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Parents' Guide to

The Other Guys

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Quirky buddy comedy mixes action, some raunchy stuff.

Movie PG-13 2010 107 minutes
The Other Guys Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 32 parent reviews

Mskibits
Mskibits Adult
January 25, 2022
age 18+

Totally inappropriate…but I was doubled over laughing

Absolutely hilarious but extensive explicit sexual innuendo—should definitely have been rated R for that. True no one said the F word …what they do say is far worse. Honestly the most offensive thing to me was when a main character repeatedly insults the other by accusing him of having feminine traits. Also a character complains that his son is bisexual. My 12 yo daughter did watch it with me. She was rolling laughing. And we some brief but not intimidating discussions about suicide, prostitution, exploitation, discrimination etc. This movie should be rated R light. That being said, it allowed me to discuss some R rated topics with my daughter in a way that was appropriate for kids. You decide what’s right for your kids. Just know what you’re getting into.

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
Bekalyn34
Bekalyn34 Adult
May 7, 2021
age 14+

Hilarious!!!!

Its appropriate for teens. super funny! little violent nothing to bad.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 32 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the criminal justice system explored in THE OTHER GUYS, the people are sometimes represented by bean-counting police officers and their deeply frustrated partners: These are their stories. (Cue droll voiceover by Law & Order veteran Ice-T.) Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) is an NYPD forensic accountant who'd rather file paperwork than be caught in the thick of action. His partner, Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), is a "peacock" who just wants to "fly," but he's been sidelined after erroneously shooting at none other than Derek Jeter. When the precinct loses its superstar cops (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) in an oddball accident, a vacuum is created. Hoitz wants to be a hero, but Gamble doesn't want to, well, gamble. But a seemingly nerdy case involving a famous finance whiz (Steve Coogan) and purloined billions just may get Hoitz the moment in the sun he's seeking -- and Gamble a familiar taste of the thrills.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (32 ):
Kids say (88 ):

Let's get the basics out of the way: The plot of The Other Guys wouldn't hold up in any court of law. That's annoying, yes, and at times even distracting; the movie loses momentum in the end as it grapples with tying up the thin storyline's dangling ends (and there are many) and winds up giving the audience a tutorial on corporate fraud. And Anne Heche as a testy financier is woefully underused.

But all of that's a small-ish price to pay to watch Ferrell's singular and witty absurdity unspool onscreen. He milks every moment, no matter how it strains credulity and humor, and often pulls it off. He's paired perfectly with Wahlberg, whose air of danger is channeled into edgy hilarity. Some successes: A running bit about Gamble's seemingly unexplainable ability to lure ridiculously attractive women like Eva Mendes (who plays his wife) and the bizarre fate that awaits a pair of celebrity cops who indulge in Bourne Identity-like action sequences, complete with explosions and gunfire and macho, canned repartee. Hoitz and Gamble are unlike most other guys, and what a gift that is.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this movie compares to more typical buddy cop movies. Why does Hollywood love these pairings? And why are they mostly male?

  • Is the violence in this type of movie gratuitous? What is this comedy saying about them? Is it paying homage or lampooning -- or a little bit of both?

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