It’s not uncommon for a film released in theaters with a PG-13 or R rating to have an unrated release on DVD. Sometimes, this makes sense, as it does for “Reno 911!: Miami.” Other times, it’s just a marketing ploy to snag people in with nothing more titillating than a deleted scene of garbage, like “My Boss’s Daughter.”

If you’re going to rent or buy “Reno 911!: Miami,” you should just forego the rated version and make a beeline right to the unrated version. While I don’t remember enough from the theatrical version to say what has been added to or changed in the unrated DVD, it’s always better in my opinion to go for the higher rating. At least this is a good policy to have for a raunchy film like “Reno 911!: Miami.”

When the theatrical release came out, I was a bit worried that it might not make a whole lot of sense to me having never really watched the television show. The premise isn’t all that difficult to understand – that the Reno sheriff’s office is a bunch of incompetent nincompoops. The worry I had was that the film would be full of inside jokes with no real humor for the first time viewer.

After seeing the film, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t have a problems picking up on the characters and story of the film. I may not have had the full context of the show, but it was pretty easy to figure out how everyone fit into the scheme of things.

This was helped by a beginning that set things up with interviews with the characters rather than jumping into a story. After a few minutes where we figure out who is who, the movie hits its story – that the sheriff’s office has been invited to a police convention in Miami.

The team arrives in Miami only to discover that they aren’t on the registration list. This sends them to a cheap motel for a night of drinking, partying, masturbating and meaningless sex. They arrive at the convention the next day to learn the whole location has been hit with a bioterror attack. With all the cops in the city out of commission, it’s up to the Reno sheriff’s office to not only keep the peace in Miami but to track down the culprit who masterminded the bioterror attack.

I liked this film quite a bit, but it wasn’t enough to make me start watching the show. That’s not to say the show isn’t good. I just don’t have time to devote to the series. But I did make my wife watch the DVD, and she’s never watched the show either. She found it equally as funny, which bodes well for a new audience.

The strength of this film likes in its raunchiness. There are some non-sexual jokes and scenes, but the funniest parts often come from some awkward or embarrassing situation. The cast holds the shaky plot together with their cohesive spirit, and while much of the film isn’t relevant to the story, it is still hilarious to watch.

However, the best part of the DVD is the bonus features. Not only are the public service announcements used to advertise the film included, but there’s also commentary tracks featuring the actors in-character. For improv comedians, these actors shine in this off-the-cuff discussion of the film. In fact, the movie’s worth watching a second and third time for these commentary tracks.

Sure, “Reno 911!: Miami” isn’t the funniest film of the year, and it’s not going to change the world, but it will make you laugh.