 | 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. |
Bowling for Columbine
- Review Date: August 17, 2003
- R
- Genre: Documentary
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Must-see gun violence documentary. 17+ only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie's subject is violence and it includes explicit real-life footage of the shootings at Columbine. It also includes very strong language and brief references to drinking, smoking, and sex.
What's the story?
Filmmaker Michael Moore's documentary examines gun violence in America. Moore interviews a wide range of Americans, including shock-rock star Marilyn Manson (whose music was tied to the two boys responsible for the Columbine High School massacre), NRA leader Charlton Heston, the brother of Terry Nichols (Timothy McVeigh's co-conspirator), and many others. Moore is deeply concerned and the ultimate bleeding heart liberal, but he is not an ideologue. He learned to shoot in high school and is a life member of the NRA. When a bank gives him a rifle for opening a new account, he casually checks the action while he asks if anyone ever considered that maybe guns and banks were not the best possible combination. Much of the time he lets the story tell itself, but sometimes, Moore becomes the story, as when he brings two young survivors of the Columbine shooting to K-Mart's national headquarters to protest their selling of ammunition, including the bullets still in the bodies of the two young men. After a day of deliberation, a K-Mart spokeswoman reads a statement.
Is it any good?
Any documentary about gun violence in America in which the single most intelligent and insightful comment is made by a guy named after a dead beauty queen and a serial killer is worth a look. This documentary is more mosaic than polemic and mordantly funny, though it does veer a bit over the top when Moore tries to link television producer Dick Clark to the murder of a six-year-old by a six-year-old, because the boy who killed his classmate had a mother who worked at one of Clark's restaurants in a welfare-to-work program. And his relentless questioning of a clearly memory-impaired Charlton Heston, leaving a photo of the murdered girl in Heston's home after Heston stalks out of the interview, has the unintended result of making Heston seem more sympathetic.
But Moore's movie confronts complex questions fearlessly, even as it acknowledges that it does not have the answers. Why do our fellow North Americans in Canada, who have proportionately the same number of guns, shoot each other only one-tenth as often? Why are Americans fearful even out of proportion to the amount of violence we subject ourselves to?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the questions Moore raises. Why do Americans shoot each other so much more often than any other country? Why don't Canadians lock their front doors? Why was Moore successful in persuading K-Mart not to sell ammunition any more? What can you do to try to reduce violence or to change other things that matter to you?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Amazing
this movie is definatley one of the best ive ver seen and was both funny and scary at the same time but i think that michael morre is great in the way he did this film it definetly earned that oscar. Mairlyn manson though creepy raises good point in his interview i think the cartoon was hillarious GREAT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Propaganda
Very disappointing that the CSM reviewer fails even to mention Moore's agenda, his dubious use of footage and statistics, and his hostility toward those who disagree with him. This movie is pure propaganda and to show it to children is wrong. No one should make us his mind based on hearing one very slanted side--and shame on CSM for endorsing this very slanted and dishonest piece of work simply because they (apparently) endorse Mr. Moore's goals. Should make every visitor question the judgment and motives of CSM on any movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
More More MORE LIE!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok. I have listed everything here as BAD!!!!!!!!!!! He is using Democrat propaganda to trick you into thinking that the Republicans paid these guys to do this. Yah rite..............
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A must see for right wingers
This film is ingenious not only in its humor, but displaying the effects of gun violence on people. There are no explanations, just information and extremely powerful video. Micheal Moore is the king of attacking the right wing in an entertaining, ironic, and humorous way. He reminds me a lot of Abby Hoffman.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Enter with a open mind...
Unlike what much of the right-wing propagandists say about him, Michael Moore know how to make a thought-provoking and entertaining film. And he does his research. His website has pages of fact-corroborating links and bibliographical information. I do not always agree with him, but when he makes a point, he gives good reasons. Reviewers at this site who have trashed this movie must be taken with a grain of salt...I am suspicious that they never actually watched a film made by Moore, but are defaming him (and his work) based on heresay. I trust the kids' reviews more.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
not as bad as they say
a great message. common sense gives it a 17+. i give it a 14+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Extremely moving
This movie was great! It made me see how there is no reason to have so much gun violence. I love how Michael Moore outsmarts so many people in this movie -- he is great!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Save for the older teens
A good movie, but I'm waiting till my kids are older to share it with them. Since my older son tends to be mature, I may let him see it before he's 17, but on average, I think waiting is best for most kids. There is one terrific conversation in the movie about how the miseries of high school don't matter after graduation. For any kids who feel out of place and/or bullied, it's a good message. And lots of good discussion material for kids as they approach graduation and going out into the world.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This is a must see for all high schoolers. Although I think Micheal Moore is a little single minded and fairly rude, he makes a good documentary and a great point. This really goes in depth to show just how common gun violence is in America.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Michael Moore |
| Cast: | Charlton Heston, Dick Clark, Michael Moore |
| Genre: | Documentary |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 18, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | August 19, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | some violent images and language |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
