 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Annapolis
- Review Date: June 26, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Naval cadet becomes a man in unoriginal drama.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film includes several hectic, noisy boxing scenes, with the camera taking alternate points of view for punchers and punchees. The fast cuts and framing make these images potentially disturbing for younger viewers. Some of the training rituals for the Annapolis cadets are brutal (falling in mud and falling off obstacles in slow motion, sweating and groaning). An officer has a cadet get into a body bag and be zipped up, to show other cadets their responsibility to their charges. Depressed cadet jumps out a window. Characters drink alcohol in a bar, a romantic couple exchanges gazes and kisses in pretty lighting. One prostitution reference.
What's the story?
In ANNAPOLIS, second generation shipbuilder Jake (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/James-Franco/ ">James Franco) aspires to be a U.S. Naval officer. Though his father Bill (Brian Goodman) discourages such dreaming, Jake applies and gets in. At school, Jake learns to get along with his multicultural bunkmates: insecure Twins (Vicellous Shannon), self-loving Estrada (Wilmer Calderon), and hardworking Loo (Roger Fan). While Lt. Cmdr. Burton (Donnie Wahlberg) quietly supports him, boxing coach McNally (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/Chi-McBride/ ">Chi McBride) treats Jake like a plebe. At the same time, Jake finds trouble with Midshipman Lt. Cole (Tyrese Gibson), a most excellent boxer, former marine, and hardnosed unit leader, and imminent romance with another older classmate, Ali (Jordana Brewster). Jake learns important lessons, including how to persevere even when facing adversity.
Is it any good?
A masculine melodrama, Annapolis suffers from a script that is both formulaic and inconsistent. Predictably, Jake runs smack into the requisite inspirational father figures (see also: Louis Gossett, Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman).
Roger Fan, who played Daric in director Justin Lin's previous, better film, Better Luck Tomorrow, is charismatic and could have easily pulled off the lead role in this film, and Tyrese Gibson turns in a truly compelling performance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the relationship between Jake and his working class father, Bill. How does the son's aspiration first threaten Dad, then make him proud? How does the movie use traditional means to define "masculinity" -- boxing, physical tests, dominance over other men? How does the film's diverse cast suggest that different individuals might work together?
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AGE
i cried!
this is a very good movie, with a little of everything...
it came across to me mostly about determination and friendship.
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April 9, 2008
AGE
I would waste a million dollars renting this over and over again.
this was an amazing movie about never giving up and never listening to bad things other people say. But unlike the 8 year old said in the other review it is for kids 11 and under. I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND A PERSON TO SEE THIS IF THEY ARE YOUNGER THAN 11.
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AGE
Title Does not show in movie
It be better if called The Brigades. I mean barely any outlook in the academy and traditions. All boxing. I mean acting good plot not good.
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AGE
THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE
THIS MOVIE SHOWS WHAT A PERSON CAN DO WHEN A PERSON DOESNT FIT IN, THE BOY IN THIS MOVIE SHOWS GREAT LESSONS HE DOESNT GIVE UP HE HAD ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT GOING TO THE ACADAMY HE GOES TO THE ACADAMY HE LEARNS THAT ITS NOT AS EASY AS IT SEEMS... HE MAKES FRIENDS WITH A HEAVY BLACK GUY HE HELPS THE BLACK GUY OVERCOME HIS EATING PROBLEMS
AND HELP HIM W/ HIS OBSTICALS FOR THE P/T THAT HE HAS TO DO IN ORDER TO MAKE IT THIS SHOWS WHAT REAL FRIENDSHIP IS!!! THERE WAS A FIGHT BETWEEN THE MAIN GUY AND THE SARGENT! BUT THE ENDED UP WORKING THEIR PROBLEMS OUT WICH SHOWS WHAT 2 TOTALLY DIFFERANT PEOPLE CAN OVERCOME THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Justin Lin |
| Cast: | James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Vicellous Shannon |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 27, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | June 27, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some violence, sexual content and language. |
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