Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Comedic superstars aim their raunchy satire at politics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Campaign
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious political comedy that features notable performances from the cast but is best suited for older teens due to its raunchy humor, heavy language, and sexual content. While many found it laugh-out-loud funny, some felt the character development and plot pacing were lacking, making it not universally appealing.
- funny
- raunchy
- political comedy
- older teens
- character development
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Longtime North Carolina congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) is up for re-election. With no one running against him, he's entitled and sloppy, finally leading to a major indiscretion that leaves his main financial supporters -- the wealthy, corrupt Motch Brothers (Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow) -- searching for another candidate to back (and control). Enter Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), the eccentric son of a once-rainmaker. Marty wants to do good in Washington, D.C., but little does he know that the Motch Brothers aren't about helping at all. In no time, Marty becomes consumed by the campaign, losing his identity much like Cam did.
Is It Any Good?
Like a comedy roast, THE CAMPAIGN is stuffed with would-be hilarious moments, egged on by stunt after stunt from the able stars. And fair is fair: Whichever genius came up with this pairing deserves a bonus. Combining Ferrell's oafy humor and Galifianakis' creepy-funny vibe is a win, especially in the context of the madness that is an election run-up.
But two-thirds of the way through, The Campaign starts to feel like the endless election, with no clear idea how to end or even when. We're happy to be laughing, but we'd like to know where we're going. Part of the fun of a riotous satire like this is that we know that, no matter how delicious every moment feels, in the end we'll be able to relish it in its entirety. But here we get an unsurprising and entirely conventional, finale. With The Campaign, the parts are greater than the whole. Let's vote already.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the main characters. Are they intended to be role models? Do you think they would resonate with people in real life? Which one would you vote for?
What is The Campaign saying about the American electoral system? Do you think candidates are manufactured or supported by rich people or companies that most voters aren't aware of?
What's the appeal of over-the-top raunchy comedies? What audience are they aimed at? Do they succeed?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 10, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : October 30, 2012
- Cast : Jason Sudeikis , Will Ferrell , Zach Galifianakis
- Director : Jay Roach
- Studio : Everyman Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude sexual content, language and brief nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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