UHF – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

UHF

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1989

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Weird Al's cult-classic fever dream of absurdist TV parodies—funny if you're nostalgic for 1989, baffling if you're not.

6.9/10

63%

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UHF

movie

PG-13, 1989

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Weird Al's cult-classic fever dream of absurdist TV parodies—funny if you're nostalgic for 1989, baffling if you're not.

6.9

63%

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Screenwise Verdict

UHF is a cult classic for a reason: it's weird, creative, and celebrates oddball imagination. Weird Al built a whole movie around parody TV shows, and if you're into absurdist humor and 1980s media references, it's a fun time.

But let's be real—this movie is 35 years old and it shows. The pacing is scattershot, the jokes are hit-or-miss, and a lot of the humor relies on knowing what TV was like in 1989. Modern kids will likely be baffled or bored unless they're already Weird Al fans or have a taste for retro comedy.

The WISE components are decent: it's imaginative, mostly wholesome, and safe enough for teens. But it's not enriching beyond 'be yourself,' and the entertainment value has a steep age/nostalgia curve. If your teen loves weird comedy or you want a family throwback night, go for it. Otherwise, this is skippable.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 13+, which feels right. The humor is absurdist and occasionally crude, but not harmful. That said, most kids under 15 will find it dated and confusing—this is really for older teens and adults who appreciate Weird Al or 80s nostalgia.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Weird Al's comedy is goofy and absurd rather than mean-spirited. The underdog-wins story models perseverance and creativity, though the humor is scattershot and occasionally crude (bodily function jokes, some stereotyping typical of late-80s comedy). No malice, but not exactly modeling cooperation or emotional depth either—it's pure silly.

Imaginative

This is peak absurdist comedy with parody shows-within-a-show (Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse, Raul's Wild Kingdom, Wheel of Fish). Weird Al's whole brand is creative remix culture, and UHF celebrates oddball imagination and DIY media-making. The premise itself—turning a failing TV station into a hit by throwing out the rulebook—is a love letter to weird creativity.

Safe

PG-13 rating (Common Sense says 13+). Some mild violence (cartoonish pratfalls, a villain getting comeuppance), occasional crude humor (poodle in a blender joke, some bathroom gags), and light sexual innuendo. No gore, nudity, or truly shocking content, but the humor can be random and occasionally crosses into territory that might confuse or mildly gross out younger kids. Overall pretty harmless 80s comedy fare.

Enriching

It's a cult comedy built on parody and absurdism—entertaining for those who get the references, but not particularly educational or emotionally resonant. There's a thin underdog narrative and some satire of media/commercialism, but mostly it's just gags. Kids won't learn much beyond 'be yourself' and maybe some media literacy if they catch the TV-parody angle. Entertainment value is high for the right audience, growth potential is low.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Peak absurdist comedy with memorable parody segments (Stanley Spadowski, Wheel of Fish) that celebrate weird creativity
Underdog story about a dreamer who turns a failing TV station into a hit by ignoring all the rules
Weird Al's brand of goofy, non-mean humor—no cruelty, just silliness and sight gags
Cult classic status means teens who discover it might feel like they've found something cool and obscure

⚠

What to Watch For

Humor is deeply 1980s—random, referential to TV shows of that era, and occasionally crude (poodle in a blender, bathroom jokes)
Some mild cartoon violence and a few stereotypes that haven't aged well
Modern kids under 13 will likely be confused or bored; this is really for teens/adults with a taste for nostalgic parody

Conversation Starters

"What was your favorite fake TV show in the movie? Would you watch Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse?"
"Why do you think George was able to make the station successful when everyone else failed?"
"Some of the jokes are pretty random—what did you think was actually funny vs. just weird?"

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