Iffy for 16+
What is it good for? Bloody fighting, apparently.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this violent Jet Li action movie -- which is full of body-smashing, martial arts-style fights, plus shooting, punching, knifing, and car crashes -- isn't for kids. Bare-breasted, thong-clad club dancers serve as a visual indication of the villains' corruption (one woman is given as a "present" to Rogue, but no sexual activity is shown). Jack smokes cigarettes, especially at the beginning of the movie, and there's plenty of drinking, though much is in the background. Language is frequent, usually angry, and mostly consists of "f--k."
- Families can talk about the appeal of violent action movies. Why are filmgoers so entranced by fight scenes? Does the style of fighting affect how much you enjoy watching it? Families can also discuss the concept of revenge, which the movie revolves around. What is gained by revenge? Is violent vengeance ever justified? Parents, talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy -- even teens. Point out that consequences exist -- even if it makes you feel humorless. The fact that violent movies stimulate parts of the brain is worth a reminder.
The good stuff
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Messages: Cops, crime gangs, and civilians betray each other repeatedly, then seek vengeance in the most violent forms.
What to watch for
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Violence: Violence is incessant, beginning with cops battling Yakuza members (hand-to-hand fighting and kicking, shooting, stabbing). An early scene shows the brutal murder of Tom's family (frightened wife and child, burning house), which sets up the movie's vengeance theme. Rogue's assaults include throat-cutting, slicing off an ear, shooting, and sticking a sword through a hand. A dog with a bomb on its collar explodes; Jack tortures a suspect by pushing at a bloody wound; a fighting ring shows men slamming against the cage; Kira wields sharp blades; when a man is shot in the head, blood spurts graphically; a father's head appears in a box sent to his daughter.
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Sex: Bar scenes feature topless, thong-wearing dancers; Chang sends Rogue a prostitute: She strips off her dress and reveals giant breasts and a thong. Cops joke about women on the street being prostitutes (one refers to the other's mother as "working tonight").
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Language: Lots of typical action-movie profanity, some of it subtitled, including frequent uses of "f--k," and fewer instances of "s--t," "hell," "damn," "son of a bitch," and "ass." Also a couple of slangy references to genitalia ("pr--k," "p---y").
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Consumerism: Mostly expensive cars, including a sleek Spyker C8 Spyder.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Jack smokes several times; his partner notes that it's an "oral fixation" that he should give up. The villain smokes several times as well. Various background characters drink in bars, some "bikers" drink on the sidewalk, and Chang offers Rogue a drink a couple of times, but he refuses.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
War by tt78
The movie is really good. It is packed with action, like you would expect. Moves along very well, not boring whatsoever. I never expected the outcome. You have to go see it, if you like this type of movies.
5
would see again by piperbreeze
This movie was better than I thought it was going to be. In fact, I'm going to see it again with another friend that was unable to go with us the first time. Jet Li's character was very difficult to figure out and at the end I was definitely surprised. The fight scenes were fantastic, of course. I haven't seen a Jet Li film where the fight scene were bad so the fights in this movie held up to expectations. I would recommend this movie to any action fan.
5
Five Word Review by ggbull
the best movie see it!
5
Good Movie by 619boy531
After seeing the preview I knew I had to see it. I looked like it was going to be a sick movie, Because it had Jason Statham & Jet Li. I was right. It had sick action scenes, Good actors, good plot. At the end it goes off with a twist that no one expected.
5
STFU by ConorOlayjuan
I'm not gonna make some big retarded speech about the stupidest details like the way people speak and act like i know what the hell im talking about because im just a fan this movie was just fun and really exciting so stfu all you sadsad people who are trying to sound like movie buffs when youre really just a bunch of retards who have nothing better to do than think of some super crazy crap to completely disrespect a very respectable movie!
GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
1
Maybe if I had lower expectations. by Lrn2dnc
But with these two leads together? It should've been explosive, with phenomenal fight scenes.
Far from it.
3
Internal War by joemalo
I had a mental war with myself concerning the rating of this movie. It WAS action packed and full of witty one-liners, but the plot was very confusing and the twist at the end of the movie left everyone scratching their heads with complete confusion. This is definitely a Video rental and only because of the action. Don't watch this at the movies.
5
best movie ever by 1movieeachweek
When the movie ended I was still sitting on the edge of my seat!
1
Really?! by geoko
The movie was cruising along at a solid 'so-so' as exactly what i was expecting out of it- some entertaining fight scenes, lots of things that go boom, and the occasional naked woman. Perfectly normal action movie. Sure there were a few cringe worthy acting moments, for some reason there a flash back to the first two scenes about 5 minutes in.... I guess it's in case you forgot, or walked in late... But... the last 15 minutes are just... well... ridiculous. I expect action movies to have a not entirely believable plot, but it just stops making sense. So far the only logical explanation I can come up with for the ending is a very post-modern concept, since the film is largely about betrayal, the writes wanted the viewers to have an empathetic experience by absolutely betraying you.