Reservoir Dogs (R)

Raw and bloody. For adults.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Artisan Entertainment
  • Directed By: Quentin Tarantino
  • Cast: Harvey Keitel, Chris Penn, Tim Roth
  • Running Time: 100 minutes
  • Release Date: 01/01/1992
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 03/18/2003
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: strong violence and language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a film that focuses on a group of jewel thieves in the aftermath of a botched robbery. The dialogue features a constant stream of obscenities as the characters verbally spar with each other. Copious amounts of blood are featured throughout the entire film as a character is shown bleeding to death. Another character is tortured by being tied to a chair, having his ear cut off with a knife, and having gasoline poured over him with the intention of setting him on fire. The final shootout among the thieves is tense, emotional, and bloody.

Families can talk about the violence and language here. Would the story have been as powerful if it had been less explicit? Do you think the mature material makes it more appealing to younger audiences?

Message

Social Behavior:

Most characters are unrepentant jewel thieves.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Characters smoking tobacco and drink. A character smuggles a suitcase of drugs past police.

Violence

Gunfights, bleeding wounds, sadistic torture.

Sex

Language

Almost every line of dialogue is peppered with obscenities. Sexual joking and sexually-based insults traded by characters.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by David Gurney

RESERVOIR DOGS is the film that put Quentin Tarantino into the cinematic spotlight. Not only did he write and direct the film, but he is also featured in the role of Mr. Brown, one of a seven-member group of jewel thieves. His trademarks of amplified violence and vulgar dialogue are in full force, as are the flurry of obscure to not-so-obscure pop culture references woven into the dialogue. Cleverly, and famously, the heist is never actually shown, and in truth, the crime itself is not the point. The presence of an undercover cop amongst the thieves exists as the dramatic crux of the film.

Is it any good?

4
Resevoir Dogs ranks as one of the finest, and most gut-wrenching, crime dramas ever, but is certainly not for the faint of heart. Even at this early stage in his career, Tarantino does expertly builds tension, interweaving scenes of the aftermath of the thieves' foiled heist with scenes depicting them getting ready for the heist.

The film also features great performances from a knockout cast including Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, and Tim Roth.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 02/12/08 by thebaloob123 Kid contributor, age 14

An Amazing Movie!

This is a classic film, Quentin Tarantino's masterpeice is a bit intese but I saw a few months ago and it didn't bother me. The gore is realistic, but not over the top. The swearing made sence to me (If I were in the situations in the film I would be fraeking out) The sexual conent is a bit iffy, there is a few very graphic conversations (one about the song "Like a Virgin") but the violence is not gloified by any means, the swearing is basically justified (minus the racism) and the sexual content is just iffy. Overall I would give it a PG-13
4


Posted on 01/31/08 by Aarona Kid contributor, age 17

Short but Sweet

I saw the movie for the first time yesterday and felt that I needed to write a review. It's a good movie that has been fit into 1hr 30min with the plot being explained indirectly. There is an immense amount of blood due to the aftermath of the "heist". A police officer's ear is cut off and can be seen quite visually. Frequent uses of the F-word are also present in different variations. Not the best movie to watch with younger people. But one of Tarantino's best.
5

Posted on 08/23/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Great Movie, Not for My Age Group

I must say, this was one of the greatest films ever.It did leave me with some burning questions, though. What happened to Mr. Blue and Mr. Brown? Where did Mr. Pink hide the diamonds? What actually happened at the heist? I think if you love Quentin Tarantino, this is a must see. Probably not for under 17. EXTREME gore and language.
4


Posted on 04/25/07 by moviefan33 Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 04/03/07 by nnowgoo Kid contributor, age 13

Tarintino at his best

This film is truly amazing. I absolutely loved it. The acting, the WRITING, the directing, everything made Quinten Tarintino's first movie, one of his best. Parents need to know that this movie is over-the-top violent. There is one scene where one of the criminals tortures a cop and cuts his ear off. Also almost every other line has some kind of swear word. I loved it. I recommend it to mature 13 year olds and up. No one younger.
5


Posted on 09/12/06 by bballdiaries Kid contributor, age 12

SICKEST MOVIE EVER

well i gotta say i was worried about how violent this mivie was gonna be , be this movie was soo good that , i wasnt even thinking about it, half the time, there was the ear (i haaated it!) but other than that this movie was flawless ingenious terriffic Best indie movie EVER!!!!!
5


Posted on 09/05/06 by familyguy123 Kid contributor, age 12

See all 7 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 02/12/08 by thebaloob123 Kid contributor, age 14

An Amazing Movie!

This is a classic film, Quentin Tarantino's masterpeice is a bit intese but I saw a few months ago and it didn't bother me. The gore is realistic, but not over the top. The swearing made sence to me (If I were in the situations in the film I would be fraeking out) The sexual conent is a bit iffy, there is a few very graphic conversations (one about the song "Like a Virgin") but the violence is not gloified by any means, the swearing is basically justified (minus the racism) and the sexual content is just iffy. Overall I would give it a PG-13
4


Posted on 01/31/08 by Aarona Kid contributor, age 17

Short but Sweet

I saw the movie for the first time yesterday and felt that I needed to write a review. It's a good movie that has been fit into 1hr 30min with the plot being explained indirectly. There is an immense amount of blood due to the aftermath of the "heist". A police officer's ear is cut off and can be seen quite visually. Frequent uses of the F-word are also present in different variations. Not the best movie to watch with younger people. But one of Tarantino's best.
5

Posted on 08/23/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Great Movie, Not for My Age Group

I must say, this was one of the greatest films ever.It did leave me with some burning questions, though. What happened to Mr. Blue and Mr. Brown? Where did Mr. Pink hide the diamonds? What actually happened at the heist? I think if you love Quentin Tarantino, this is a must see. Probably not for under 17. EXTREME gore and language.
4


Posted on 04/25/07 by moviefan33 Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 04/03/07 by nnowgoo Kid contributor, age 13

Tarintino at his best

This film is truly amazing. I absolutely loved it. The acting, the WRITING, the directing, everything made Quinten Tarintino's first movie, one of his best. Parents need to know that this movie is over-the-top violent. There is one scene where one of the criminals tortures a cop and cuts his ear off. Also almost every other line has some kind of swear word. I loved it. I recommend it to mature 13 year olds and up. No one younger.
5


Posted on 09/12/06 by bballdiaries Kid contributor, age 12

SICKEST MOVIE EVER

well i gotta say i was worried about how violent this mivie was gonna be , be this movie was soo good that , i wasnt even thinking about it, half the time, there was the ear (i haaated it!) but other than that this movie was flawless ingenious terriffic Best indie movie EVER!!!!!
5


Posted on 09/05/06 by familyguy123 Kid contributor, age 12
See all 7 kids reviews >
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