 | 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. |
Collateral Damage
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Schwarzenegger in very violent vigilante film.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie is very violent, with extreme peril. Many characters are killed, including a child. A character is killed by having a poisonous snake forced down his throat. A character's ear is bitten off and spit out. The movie has strong language, and references to drug trade. The jitters of a character who appears to have had an overdose of cocaine are supposed to be funny.
What's the story?
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Gordy, a fireman whose wife and son are killed when a bomb goes off in a terrorist attack. As he becomes convinced that the government will not do anything to bring justice to the man responsible, a Colombian nicknamed "The Wolf," Gordon decides to get justice for himself, by finding The Wolf and killing him.
Is it any good?
The original release of COLLATERAL DAMAGE was delayed following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It may still be too soon -- in fact, it may never be possible to be as casual about fictional terrorism again. The movie is too close to reality to be able to enjoy it as pure entertainment and too far from reality to be able to get any feeling of satisfaction from it.
It is very formulaic. Gordy is told of the insurmountable obstacles. He surmounts them. Viewers see how bad a guy the bad guy really is. Gordy is very clever and utterly unstoppable. The movie tries to make a connection between Gordon and The Wolf. Both are formerly gentle and loving men who became killers after losing children. The Wolf even asks Gordon how they are different. Gordon replies, "Because I am just going to kill you." The best parts of the movie are the brief appearances by John Turturro as a Canadian mechanic and John Leguizamo as a charming cocaine producer. The decision not to allow Gordon to carry a weapon provides for some moments of creativity in the plot. But Arnold is getting too old for this kind of thing, and, given our recent experiences, audiences may feel that they are, too.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the impulse for revenge and how to determine the best way to respond to terrorism. Were any of The Wolf's claims legitimate, even if his tactics were not? Do all conflicts create "collateral damage?"
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AGE
great movie
you like action watch this movie you wont regret it 15 and over for intense violence and some strong language
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Andrew Davis |
| Cast: | Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Leguizamo, John Turturro |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 2, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | October 30, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | extensive violence and language |
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