 | 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. |
Firewall
- Review Date: June 5, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Harrison Ford as action hero again. Teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film considers fears of surveillance, with characters showing both anxiety and ingenuity trying to avoid it. It includes multiple tense scenes, as well as violent scenes, both abrupt (as when the villains burst into the family's home and again when the chief villain whomps Jack across the face) and sustained (a prolonged, bruising, bloody fight scene at the end). References are made to online gambling and identity theft. The family's escape attempt appears in fast cuts and jarring images; a child who is allergic to nuts suffers an alarming, nearly fatal reaction. Villains brandish guns, and three men are shot on screen, upsetting other characters who observe. Characters use mild language and a villain's dumping of the family dog leads to the mom's and kids' tears.
What's the story?
In FIREWALL, computer genius and bank security expert Jack (Harrison Ford) works for a Seattle bank, lives with his family in a gorgeous house designed by his architect wife Beth (Virginia Madsen), and worries a bit about new guy Gary's (Robert Patrick) idea that the bank shouldn't assume costs of fraud and hacking -- he wants to pass on costs to customers. Jack's own info is hacked by a crew of crooks, led by Bill Cox (Paul Bettany), who use it to break into his home, take his wife and kids hostage, and force him to transfer millions to their account. Bill has installed surveillance devices in Jack's home, car, and office. Though Jack tries initially to outsmart Bill, but when the bad guy harms his son, the concerned father moves the funds. Eventually Jack must retaliate, committing his own deceptions and acts of deadly violence. Though he doesn't get much help from boss (Alan Arkin) or his law enforcement veteran buddy Harry (Robert Forster), Jack does get support from his assistant Janet (Mary Lynn Rajskub).
Is it any good?
Though Firewall takes up the topical focus of fears of surveillance, it offers precious few new ideas. Once again, Harrison Ford must save his family from violent outlaws, grimacing and flailing as he discovers that "going along" only inspires the bad guys to do more damage. Lesson to be learned: You gotta fight back!
The surveillance cams all yield distressingly grainy fisheye-lens images designed to generate viewer tension. Mary Lynn Rajskub plays a variant of Chloe, her much beloved character on 24, splendidly. Her character's relationship with Jack -- slightly offbeat, based in Ford's signature vulnerability, as well as a trust born of necessity -- brings welcome freshness to an otherwise predictable plot.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the insecurity of online exchanges, of information, money, and identities. What does Jack's change from compliant victim to agitated hero suggest about the consequences of pushing "nice guys" to the edge? How must Jack give up some of his authority (at least until the film's climax), to prevail over his more predictable enemies?
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AGE
It gets an A
great movie. A little violent but I say good for kids 11 and up
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AGE
thiller movie
This movie was great but its not for small childern.
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AGE
Great
This movie is awesome!! It's not for kids under 12 though, scenes get violent and a little scary at times and there is some profanity throughout the movie including the F-word. However this movie has a great plot and is very intresting, I enjoyed it a lot and recomend it for kids of the right age.
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AGE
Got me on the edge of my seat!!
I suggest this movie to ages 13+
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AGE
This was a really good thriller. This and FlightPlan was very good thrillers. This is a movie to check out. I love these kinda thrillers... man very good. its pretty bloody like one character gets bashed by a blender and gets kicked. and many beatings,stabbing,punching,kickings. and good bit of langauge.
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AGE
Fun Action Movie
This is a fun, yet average action movie. The lauguage isn't too bad, but the violence is definately an issue. Some people may be disturbed by the fact that a young boy and a teenage girl are in danger, and a boy suffers an allergic reaction. There is no sex or drinking, but people still may want to think twice about if their kids are eaisly phased by nonstop violence.
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AGE
Harrison Ford Returns, and is out to save his family.
This movie is an excellant treat for teens and up. The "F" word is used once, and GD is used 5 times. Several men are shot, 1 dies in an explosion, another is blungeoned by a blender, and another is impaled by a pick axe. Family is shown in a positive light and is shown as extremely important. The action and fast pacing, makes this 2 hour film seem to go by super fast. Watch out for the double surprise twist ending.
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AGE
Suspense!
I thought the movie was great, although the bad guy does say the F-word one time, and it was not stated in the review... in case people out there are wondering whether it is appropriate for little ones... other than that, good flick!
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Richard Loncraine |
| Cast: | Harrison Ford, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Paul Bettany |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 10, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | June 6, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some intense sequences of violence. |
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