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Annapolis (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

Naval cadet becomes a man in unoriginal drama.

parents & educators say
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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.

Positive messages: Growing up is good, but whining, arguing, and resisting authority are not so good.
Violence: Boxing scenes are fast and hard-hitting; other scenes show physical tests and some fighting among cadets. A suicide attempt.
Sex: Brief kissing, some girls dance seductively at a bar. Reference to a prostitute.
Language: Mild cursing ("hell") and some crude language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Beer-drinking in bar scenes, one scene with smoking.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In ANNAPOLIS, second generation shipbuilder Jake (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 (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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Justin Lin
Cast: James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Vicellous Shannon
Genre: Drama
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: January 27, 2006
DVD release: June 27, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some violence, sexual content and language.
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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swim2win&h ...
adult
 
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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omar
teen, 15 years old
 
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
shadow44
 
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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jordanrocks11
teen, 14 years old
 
good
good.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
tpainzbro
teen, 18 years old
 
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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crissy
adult
 
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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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)

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