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Four Brothers (R, 2005)

common sense media says

A rowdy, brutal revenge movie -- not for kids.

parents & educators say
See all 14 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie features relentless violence and harsh, action-hero language (repeated uses of "f--k" in jest and malice). The mother's murder is made visible on a convenience store video tape, with cuts to the brothers' horror and grief. Characters smoke cigarettes and marijuana, drink beer and liquor, play rough pickup hockey, and chase down culprits who wear ski masks or otherwise look menacing. The shootouts involve large, automatic weapons (lots of shots fired). One character falls out a window and breaks his leg (the injury is shown in close-up), others are shot to pieces, with very visible blood and mangling.

Positive messages: Vengeance allows all manner of violence.
Violence: Explosions, gunfights, car crashes, bodies falling and breaking.
Sex: Sexual allusions and one woman's sexy outfits.
Language: Lots of action movie language, of all sorts.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking, smoking, drug use.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Four Brothers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the film's mixed messages about violence: it's bad when "gangs" or thugs use it against citizens, but fine and even celebrated when deployed by the vengeful heroes. How do corrupt law and municipal officials, in league with the central villain, create a sense of pervasive dishonesty? How do women characters appear as stereotypical sexual or maternal figures? How does the film promote the brothers' bonding, at the expense of civil order or even hope for any justice aside from murdering the villains?

What's the story?

What's the story?

When their adopted mother (Fionnula Flanagan) is killed, an accidental victim of apparent gang-related activity, her sons grow suspicious. Troublemaker Bobby (Mark Wahlberg); "pretty boy" Angel (Tyrese Gibson); family man Jeremiah (André Benjamin); and sensitive, pot-smoking wannabe rocker Jack (Garrett Hedlund) become intent on finding out the truth.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

FOUR BROTHERS is upfront about what it is: a rowdy, brutal revenge movie. The brothers' mission -- justice? revenge? havoc? -- leads to all kinds of mayhem, which a sympathetic Lt. Green (super smooth Terrence Howard) condones as "self-defense." Four Brothers practices the sort of chilling logic whereby the good guys' outrageousness looks "decent" compared to cruelty committed by the Head Villain, here Victor Sweet (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the most depraved gangster this side of Jeffrey Wright's psycho killer in Shaft. This is how mean he is: when a fearful councilman (Barry Shabaka Henley) stops by Victor's home to report bad news, the host sends him to sit at the kids' table in the corner.

The shoot-outs are gargantuan, the car chases demented, and the snow storms actually rather arty. One car chase is especially ingenious, in its way, as it's not about the spectacular driving, but about blindness amid swirling snow. The brothers drive on, unable to stop. It's a useful metaphor for the film.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: John Singleton
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Terrence Howard, Tyrese Gibson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: August 12, 2005
DVD release: December 20, 2005
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16

Most useful reviews by all members

Julie3000x
teen, 18 years old
 
I liked it it wasnt really that violent. A good movie about family bonds.
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booqradely
adult
 
The soundtrack is good but the movie...
My older children took me to see this movie based on the movie trailers...they thought I would like it. This is a movie that is based on violence and uses violence for revenge. It glorifies illegal behavior. What is even more amazing is that amoral people have their own code of conduct and values and attempt to get us to believe that what they did was right. If they are right then I guess that makes George Bush a saint.
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KS25
adult
 
Not proud of seeing it.
While it had more then 50 F words in it,and breif sexuality it was still a decent movie. Plot wise that is, i still wouldn't let anyone under the age of 17 see it.
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bernalboy
teen, 18 years old
 
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fawzi
adult
 
filebook
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movielover2468
teen, 17 years old
 
i loved it
its not a boring movie.its interesting the way the brothers look for a witness and killer of their adopted mom.
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Christianmom9803
adult
 
good plot, bad movie
it had a good story line , but it was a horrible movie. It was filled with bad language, sex, and way too much violence. A bunch of killing and shooting people. Only for adults if you dont mind watching all that stuff.
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dolphinlover9
adult
 
Great movie but not for kids under 15
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MLeaguer
adult
 
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sweetgirl12
teen, 18 years old
 
I konw I shouldn't have seen it!
But, it's was sweet movie about brotherly love. Though i must say that they say things unnessacary. Bullets fly everywhere. And i had to close my eye's on some parts. But, it's a thriller and keeps you guessing. A must see!
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jonny_macc
adult
 
i'd watch it again
its a good movie and fun to watch. i'd watch it again but it would get boring after a while coz its quite predictable
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benjmonkeys
kid, 10 years old
15
 
Good for 15 and up
It is very violent and shows tons of revenge.
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jsharpe
parent of 13 year old
16
 
NOT OK
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Silva Adrianiel
teen, 14 years old
13
 
It isn't all that bad.....
I have to disagree with the rating this movie has been given. While it has a LOT of swearing, it's nothing that any teenager hasn't heard before, especially if they have older siblings. I myself have two older brothers and they swear just as much as the four brothers in this movie did. As for sexual content, you'd find more in a PG-13 movie. Violence.... it might be a little much for some people, but there's no more than you'd find in a typical 'bang, bang, shoot 'em up' movie. I actually found it to be a rather good story about four brothers out for revenge on those who killed their mother.
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