Traveling across America with an 86 year-old man may sound boring to some, however for Billy (Jackson Nicoll), it was anything but boring. This is the story about Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and his 8 year-old grandson, Billy. The two journey across country to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Billy reunites with his estranged father. They encounter many unusual situations from male strip clubs to biker bars; situations in which most 8 year-olds would not be involved. Bad Grandpa is an R rated comedy, which is not appropriate for kids, though older teens may find it entertaining.

Rating: 2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: January 28, 2014
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive
Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

Talking Points:

Grandpa and Billy bond on their drive together, which was sweet and endearing.

There was a hidden camera on their road trip. That made the film a little more interesting and entertaining, especially seeing peoples reactions to Grandpa’s goofy ways.

The humor in the film was disgusting and gross. For example; Grandpa and Billy were having a farting contest in a restaurant, and grandpa defecated on the wall. There was crude humor throughout the film.

Sexual Content: Excessive

•  Grandpa flirted and made sexual comments to women.  Billy made some remarks as well.
• Billy dressed up as a girl to enter in a kids’ beauty pageant. When he was on stage, he stripped down to his bra and undies and proceeded to do a pole dance routine. That was very strange!
• Grandpa went to a male strip club, we saw  male strippers and female customers miming sexual movements.
• Grandpa decided to participate at the strip club. He took off his pants, though he was wearing his underwear, we saw his privates hanging out.

Violent Content: Mild

•  Grandpa drives recklessly; he continually hits signs and public property with his car.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

• The f-word is said numerous times. We also hear; “a–,” “b–ch,” “sh-t,” and “h–l.”

Drugs and Alcohol: Excessive

• We see characters drinking beer and hard liquor. Billy even drinks beer, initially spits it out, but then ends up liking it.
• Characters are shown smoking cigarettes.

Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes

• There were a lot of seventeen year-olds in the theater, laughing throughout the film.

Overall Bad Grandpa is an inappropriate R rated film, one I don’t recommend for kids or pre-teens. As I previously mentioned, older teens may find it entertaining.  Parents need to be aware of the excessive sexual comments and vulgar behavior woven through the film.