Impractical Jokers parents guide

Impractical Jokers Parent Guide

Often crass and tedious, this film will appeal to fans of the television show, but likely not to other viewers.

Overall C-

Hidden camera pranks from four immature man-children seeking to relive their adolescence.

Release date February 28, 2020

Violence A-
Sexual Content C+
Profanity D
Substance Use C+

Why is Impractical Jokers rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Impractical Jokers PG-13 for suggestive content, language, some drug references and brief nudity

Run Time: 92 minutes

Parent Movie Review

The Impractical Jokers have been pulling pranks on each other for years- since the early 90s, in fact. Starting with a major mishap at a Paula Abdul concert, the four troublemakers have been making a living out of publicly humiliating themselves and others. But when they run into Paula Abdul at a Red Lobster and she invites them to a huge party in Miami, the jokers see an opportunity to redeem their behavior at her concert all those years ago. The only downside? She left them only three tickets. To determine who has to stay behind, the pranksters embark on a road trip from New York to Miami, playing hidden camera jokes all the way. Whoever has the least successful pranks will have to miss the epic event.

Surrounded by this awkwardly scripted frame narrative involving Paula Abdul, the jokesters ramble around the east coast, causing trouble wherever they land. Their hidden camera pranks, which are rarely funny, involve a number of unsavory elements, from male nudity to children in strip clubs. Accompanying this is enough profanity to make 13 year olds giggle, but not enough to push the production into a Restricted rating.

I should start with a disclaimer: I’ve never sat down and watched the show which preceded this unfortunate cinematic misadventure. I have, however, watched some highlight clips, and they seem to be in much the same vein. If you liked the show, I’m sure you’ll love the movie. It has the same juvenile irreverence the whole way through. Me? I would rather have spent that 90 minutes buried up to my neck in cockroaches.

I don’t know who the target audience is for this, but I’m definitely not part of it. Judging by the “humor” displayed, I’m picturing a gaggle of over-excited 13-year-olds or drunken frat boys. I’m sure they’d love it from start to finish. Although, were I one of their unfortunate parents, I don’t know that I’d want them to watch it. Neither group needs the kind of encouragement this movie provides.

Directed by Chris Henchy. Starring Briann Q Quinn, Joe Gatto, and James S. Murray. Running time: 92 minutes. Theatrical release February 28, 2020. Updated

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Impractical Jokers
Rating & Content Info

Why is Impractical Jokers rated PG-13? Impractical Jokers is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for suggestive content, language, some drug references and brief nudity

Violence: An individual is struck across the neck and knocked down. An individual is tazed.
Sexual Content:   An individual’s buttocks are seen as part of a prank. A scene takes place in a strip club with no nudity shown, although children are present in the club. There are a number of jokes made which reference pornography.
Profanity: There are eleven uses of scatological profanity, one use of a sexual expletive, and around a dozen uses of profanity in other categories. There is frequent crude language referring to male genitals.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adult characters are shown drinking alcohol, but are not depicted as intoxicated.

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Impractical Jokers Parents' Guide

Practical jokes between friends and family can be fun if everyone enjoys that kind of humor. Is it appropriate to involve strangers in these pranks? What expectations do we about the public behavior of others that would make this more or less appropriate?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

If you want to carry out practical jokes with some flair, check out Brad Graham and Kathy McGowan’s 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes for the Evil Genius.

Young pranksters will want to consult Julie Winterbottom’s Pranklopedia: The Funniest, Grossest, Craziest, Not-Mean Pranks on the Planet.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Impractical Jokers movie is June 16, 2020. Here are some details…

Related home video titles:

For a much funnier road trip movie, check out the Steve Martin/John Candy classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.