Tough Guys – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Tough Guys

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1986

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two elderly train robbers get out of prison after 30 years and discover the '80s. Spoiler: it's not that funny.

50%

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Tough Guys

movie

PG, 1986

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two elderly train robbers get out of prison after 30 years and discover the '80s. Spoiler: it's not that funny.

50%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a relic. Two Hollywood legends (Lancaster and Douglas) reunite for a buddy comedy that probably seemed charming in 1986 but feels like watching paint dry today.

The 50% critic score tells you everything—even when it came out, critics were lukewarm. The premise of elderly ex-cons adjusting to the modern world (well, 1986's version of modern) could work, but the execution is formulaic and the pacing is glacial by today's standards.

The bigger issue? Your kids are supposed to root for career criminals. Sure, they foil a robbery, but these guys are lifelong train robbers being portrayed as lovable rogues. The moral messaging is muddled at best.

Unless you're a film history buff wanting to show your kids classic Hollywood stars, or you're really into 1980s nostalgia, this one's a skip. There are way better family comedies that won't have your kids checking their phones every five minutes.

Age Fit

Common Sense suggests 11+, which seems right for content, but honestly, what 11-year-old in 2025 wants to watch a slow-paced 1986 comedy about geriatric train robbers? This is really for nostalgic adults who remember when Burt and Kirk were stars.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A buddy comedy about elderly ex-cons adjusting to modern life with themes of friendship and loyalty. Models cooperation between the two leads, though the premise revolves around career criminals. Tone is generally light and comedic rather than dark, with the duo foiling a robbery showing some redemptive arc. However, the core characters are lifelong criminals which complicates the wholesome messaging.

Imaginative

Standard fish-out-of-water comedy setup with minimal creative spark. The 'old criminals in modern world' premise had been done before and doesn't bring much originality. No invitation for creative expression or exploration—it's a straightforward narrative comedy. The 50% critic score and 3/5 Letterboxd rating suggest audiences found it formulaic.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 11+, suggesting moderate content concerns. As a PG-rated 1980s action-comedy, likely contains some violence (train robbery, foiling a bank heist), mild language, and potentially some dated attitudes. No indication of graphic content, but the criminal activity and action sequences warrant parental awareness. The comedic tone likely softens most content.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value beyond light entertainment. Themes of aging, friendship, and adapting to change could spark some discussion, but the film doesn't deeply explore these. The 54 Metacritic and 50% RT critic scores suggest critics found it shallow. Some potential for discussing consequences of choices and second chances, but undermined by glorifying career criminals.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stars Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, two genuine Hollywood legends in their twilight years
Themes of friendship and loyalty between the two leads could resonate
Light-hearted take on aging and adapting to change
The duo foiling a bank robbery shows some redemptive qualities

⚠

What to Watch For

Main characters are career criminals, which sends mixed moral messages
Action sequences involving robberies and potentially some violence
Very dated 1980s humor and pacing that modern kids will find slow and boring
Common Sense rates it 11+ for a reason—some content concerns

Conversation Starters

"What do you think would be hardest about getting out of prison after 30 years?"
"The movie treats these guys like heroes, but they robbed a train. What do you think about that?"
"How do you think your grandparents feel about how much the world has changed in their lifetime?"

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