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The Sentinel

(2006, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Kim Basinger, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Decent thriller with crisp performances. Teens OK.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The villains outnumber the heroes, but heroes are mostly stalwart (save for the adulterers).
  • Violence:

    Shootings (body appears from overhead, blood on sidewalk beneath; another appears with blood on chest), chasing/running, knifing, explosions (Marine One, Presidential helicopter, shot down by missile); major, extended shootout at end, with President trapped in hotel stairwell and multiple bodies dropped.
  • Sex:

    A woman's bottom appears in close-up as she walks; a brief, passionate sex scene, with woman's blouse unbuttoned and kissing/embracing; discussion of illicit affair between First Lady and her Secret Service protector.
  • Language:

    Minor language ("hell"), obscene finger gesture.
  • Consumerism:

    Starbucks, brand-stores in mall (Subway, Seattle's Best, Radio Shack).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Ashtray filled with cigarette butts; question when an informant demands a million dollars: "What are you smoking?!" First Lady drinks whiskey.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Sentinel

Parents need to know that this movie includes several high-octane action sequences, with multiple murders by shooting, knifing, and explosion. The violence can be aggressive and several bodies appear bloodied (including a man with his throat cut). Two characters engage in an adulterous affair, revealed when a third party takes high-tech surveillance photos. Some mild sexual references and language.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the violence that is so common in action movies. Is it realistic? Is it necessary to engage or thrill the audience?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Awesome Action Thriller...On Par With THE FUGITIVE...

    This is an awesome movie. Jam packed with action, thrills, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this is one of the finest action thrillers I've seen. Michael Douglas plays a Secret Service agent falsely accused of plotting to assassinate the President. So, he's left trying to find the truth while evading his own men. Violence is the biggest issue in the movie. People are shot countless times, and most gunshots are fatal. Several dead bodies are seen, some with accompanying pools of blood. Several explosions as well. Language consists of several "d**n"s, "h**l"s, and some "s**t"s. Sex is minor: there is one very brief, non-graphic scene of passion between the First Lady and the Douglas character; their affair is a major plot point, resulting in Douglas's blackmail.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    It's 24 gone all wrong

    This film has a great cast. Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, and more compose an all star ensemble for the movie. What the movie lacks is a descent script and interesting characters. It’s a classic case of putting great actors in awful roles. The trailer promised interesting CIA tricks and hot chases. This movie delivers neither of those. What we get is a shoddy framing story that rambles and ends flat. You can see the ending coming from a mile away, which would be okay if you cared in the slightest about any of the characters. The movie contains bloodless violence and a scene of sensuality. Would I stop kids from seeing it, yes, but not because of the violence, because the film is god awful.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Very suspensful and fun.

    this movie contains multiple shootings deaths. Not a lot of blood but lots of violence. This movie is very action packed and I recommend it to everyone 12+

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    It's like the show 24, only in movie format

    if you like the show 24, you will definately like this movie. it's really fast paced and exciting, and that probably suprises some people coming from a 15 year old girl talking about an action movie...but I really liked it, and if you like quick, action packed, CIA/FBI kinda movies, this is a must see!!!!

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