Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this period action film earns its R rating with frequent scenes of hard-hitting, bloody violence. Weapons including swords, rocks, arrows, spears, spiky traps, chains, maces, and axes are used to decapitate, dismember, hang, beat, impale, stab, and crush victims (broken, rotting bodies are shown). Others die via drowning, avalanche, bear attack, falls, and more. Images of the mayhem range from aggressively chaotic to slow-motion poetic, with repeated shots of spurting blood (primarily from chests and necks). Most of the characters are bent on vengeance; the Vikings plan to exterminate the Native Americans (whom they call "savages") and are depicted as tall, dark monsters who tend to roar more than speak. When they do talk, they use a couple of mild swear words (in subtitles), including "bitch" and "damn."
Families can talk about the role of violence in the movie. Is it appropriate for the story that's being told? Which parts, if any, are gratuitous? How accurate do you think it is? Families can also discuss the enduring mythology of the white hero. How is it significant that Ghost is white instead of Native American? How does he struggle with his double heritage? What does he learn about vengeance?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs
Boasting a prettified brutality that rivals that of 300, PATHFINDER also explores a similarly basic theme: manly men pursuing revenge at any cost. Here, the warring factions are the Vikings (towering, grim, and armored) and the Wampanoag Indians of North America (nurturing, generous, and loin-clothed). Caught in between is Ghost, an orphaned Viking rescued by the Wampanoag chief's wife and destined to save his newfound "family."
Unfurling as a legend set around 1000 A.D., Ghost's story includes the usual touchstones: First identified as an enemy by the Native Americans ("His skin, his eyes: Like some kind of evil spirit that has never seen the sun"), he matures into a robust wannabe brave (played by Karl Urban) determined to prove himself to those who still see him as an outsider.
His chance comes tragically when the Vikings invade, destroying his village and killing his adoptive parents and adorable little sister. Ghost gets mad: All he wants is vengeance. Handily, he's been training for it throughout his young life -- he kept a sword from the wrecked ship he was discovered in and has continued to practice (even when troubled by flashbacks of his horrible father beating him for not killing an Indian boy).
Ghost turns to another tribe -- led by the venerable Pathfinder (Russell Means, yet again offering wisdom to a youthful upstart) -- for both support and doubt. The old shaman's daughter, Starfire (Moon Bloodgood), has a crush on the white boy, which eventually serves him very well, as she proves to be as fierce and capable a fighter as any of her fellow tribesmen.
The fight goes on for most of the movie as Ghost confronts his father's old warmongering partner, Gunnar (Clancy Brown) -- whose horned helmet isn't historically accurate but conforms to popular stereotypes of Vikings. After lots of cacophonous violence (blood sprays, eye-pluckings, impalings, and more), the movie ends with a successor for Pathfinder in place, a white hero anointed, and a muted lesson on the costs of vengeance.
Fans might want to see the movie this one is based on -- Nils Gaup's Ofelas (Sweden's 1987 Oscar nominee). More sword-fighting heroics are on display in Lord of the Rings and Conan the Barbarian. Or for another film about Native Americans confronting white invaders, try The New World.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentMan and woman lie close to each other, apparently nude (they're trying to keep warm, but they're also the designated romantic couple). |
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ViolenceViolence is alternately represented in lyrical and hard-hitting imagery. A child is discovered in a wrecked Viking ship among corpses; battle scenes include spearing, decapitation, arrows, knives, swords, trampling, falling, an arm getting lopped off, throats being cut, a bear attack, impaling, beating, kicking, hanging (bodies displayed after death), drowning, and crushing by an avalanche. Frequent shots of blood spurting. Vikings throw woman against a log as if to rape her, but the hero steps in. |
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LanguageJust a few curse words used by Vikings (in subtitles): "damn" and "bitch." |
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Social BehaviorThe Vikings are all-around grisly and evil; most of the Native Americans are stereotypical presented as being nobly in tune with the land. The protagonist is caught between both groups and is vengeful until he's killed all his enemies. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoBrief use of medicinal herbs/smoke during a a healing ritual. |
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