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The 6th Day (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

A decent movie for teens, if they can endure it.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that a lifelike doll gets shot and has her head blown off during a tense chase sequence. Adam's wife is rather thanklessly portrayed as an unquestioning spouse. Characters of color are limited to (evil) security guards, many of which are killed. One use of "f--k." Several innocent characters are blown away; one religious Adventist avenges an infraction of God's law by killing the offenders (along with innocent folks). Smoking of cigars. Adam watches his wife get romantic with his clone. Hank has a holographic girlfriend who wears skimpy clothing and wants sex all the time; we only see her unzipping his fly. Excessive violence -- mainly injuries and deaths from lasergun fire. One man is killed by a speeding car and has his neck broken. A pro football player suffers a broken spine after being tackled. A little girl is threatened by Dobermans. Lots of fisticuffs, some involving a woman.

Positive messages: Adam's wife is rather thanklessly portrayed as an unquestioning spouse. Characters of color are limited to (evil) security guards, many of which are killed.
Violence: Excessive---mainly injuries and deaths from lasergun fire. One man is killed by a speeding car and has his neck broken. A pro football player suffers a broken spine after being tackled. A little girl is threatened by Dobermans. Lots of fisticuffs, some in
Sex: Adam watches his wife get romantic with his clone. Hank has a holographic girlfriend who wears skimpy clothing and wants sex all the time; we only see her unzipping his fly.
Language: Relatively mild. One use of the f-word.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking of cigars.
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More on The 6th Day

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about cloning, in terms of what is possible and real today, and what the future of cloning might be.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this sci-fi action thriller, cloning is a reality -- but while food and pets can be cloned, it's illegal to clone humans. Helicopter pilot Adam (Arnold Schwarzenegger) learns that someone's been breaking this law and, after surviving what should have been a fatal accident, returns home to find a clone of himself. Now he must dig deeper into the mystery and find out who's responsible for the clones and what their mission really is.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
For a movie that claims the sanctity of human life seriously, THE 6TH DAY is gleefully homicidal. Clones and non-clones are dispatched left and right, as though dealing out death were part of a devoted father's everyday responsibilities. In regard to the ethical quagmire of human cloning, the movie makes almost no sense. Adam is horrified by the very possibility of such an unnatural practice. And yet, by the movie's end, he has formed a partnership with his clone (a role previously occupied by his murdered buddy), proving that narcissism is the ultimate form of friendship.

But The 6th Day doesn't entirely lack cleverness. In one scene, Adam visits a RePet franchise and is told that, via the miracle of cloning, he can have his dead dog back new and improved. And there's the family fridge that automatically notifies users of dwindling supplies. There are also a few cool effects scenes, with remote-flown helicopters and amniotic tanks full of "blank" human forms, waiting for DNA infusions. For teens and adults happy to sit through any Schwarzenegger vehicle, this is an okay movie, but those seeking coherence and a touch of plausibility should look elsewhere.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Roger Spottiswood
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, Robert Duvall
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 130 minutes
Theatrical release: March 27, 2001
DVD release: March 27, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: strong action violence, brief strong language and some sensuality.
This review was written by Randy White
 
 

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MovieLover4Lyfe
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13
 
i'm not a big arnold fan, i'd probly skip this one..
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16
 
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