Iffy for 17+
Disturbing, fact-based story of rape and murder.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this mature Iraq war drama definitely isn't for kids. Based on a true story, it deals with violent acts like rape and murder (including the shooting of a pregnant woman) and shows U.S. soldiers' boredom, fear, and tensions. The closing images of real Iraqi civilian corpses and mourners are especially difficult. Weapons include guns, grenades, and IEDs; other scenes show drinking, the effects of drugs, and cigarette smoking. Not surprisingly given the war-zone setting, language is strong and constant, with more than 100 uses of "f--k" and lots of racist and misogynist slurs.
- Families can talk about how the movie uses different types of imagery to suggest the chaos of the war zone. How effective is this strategy? What are the different types of media used? Do some have more impact than others? Why? Families can also discuss what the film is saying about U.S. troops and their training. Are there any heroes in this movie?
The good stuff
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Messages: U.S. troops are angry, frustrated, and fearful; several are overtly racist and misogynist. A group of four soldiers rapes a 14-year-old Iraqi girl. She and her family are murdered; the primary villains never show remorse.
What to watch for
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Violence: Ongoing and upsetting violence throughout. A rape is central to the story. Several scenes show shooting and bombs exploding. Images of guns, tanks, and shoulder-mounted grenades. U.S. soldiers man a checkpoint where they shoot up a car that's transporting a pregnant woman to the hospital (some blood). Hospital scene shows blood and chaos. A sergeant is killed by a bomb (his bloody, detached leg flies into the frame and lands on the ground). A woman describes the rapists' brutal possible deaths.
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Sex: Frequent conversations about sexual desire and activity (includes use of words like "p---y" and "boned"). Porn magazines visible in the troops' base camp. Rape scene shows some thrusting and gestures toward the camera -- no nudity, but explicit action. Uncomplimentary discussion of a dead woman's pregnancy.
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Language: Very frequent swearing, including 100+ uses of "f--k" and multiple uses of "hell," "s--t," "damn," "ass" (some with "hole"), and "bitch." Derogatory words like "ragheads" and "hajji" are also used.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Soldiers appear drunk and high and smoke cigarettes frequently.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
What is that sucking sound? by sozoman
What is Mark Cuban thinking. Maybe he is buds with Robert Reford. Lions for Lambs sucked big time and made no money, Redacted sucks and will make no money. I guess making movies that people want to see is no longer a concern for Hollywood.
Dang, Make some good movies we want to see and don't mind paying $10 for.
What a waste of money and talented actors...Arg! I want my money back!
1
Awful!! by gymbo731
This movie will surly be showed to the terroists. The will use, it and get American's killed.
What is the point of this movie? Who wants to see a rape? Boooo all the way!
1
redacted by Tin_Cup
let's see what the box office take is on the"objective" movie is!
1
Worst American Soldier attack movie yet by gspot107
The producer is derranged and obviouly obsessed with seeing the violation of a young girl by powerful men. If Redford hates the military, why did he feel the need to show women being raped in graphic detail? Must be a fantasy of his. If you hate the military this is the movie for you , If you are true blue God Bless America, it will make you angry at is subversive points. Either way, wait fo the dvd and save the movie for the extra cost of gas these days.
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Sad by OreillyFan
Its sad that people will watch this movie knowing very well what its going to do to our troops. They are now showing only the horrible parts, which I think all of its horrible, in the middle east. You have to know this is going to cause them anger, it would to us if it was them making this movie about them hurting out americans.
Don't see it in the theaters don't let them make money from you. I'm not saying dont watch it but dont give them your money.
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Redacted ?? by justso
Please explain to me what the purpose of this movie is. I go to the movies for entertainment and escape. This is an attempt to stereotype the war and soldiers as morally wrong. Why not throw in a scene of a soldier risking his/her life to protect civilians. It happens every day, but that wouldn?t cause controversy would it. Don?t waste your time it will just make you angry, regardless of your views.
1
Bad Movie by Moo-V Fan
I love that we have the freedom to make movies about anything and everything. However, when it will put our fellow Americans' lives at risk, that is inappropriate. We should use some restraint while the mission is still active. Do not waste your money on this movie or YOU too will be partly responsible for putting our fellow countrymen and countrywomen in greater danger.
1
Poorly done propaganda by hoags2005
Poor acting, little attention to detail and blatantly anti-soldier. I expected a movie like Platoon, tackling the loss of innocence in war; both the good and the bad. In this trainwreck every american soldier is 10 IQ points away from being retarded, they are either latinos or rednecks and nobody has a conscience. Not even accurate militarily; nobody is in charge, one actor is so fat I am surprised they could find a uniform to fit him. British tanks used as props instead of American. Male soldiers seaching female Iraqis (never done in real life). Don't waste your money on this half-_ssed flick.