 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
12 Rounds
- Review Date: March 26, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
So-so action movie has lots of fighting, other iffy stuff.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a review of the theatrical release and not the DVD -- which comes with what's described as "two alternate endings and more action." The original release is packed with action, but it's more about the spectacle than it is about bloodshed. Not that you won't see some blood, but the tone is more enthusiastic and amped-up than sadistic or brutal. All of that said, expect plenty of on-screen deaths and tons of collateral property damage. There's also some discussion of terrorism, but the action is more personal than political. Language includes the usual suspects for PG-13 ("s--t," "bitch," "goddamn," etc.), and there's some drinking, smoking, kissing, and womanizing.
What's the story?
In 12 ROUNDS, New Orleans cop Danny Fisher (John Cena) luckily catches international arms dealer Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen). Fisher is promoted for his work, but a year later he still feels remorse over the fact Jackson's girlfriend Erika (Taylor Cole) died during the arrest. Miles is still upset about it, too -- and, having escaped from prison, he proceeds to abduct Fisher's girlfriend Molly (Ashley Scott) and set Fisher a series of 12 tasks. If Fisher fails, Molly dies. ...
Is it any good?
Directed by Renny Harlin, 12 Rounds doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel; its plot is a recycling of Die Hard With a Vengance, in which a maniacal criminal gives a cop a series of orders that feel like part of a crazy game but actually have a more specific intent than just sowing chaos and despair.
Cena's dedicated tough-guy cop is adequate -- as an actor, Cena's a heck of a wrestler -- and Gillen (best known as Baltimore Mayor Tommy Carcetti on The Wire) brings a fevered energy to his role as the master manipulator bad guy, an arms dealer who has more in common with comic-book geniuses like The Joker than real arms traders. While 12 Rounds is well-made and energetic, it isn't unique enough to go the distance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the appeal of action films -- why do so many movies revolve around cops, criminals, and the challenges of maintaining order? What's the impact of watching so much action violence?
Do you think a situation like the one in the movie could ever happen in real life?
The movie was backed by the entertainment arm
of World Wrestling Entertainment. Why do you think they want to turn
John Cena into a movie star as well as a wrestling star?
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AGE
Awesome for all ages
Love this video it sets good images of wwe and not bad for my baby. My kids and i loved it and hope to have another one of it.
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AGE
This is a really good movie and should be ok for kids 12 and over
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Kid, 12 years old
July 9, 2010
AGE
die hard 2 for younger kids
a good action movie way better than the other john cena movie. some die hard 2 like violence. one or two f-words. quite a bit of action violence. cool movie 12+
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AGE
I'm not sure I'll be watching this movie, although I do love John Cena. The CS review just doesn't make it out to be that interesting...
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AGE
good movie
very good movie lots of action 11 and
over
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AGE
Die Hard 4 for younger kids (Unrated Version)
Pretty good movie, its basicly Die Hard 4 for younger kids. I have not seen the PG-13 one, but this is what i got out of the unrated:
Violence: People are killed (never graphicly shown. Someone is stabbed (all u see is blood on the knife). Someone gets hit by a car (blood is shown on face and ground). There is other fighting violence in the movie.
Language- 2 f-words, multiple s-words, one or 2 b-words and many other minor words.
Sex- there are a few sexual comments near the begginig and spread thru a little
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AGE
Haaha
Fisher (Cena) Is a cop. Good role models.
Not violent. Great film.
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AGE
eh it's good i guess
went to go see this in the theaters a while ago, it was alright. The acting wasn't all that great but got better as the film went along. theres not too much to worry about content wise besides some violence and a somewhat disturbing image of a women who has been hit by a car. I'd say rent it but it's not worth buying or anything like that. Teens and Preteens will probaly enjoy it.
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AGE
Great for tweens
I saw it with a bunch of friends and we loved it. It had a good overall message which shiwed that law would always win. The only thing that was a little disturbing was a man falls down an elevator shaft and you see a woman running from the law get hit by a car and the camera lingers on her dead body for a short time. Overall though this movie was very good and great for someone around 12 or 13 who likes action and is not disturbed by the things I mentioned above.
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| Studio: | Fox Atomic |
| Director: | Renny Harlin |
| Cast: | Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, John Cena |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 27, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | June 30, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of violence and action. |
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