 | 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. |
DOA: Dead or Alive
- Review Date: September 24, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Sexed-up game adaptation is heavy on bikinis.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie (based on the same-named video game) is full of incessant, mostly mindless action (though not too much blood), much of which seems to be designed to showcase girls in bikinis and underwear. In fact, there's a fair amount of sex-related content for a movie aimed at kids -- including brief profile shots of a woman's breasts, characters embracing and flirting in bed, the assumption that two women are lesbians, and more. There's also some implied drinking, as well as several uses of words like "s--t," "ass," and "hell."
What's the story?
DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE follows a grueling competition on a heavily-guarded island overseen by the odious Donovan (Eric Roberts). Ninja princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) overcomes a courtyard full of warriors in order to find out the truth about her martial arts-star brother, who vanished at the last DOA contest. Professional wrestler Tina (Jaime Pressly) knocks out a crew of pirates who arrogantly think they can take on a pretty girl sunning herself on her yacht. And assassin-thief Christie (Holly Valance) takes out a squad of thugs in suits, then almost gets away with the loot until she's thwarted by her boyfriend/rival Max (Matthew Marsden).
Is it any good?
Directed by respected martial arts choreographer Corey Yuen, DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE is a series of fight scenes strung together by a pretense of a plot. Video games aren't renowned for yielding complex movie characters, and in keeping with such low expectations the three primary girls in show lots of skin and little in the way of motive or deep thinking. The girls don't so much bond as admire one another's skills, which they all flaunt frequently. Only one non-girl opponent stands out, Zack (Brian J. White), who is outsmarted by Tina despite the deliriously low IQ levels of all participants.
The plot, such as it is, includes some rudimentary familial tensions: Tina fights with her father (also a pro wrestler); Kasumi believes her brother is not dead, as has been reported; and good girl (and competitor) Helena (Sarah Carter) suspects that her uncle Donovan is up to no good. Like, duh.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about video game-based movies. What's their appeal? What do they have in common? Why do you think filmmakers want to adapt video games? What sorts of plots or characters do they provide? Does this movie's story work better on the big screen or on a console? Why? What audience do you think it's trying to attract?
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AGE
STUPID DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE WATCHING THIS FILM LIKE I DID
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AGE
awesome
good movie. the matial arts and figting is also awesome. i think it is good for a rent then a buy
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AGE
An ok movie for ALL ages
This film was actually a LOT more than expected. I thought it was going to stink after I read this review made by CSM; but it turned out like a great family movie.
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AGE
Stupid action flick focuses on martial arts and lacks story
This movie is a pure waste of time.
Nonstop martial arts fights and other violence, girls are dressed up in revealing outfits in order to attract and seem like objects of lust.
Violence never ends up bloody, sometimes we hear bones breaking, though the characters come out unharmed.
This is a movie for people who are not interested in the art of films, rather immature kids or men in their mid-life crisis.
I hate this movie and there is nothing more to say.
Suitable for viewers 12 and up, as they will be able to handle it.
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Andrew Adamson |
| Cast: | Devon Aoki, Eric Roberts, Jaime Pressly |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 15, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | September 11, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | pervasive martial arts and action violence, some sexuality and nudity. |
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