NOT a kid's movie

Rating: 5/10 (23 August 2005)

Maybe it's because I have an impressionable 2yr old, or maybe it's because I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I don't this movie is 100% for kids. I took my son to this movie (his first, actually) BEFORE I saw that it was rated PG. So, I can't blame them for the content, BUT -- this was marketed as a kid's movie, but they didn't fight to get a G rating. Three things that stand out:
1) "Well, this sucks!" Great line, I laughed at it. But, some parents don't want their kids using that word just yet. Meh. 2) Spitting. There is a lot of spitting in this movie, particularly spitting what you drink. Again, not a habit to encourage. 3) HELL: There is a sign that reads HELP that collapses into the word HELL. And, it stays on the screen for several seconds. Bad Dreamworks!
All in all, not a horrible flick. Ali G's "Move It!" song is very catchy, and my kid was dancing in the aisle. It's funny at times, but doesn't use Jada Pinkett-Smith nearly as much as it should. David Schwimmer was very good, and Ben Stiller and Chris Rock could have been good if the script was better-targeted to their comedy.
Maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age . . .