Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Now
Watch it on iTunes Buy on Amazon

A Few Good Men Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    62

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 60

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    The film's plot...is more contrived than creditable, motivations are not always clear, and some characters, for instance Kiefer Sutherland as a praise the lord and pass the ammunition Marine, are not very convincingly acted. [11 Dec 1992]

  • 60

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Julie Salamon

    Though not terribly interesting as political philosophy, A Few Good Men makes for a passably entertaining movie. [31 Dec 1992, p.A5(E)]

  • 63

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The film doesn't make us work, doesn't allow us to figure out things for ourselves, is afraid we'll miss things if they're not spelled out.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Pace and performances dominate, with popped salutes going to Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Pollack, Kevin Bacon and especially Nicholson's smiling barracuda. [11 Dec 1992]

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

    Works because it's able to draw so many side issues into its central conflict, spreading its concerns culture-wide. [11 Dec 1992]

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Vincent Canby

    A big commercial entertainment of unusually satisfying order. [11 Dec 1992]

  • 90

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    Expert story construction and compelling thesping and direction make all the narrative elements pay off as if calculated by a precision instrument in which all the parts are working perfectly.

    Read Full Review

  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    Like all courtroom dramas, A Few Good Men is gimmicky and synthetic. It's also an irresistible throwback to the sort of sharp-edged entertainment Hollywood once provided with regularity.

    Read Full Review

  • See all A Few Good Men reviews at Metacritic.com

View MoreView Less

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Complex military whodunit. For mature teens+.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film's lack of gory violence or explicit sex makes it a relatively good choice for those who like political thrillers. However, the plot might be too complex and slow-paced for all but the most mature teenagers. There is some strong language and a graphic oral sex reference.

  • Families can talk about the duties of a citizen to their family and their country. Was the death of the marine justified in favor of national security? Does Col. Jessup's military record automatically make him qualified to hold his position? How does the trial cause Lt. Kaffee to question his own values?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Many characters are seen taking political expedient but morally ambiguous actions.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Gore is at a minimum but the movie begins with two marines forcibly tying up another and then blood is seen staining a bed.

  • sex false3

    Sex: No nudity, but one scene discusses oral sex quite explicitly.

  • language false5

    Language: Several F-words and a graphic oral sex reference.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

View MoreView Less

Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.15
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

by 911dew

4

by TerpsFan72

5

by sinhippie

Read all A Few Good Men reviews at Fandango
Advertisement