not for kids
Over-the-top violence, nudity, drugs in dark Stallone movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Bullet to the Head is the first teaming of legendary action director Walter Hill and legendary action star Sylvester Stallone. The result is extremely violent in an over-the-top way, with wall-to-wall, extra-noisy, extra-bloody shooting, fighting, stabbing, and explosions. There's also nudity (mostly topless women) in a few scenes, and language is strong, with several uses of "f--k" and "s--t." Characters drink in bars, and a minor character snorts cocaine in one scene. Though the movie isn't realistic, it's still very intense overall and isn't recommended for anyone but the most mature teens and up.
- Families can talk about Bullet to the Head's violence. Does the fact that it's clearly over the top affect its impact? How would the movie have been different with less violence?
- What's appealing about a hit man as a main character? How can we like or identify with someone who breaks the law and solves his problems with violence?
- What stereotypes come up in the movie between the two main characters? How do the characters deal with them?
The good stuff
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Educational value:
Though the cop character slowly learns that the underworld way of doing things is more effective than following the rules, at least he and a double-crossed hitman learn to work together, more or less. There are a few culturally-charged jokes: the cop is Korean, but the hitman throws any number of Asian stereotype jokes at him.
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Messages: The characters use violence as a response for nearly every situation, and when they try to use their heads, things tend to not work out. Hence, they learn that violence (or threats) is usually the "better" solution to any problem.
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Role models: Though the cop character slowly learns that the underworld way of doing things is more effective than following the rules, at least he and a double-crossed hit man learn to work together, more or less. There are a few culturally-charged jokes: The hit man throws any number of Asian stereotype jokes at the Korean cop.
What to watch for
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Violence: The over-the-top, wall-to-wall violence in Bullet to the Head is of the extra-noisy, extra-bloody type, with almost constant fighting, chasing, shooting, stabbing, and explosions. True to the title, characters are shot in the head. In the big showdown, characters fight with axes. There's a brief but bloody autopsy scene. Nearly everyone gets shot or beat up, and many, many minor and supporting characters die. A woman is kidnapped and treated roughly.
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Sex: A prostitute is shown taking a shower; one breast and her naked bottom are shown. At a fancy, crowded party, several masked women walk around topless. The female lead is shown just out of a shower, her bottom on display and very briefly topless before covering up with a towel. There's also some quick, spoken innuendo in one or two scenes.
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Language: Language isn't constant but includes several uses of "f--k," plus "s--t," "prick," "ass," "piss," "a--hole," "son of a bitch," "crap," "damn," "goddamn," and "bitch."
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Consumerism: Google is mentioned in one scene, and Band-Aids and Blow Pops are mentioned in another. The main character drinks a specific brand of whisky, Bulleit Bourbon, which he asks for by name several times and shows in one or two scenes.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A minor character is shown drinking and snorting cocaine in a hotel room. Most other characters are shown drinking in bars at some point -- mostly beer and/or a certain brand of bourbon/whisky.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Bullet to the Head by stevendbeard
This is a good old fashioned action movie , directed by Walter Hill , a good old fashioned action movie director [he directed The Warriors , 48 Hrs , Red Heat , Another 48 Hrs] starring a good old fashioned action star [Sylvester] . Sylvestor is 66 years old and looks like he is in fantastic shape .
Sylvester plays a New Orleans hitman that meets Sung , a Washington D.C. detective , whenever they are both looking for the same man , Adewale [It seems they have some personal business with him] . This is kind of like those old buddy cop movies , only it's a hitman and a cop . Christian plays a high priced attorney and Jason is a tough enforcer [they both work for Adewale] and in case you were wondering , the title of the movie comes into play , quite often . In a good action movie , you need a good , tough bad guy for the hero to fight and you definitely have that here , with Jason .
5
Classic Stallone! by Movie_Buff_86
This is just another typical Stallone movie, but that is not a bad thing. I enjoyed this movie a lot and it is a You know what to expect when walking into the movie theatre, when you are watching a movie with Stallone. This movie has a hitman and a cop go up against thugs who have killed their partners. They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what they want, unless Stallone does something about it. Go see it, but it def. is not for kids. Too much swearing and blood. That is why it is rated R. Stallone is at it again and he did not dissapoint. I was entertained for the 90 minutes and he is still one of the best action stars out there even at his age. GO SEE IT. Everybody loves a good afternoon full of blood and guns!
3
Hard to like a movie in which you don't like anyone! by kathleencharles
Wanted to like this movie, but when you don't care about any of the main characters...it's impossible. Stallone's stilted, monosyllabic dialog, a dumb cop, a daughter who can't act her way out of a bag, combined with over the top gratuitous violence makes for one disappointing movie experience. I could have seen a variety of other action movies, but all of them had less than stellar reviews. This one was the better choice of the bunch according to those reviews. Wish I'd just gone to have a nice lunch!
4
Good action attitude flick. Sly still has the bricks! by Mike Blondino
Just went and saw Bullet To The Head. Just me and a friend. This movie is NOT for kids. Extremely graphic. Ok.. two things about Sly, the man is hard as rock even at his considerable age, and second, his acting hasn't improved since Rocky! But I enjoyed it despite his pushing of Bullet Whiskey which tastes nasty. All that said, in the action department it didn't disappoint; very bloody, a lot of bad guy with the code of ethics stuff. Definitely a good guy flick, and honestly I don't think any man can look at Stallone and not be inspired to put in some time at the gym.
4
Very good movie, entertaining by coder01
If this is your genre this movie is definitely entertaining.
Not terrifically violent, but that's ok. Good suspense, pretty good story line.
Sylvester is getting a bit old to be the action hero, however he played his character well and it was believable.
This was worth the price to see in the theater.
4
Typical Stallone Action by hairydawg78
Stallone is one of if not the best action movie star of all time. He is a freak of a man whether its all real or artificial I don't know but the man doesn't look like a typical 60 something.
If your looking for Shakespeare keep looking but if you want to turn off your brain and just sit and enjoy an action movie with lots of violence, sexy naked women, and cool one liners then this is your movie. At least it isn't a comic. All hollywood can make is romantic comedies and comic book movies so its nice that Stallone gives us another option to waste our money. Also whats the point of paying 10-12 dollars to see a movie with out some pounding rock and stuff. If I want to watch a more complicated movie I'll watch it in the comfort of my home for a lot less money.
4
raw, gritty, action packed - a dark big easy caper by wonder_chimp
Bullet to the Head does not offer anything refined but it delivered the basics and was entertaining to watch. The action sequences are raw and violent. Expect a fair amount of graphic violence and gore. Stallone's character was interesting and he did a good enough job. It was like a really dark big easy caper. Good cop and bad coper. Good cop is a played by the actual cop begrudgingly working with Stallone who is the bad cop. Note, Stallone is not a copy in the movie just a really no bs hardened hit man with his own sense of morality. They just end up working together it felt that way. Director Walter Hill went back to his roots on this. Some parts reminded me of the dark and survivalist sequences in The Warriors.
3
The Trailers Looked Good by ghostriderfan
Look I'm not gonna bash the movie. The trailers looked good but honestly didn't live up to the hype. Bullet To The Head is a kick-*** movie, I mean it's balls to the wall action and that's where Sylvester Stallone excels. Honestly I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters (Jimmy BoBo & Det. Kwon) but I'm in the minority. Look the action is there, the story is ok, but this film is a must for all Stallone fans everyone else can wait for DVD. This film is rated "R" for a reason so responsible parents DO NOT NEED TO BRING SMALL KIDS TO THIS!!! (Mind you I saw some irresponsible parents do just that.)
4
Sly
Was a typical Stallone movie with fights and action and a plot interesting enough that you werent bored for the duration but it couldve had a little more action!