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The Guardian

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Waterlogged rescue flick is nothing new.

updated 10.15.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    An arrogant young swimmer learns to support his team and make hard choices in rescue situations; a lonely veteran swimmer trains youngsters to take up his heroic legacy.
  • Violence :

    Several violent storms at sea; flashbacks show the dangers of Coast Guard rescue-swimming; a rescuer has to punch a hysterical victim; a couple of rescuers die; a helicopter crashes and explodes; a trainer is punched in the nose and bleeds; a couple of barfights with Navy sailors leave Jake (and then Ben) bloodied and bruised; training is hard (in freezing water, holding breath, swimming to the point of exhaustion).
  • Sex :

    A fairly young couple engages in sexual activity, including passionate kisses and some playful rolling in bed, wearing underwear and mostly under the covers.
  • Language:

    One "f--k" several other profanities ("damn," "s--t," "a--hole," etc.).
  • Consumerism:

    Wild Turkey liquor bottle is visible.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink in bars to get drunk; some vomiting; Ben chews Vicodins to kill physical and emotional pain; some cigarette smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Guardian

Parents need to know that this action drama includes several harrowing scenes of storms and sinking boats at sea. Rescue swimmers valiantly try to save victims, but some deaths occur on screen (not bloody, but sad and -- in one case -- quite disturbing). Kids with fears about water should probably see something else. Sailors and swimmers argue and draw blood in fistfights. A couple falls in love and is shown kissing and in bed (no explicit sex, but tumbling under blankets and some underwear shots). Protagonists drink, take painkillers, and use occasional profanity.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about ways to deal with trauma. How does the movie make the case that focusing on the future (in the form of students to be taught and lives to be saved) helps Ben overcome his guilt, anger, and frustration? What are other ways -- both successful and unsuccessful -- that people deal with traumatic events? How do Ben and Jake's similarities (ambition, competitiveness, tragic pasts) make them ideal partners? What other movies have used a similar structure (tough veteran mentors young hot shot)? Families can also discuss the work of the Coast Guard, including the unit's heroic rescues on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Yikes!!! 2 stars CSM??? C'mon! 5 all the way!

    My all time favortite, if there is a more aspiring movie outthere i have yet to see it. If yor kids are interested in seeing it and are 11 or up say yes the ending will make you cry but then bring a smile to your face. I had no idea wat these guys did untill seeing this how much they go through for us. There is some language including a F**k, violence is there but not much, but there peril and tense rescueing scenes, All arounda great, inspiring and stunning movie.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Yikes!!! 2 stars CSM??? C'mon! 5 all the way!

    My all time favortite, if there is a more aspiring movie outthere i have yet to see it. If yor kids are interested in seeing it and are 11 or up say yes the ending will make you cry but then bring a smile to your face. I had no idea wat these guys did untill seeing this how much they go through for us. There is some language including a F**k, violence is there but not much, but there peril and tense rescueing scenes, All arounda great, inspiring and stunning movie.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    another great movie

    This movie is just great. It has a nice message and ending and is just an instant fav or a movie at the top of your list. Its a movie that makes u appreciate what rescue swimmers do (or make me aware of them in the first place with me, lol) and is just a good movie <3

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    tight

    this movie was tight best movie

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Delaware
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

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