This was an incredibly bad movie purely based on the script. The writers made the characters do whatever they needed to do (not what the characters would have done) in order just to try and make some sort of story work in the most convenient way possible. All the characters contradict their conviction regularly, change the personalities from scene to scene and are all geniuses when required, and idiots 2 seconds later in order to create inciting incidents or problems to be overcome. The overall effect is the suspension of disbelief is thrown out the window and you are very aware that you are watching actors on a screen trying to make up a story. Some of the dialogue is so unnatural and is written as a lazy and overly direct way to try and tell you something about a character. Editing, score etc and some of the actors - very good. But all of the talent was let down by rubbish script development.
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21
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Breezy Vegas con film fun, with some iffy stuff.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About 21
Parents need to know that this breezy, fact-based drama about college students who use their math skills to count cards in Las Vegas may appeal to teens thanks to stars like Jim Sturgess (of Across the Universe) and Kate Bosworth. That said, the subject matter is pretty serious, and there are some fairly violent scenes -- a security officer punches counters with a closed, ring-bedecked fist -- as well as lots of smoking, drinking, swearing, and, of course, gambling. The students also meet up post-gambling at a strip club, and there are plenty of cleavage shots and some passionate clinches.
Read our full review by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Ben's decision to gamble as a means to an end. Was he right? Is it ever OK to bend the rules to accomplish something? Since it's not technically illegal to count cards, why is it so frowned upon? Do you think it's cheating or just a clever use of math skills? Is it easier to justify something like card counting if you're taking money away from a casino instead of a person? Does the movie glamorize Las Vegas and gambling? What do you think casinos are like in real life?
Our Members Say
See all 22 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Wow, really bad!
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
My favorite movie
I chose to write about the movie 21. This movie is suspensful, and very addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It has drama, action, and comedy all in one! You never know what is going to happen next. Just when you think one thing is going to happen, something completely different happens!The movie does have some abuse and a little bit of sexual content, although, all you ever see is kissing. This truly is a fantastic movie.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
THis was a swweeeettt movie a little violent,but really good!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Fun, fast-paced film about winning and losing big
Some of the main actors, such as Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth, will appeal to younger audiences, but perhaps think twice before taking your younger teens to this Vegas film. It's fun and it's inventive and you shouldn't miss it - but there is excessive drinking, partying, and the like. Language is mild (s--t was used a few times, but that was the max.), and there are brief romantic interludes, but other than that, 21 is a must-see. (:
Lives in FloridaI rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Great!
I loved it, and there were a few violent scenes, but they weren't bad at all (well, maybe a little..) The acting was great and there were several funny parts. Anyone 10 and older could see this movie, depending on the kid, maybe even 8 or 9. The only 'sex scenes' are some stippers, and kissing, maybe a COUPLE of suggestive jokes...
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
CSM is Over Cautious
Almost EVERY PG-13 Movie on CSM is either pause for 14 or pause for 15. A 12 year old could see this! Yes, they do make love but partial nudity!?! Come on! you see there neck and up! It is fine. The only thing is that there is a bit of cursing. NOT THAT MUCH! It is fine for any 12 year old to see this. GOD!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
an alright movie...
This movie had a good plot and it was very entertaining. They had some violence scenes and slight language but that doesn't bother me much, what bothers me is that they "hung out" at the strip club WAY too much. I don't think that part is approprite. But it was very good - kind of a thriller in ways. Thrilling and entertaining. But as I said earlier, the strip club took away from that.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
cool
i like it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
good movie
it was a good movie. not like GREAT but good. as for the quote "sex scenes" its not that bad. i mean they call sex KISSING for goddsakes. its not bad at all. but this movie is actually based off a real story, but stretched. one of the founders of a software called SolidWorks counted cards in Las Vegas when he was younger and got banned from every casino in Las Vegas except the MGM. shows how amazingly unfair some people are, i mean if youre smart, why not use it to your advantage? GOOD MOVIE i would def. see again.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
AMAZING MOOVIE
i liked it. It wuz good. i want to sea it agan
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
good
this was a good movie it was appropiate for my age. the language wasn't anymore than the avage pg-13 and the sexual content was only a 30 secound scene o shirtless kissing. so If you like casino movies than this is recomened
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Very Interesting!
I thought "21" was a very entertaining film. It was amazing how they could make something as dull as blackjack become exciting and thrilling. The sexual content wasn't that bad. The social behavior was at times unrealistic because most people just don't go around being THAT smart and being able to count cards but that made the movie even more interesting! I would recommend it to anyone who like the Ocean's movies or anything of the sort.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
greate
greate movie but theres a little bit of punching. i think it's okay for teens ages 12 and up
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I loved this movie!!!!!
okay.... me and a couple friends went to go see this movie and we all loved it. You like need to go see this movie. I did think that the violence was a little bit harsh, but its Vegas... what do you expect?
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