Dirty Grandpa

I completely understand why so many critics absolutely despise this movie: it manages to incorporate a joke that offends almost any group of people that you can think of. There are plenty of offensive jokes that are unfunny, but the less offensive jokes are sometimes hilarious.

Robert De Niro has a sort-of charisma that gives him the screen every time he is present in this film. He is by far the funniest part of the film. Zac Efron is not very good, except for the parts where he was letting loose like his character in Neighbors, his only good role. Julianne Hough acted her stereotype well, but it was a stereotype. I usually like Aubrey Plaza— April is one of my favorite characters in Parks and Recreation. In this film, however, she is just annoying and uncomfortable. Her character is over-the-top vulgar, which some people may find funny, but I only found a few of the jokes involving her to be amusing. I feel that she was seriously miscast.

Then we get to the writing. The plot is a ridiculously predictable, ridiculously clichéd film, but most comedy films are, so that can be expected. The majority of the jokes are either racist, homophobic, or awkward double entendres from Aubrey Plaza's character, all of which are unfunny. The rest, though, involving secondary characters or Zac Efron and Robert De Niro going crazy, are absolutely hilarious at times.

If you can get past the horribly stereotypical plot and characters, as well as the ridiculously offensive jokes that make up about three quarters of the film, Dirty Grandpa can be a lot of fun. Regardless, Robert De Niro still has an irresistible charm that made this film what it is. Without him, there would not really be any redeeming qualities in this film.

​Dirty Grandpa
Big Tuna's Rating: C
How Did I Watch It?: In theaters.
Had I Seen It Before?: No.
Would I Watch It Again?: Probably not.

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