Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this violent Jet Li action movie -- which is full of body-smashing, martial arts-style fights, plus shooting, punching, knifing, and car crashes -- isn't for kids. Bare-breasted, thong-clad club dancers serve as a visual indication of the villains' corruption (one woman is given as a "present" to Rogue, but no sexual activity is shown). Jack smokes cigarettes, especially at the beginning of the movie, and there's plenty of drinking, though much is in the background. Language is frequent, usually angry, and mostly consists of "f--k."
Families can talk about the appeal of violent action movies. Why are filmgoers so entranced by fight scenes? Does the style of fighting affect how much you enjoy watching it? Families can also discuss the concept of revenge, which the movie revolves around. What is gained by revenge? Is violent vengeance ever justified? Parents, talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy -- even teens. Point out that consequences exist -- even if it makes you feel humorless. The fact that violent movies stimulate parts of the brain is worth a reminder.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs
The "high concept" of WAR is simple: Pit Jason Statham and Jet Li against each other in a series of fights, and watch the fireworks. In his feature film debut, director Philip G. Atwell (best known for directing music videos for Eminem and 50 Cent) displays a fondness for fast cuts and close-ups, with an emphasis on big sound effects and machismo. He fleshes out the movie's fundamental revenge story with international jet-setting and plot points that have family members turning into both loyal fighters and victims.
The film begins as San Francisco-based FBI agents Jack (Statham) and Tom (Terry Chen) take on two gangs at once: the Chinese Triads, led by Chang (John Lone), and the Japanese Yakuza, headed up by Shiro (Ryo Ishibashi) and his cold-blooded daughter, Kira (Devon Aoki). The sheer number of large weapons and grim-looking men with tattoos is daunting, but Tom and Jack are fearless and swift, even risking the wrath of legendary assassin Rogue (Li).
When Tom (along with his whole family) is brutally murdered, Jack assumes a vendetta his wife calls "obsessive," especially when, years later, he's separated from her and not showing up at his son's sports games. Still, Jack is an action hero on a mission, and so hi own family is soon left behind as he investigates clue after clue with his task force, getting ever closer to mysterious, plastic-surgery-altered Rogue.
War's rudimentary plot doesn't go much beyond this set-up, though the fierce avengers do suffer repeated and devastating losses -- whether family members (fathers, wives, children, brothers), limbs, or self-respect.
More disappointing are the limits the film places on its two charismatic stars. Li is yet again required only to look mysterious and speak very little, which isn't exactly an acting stretch (for more range, see him in Unleashed), and Statham is relegated to charging around and watching his young, loyal, multicultural team members picked off one by one. Though frontloaded with fights and crashes, the formula actually seems to slow down the speedy action.
Fans might prefer other Li films, including Romeo Must Die, The One, and The Contract Killer; you can check out Statham's previous action-packed work in The Transporter and Crank.
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Sexual ContentBar scenes feature topless, thong-wearing dancers; Chang sends Rogue a prostitute: She strips off her dress and reveals giant breasts and a thong. Cops joke about women on the street being prostitutes (one refers to the other's mother as "working tonight"). |
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ViolenceViolence is incessant, beginning with cops battling Yakuza members (hand-to-hand fighting and kicking, shooting, stabbing). An early scene shows the brutal murder of Tom's family (frightened wife and child, burning house), which sets up the movie's vengeance theme. Rogue's assaults include throat-cutting, slicing off an ear, shooting, and sticking a sword through a hand. A dog with a bomb on its collar explodes; Jack tortures a suspect by pushing at a bloody wound; a fighting ring shows men slamming against the cage; Kira wields sharp blades; when a man is shot in the head, blood spurts graphically; a father's head appears in a box sent to his daughter. |
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LanguageLots of typical action-movie profanity, some of it subtitled, including frequent uses of "f--k," and fewer instances of "s--t," "hell," "damn," "son of a bitch," and "ass." Also a couple of slangy references to genitalia ("pr--k," "p---y"). |
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Social BehaviorCops, crime gangs, and civilians betray each other repeatedly, then seek vengeance in the most violent forms. |
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CommercialismMostly expensive cars, including a sleek Spyker C8 Spyder. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoJack smokes several times; his partner notes that it's an "oral fixation" that he should give up. The villain smokes several times as well. Various background characters drink in bars, some "bikers" drink on the sidewalk, and Chang offers Rogue a drink a couple of times, but he refuses. |
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