'n' roll history? One thing's for sure. These two righteous dudes have a lot of gross, raucous "fun" trying.
Is It Any Good?
TENACIOUS D: THE PICK OF DESTINY is like School of Rock on steroids. It's no-holds-barred raunchy and crude. Black and Gass may be pretty good musicians (in fact, the musical sequences are the best part of the movie), but their brand of humor demands that you leave any sense of tact or dignity at the theater door.
Die-hard fans of Black's band will be happy to know the movie features new songs, along with some mind-bending cameos by the likes of Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, and Colin Hanks. Really, it's too bad Black and Gass didn't ditch the buddy-movie-road-trip theme and just go with a straight rock opera from start to finish -- if they had, this movie would have rocked even more. If you must watch this on DVD, wait until the kids go to bed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this side of Jack Black, which many kids (and adults) may not have known existed. Which "version" of the star do you think is more like his actual personality -- the hyper-yet-good-hearted guy he plays in movies like School of Rock and Nacho Libre, or the foul-mouthed, genitals-obsessed "hero" of this film? Do you think the studio made it clear how mature the content of this movie was? Why would they try to hide that fact? Families can also discuss all of the bad behavior on display in the movie (drugs, drinking, breaking and entering, stealing, etc.). Why is it funny to see this stuff in a movie when it's dangerous in real life?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 21, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : February 27, 2007
- Cast : Jack Black , Kyle Gass , Tim Robbins
- Director : Liam Lynch
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive language, sexual content and drug use.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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