Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this pointless movie (based on the same-named video game) is full of incessant, mostly mindless action (though not too much blood), much of which seems to be designed to showcase girls in bikinis and underwear. In fact, there's a fair amount of sex-related content for a movie aimed at kids -- including brief profile shots of a woman's breasts, characters embracing and flirting in bed, the assumption that two women are lesbians, and more. There's also some implied drinking, as well as several uses of words like "s--t," "ass," and "hell."
Families can talk about video game-based movies. What's their appeal? What do they have in common? Why do you think filmmakers want to adapt video games? What sorts of plots or characters do they provide? Does this movie's story work better on the big screen or on a console? Why? What audience do you think it's trying to attract?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs
Video games aren't renowned for yielding complex movie characters. In keeping with such low expectations, the three primary girls in DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE arrive on screen showing lots of skin and little in the way of motive or deep thinking. During the first three fight sequences, they're invited, one by one, to the titular contest, which is set on an island full of surveillance and body-evaluating gizmos that are overseen by the odious Donovan (Eric Roberts).
At least the girls all look very fit. Ninja princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) overcomes a courtyard full of warriors to escape her kingdom in order to find out what happened to her martial arts-star brother Hayate (Collin Chou), who's been missing since the last DOA contest. Professional wrestler Tina (Jaime Pressly) knocks out a crew of pirates who arrogantly think they can take on a pretty girl sunning herself on her yacht. And assassin-thief Christie (Holly Valance) takes out a squad of thugs in suits (first stunning them with her state of near-undress), then almost gets away with the loot until she's thwarted by her boyfriend/rival Max (Matthew Marsden).
Arriving on the island for the competition, the girls don't so much bond as admire one another's skills, which they all flaunt frequently: The movie, directed by respected martial arts choreographer Corey Yuen, is a series of fight scenes strung together by a pretense of a plot. Only one non-girl opponent stands out, green-mohawked Zack (Brian J. White), who does his best to seduce Tina in a hot tub, only to be embarrassed when she outsmarts him. And that's saying something, given the deliriously low level of smarts displayed by all participants.
The plot, such as it is, includes some rudimentary familial tensions: Tina fights with her father (also a pro wrestler); Kasumi believes her brother is not dead, as has been reported; and good girl (and competitor) Helena (Sarah Carter) suspects that her uncle Donovan is up to no good. Like, duh.
For a better dose of girl-powered action, try Charlie's Angels. And if you like Yuen, go for The Transporter.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentWomen wear bikinis and/or underwear, showing lots of cleavage; men appear in underwear, too. Christie first appears in the shower, then a towel as she battles intruders (she slips her panties on to distract them, eventually tossing her bra into the air, which then falls onto her naked form in slow motion, accompanied by brief profile shots of her breasts -- but they're suggestive rather than explicit). Max and Christie embrace in bed and make flirty talk (the movie then cuts to a presumably post-sex scene in bed); Zack "comes on" to Tina in hot tub; she flirts, then leaves with his clothes (he gets out naked, covering his genitals). Seeing two women in bed prompts a father to assume that they're lesbian lovers. Battle between two women takes place in rain and slow motion (wet T-shirt effect); Christie and Max kiss passionately; closing kiss inspires Tina to tell a couple to "get a room." |
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ViolenceVideo-gamey violence includes kicks, karate chops, punches, body slams, flips, falls from great heights, sword fights, crotch grabs and crotch kicks, needle stabs/pricks, head-butts, bites, breaking bones (with crackly sound effects), eye gougings, martial arts weapons (stars, poles, etc.), and explosions. Pirates appear with guns but don't use them. Father and daughter fight it out in a river; two girls fighting throw each other around in the mud and rain. The island explodes at the end (in slow motion, of course). |
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LanguageSeveral uses of "s--t," plus "ass," "hell," and "son of a b--" (it's cut off in mid-utterance). |
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Social BehaviorInane motives are the primary offense here, though the fact that just about everyone joins in the ongoing melee means there are no moral or intellectual alternatives. |
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CommercialismOne big promotion for the video game it's based on. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters drink what looks to be beer, champagne, and wine. |
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