The Guardian (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

Waterlogged rescue flick is too intense for kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this action drama includes several harrowing scenes of storms and sinking boats at sea. Rescue swimmers valiantly try to save victims, but some deaths occur on screen (not bloody, but sad and -- in one case -- quite disturbing). Kids with fears about water should probably see something else. Sailors and swimmers argue and draw blood in fistfights. A couple falls in love and is shown kissing and in bed (no explicit sex, but tumbling under blankets and some underwear shots). Protagonists drink, take painkillers, and use occasional profanity.

Positive messages: An arrogant young swimmer learns to support his team and make hard choices in rescue situations; a lonely veteran swimmer trains youngsters to take up his heroic legacy.
Violence: Several violent storms at sea; flashbacks show the dangers of Coast Guard rescue-swimming; a rescuer has to punch a hysterical victim; a couple of rescuers die; a helicopter crashes and explodes; a trainer is punched in the nose and bleeds; a couple of barfights with Navy sailors leave Jake (and then Ben) bloodied and bruised; training is hard (in freezing water, holding breath, swimming to the point of exhaustion).
Sex: A fairly young couple engages in sexual activity, including passionate kisses and some playful rolling in bed, wearing underwear and mostly under the covers.
Language: One "f--k" several other profanities ("damn," "s--t," "a--hole," etc.).
Consumerism: Wild Turkey liquor bottle is visible.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink in bars to get drunk; some vomiting; Ben chews Vicodins to kill physical and emotional pain; some cigarette smoking.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about ways to deal with trauma. How does the movie make the case that focusing on the future (in the form of students to be taught and lives to be saved) helps Ben overcome his guilt, anger, and frustration? What are other ways -- both successful and unsuccessful -- that people deal with traumatic events? How do Ben and Jake's similarities (ambition, competitiveness, tragic pasts) make them ideal partners? What other movies have used a similar structure (tough veteran mentors young hot shot)? Families can also discuss the work of the Coast Guard, including the unit's heroic rescues on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Kevin Costner stars as Ben Randall, a veteran Coast Guard rescue swimmer who turns to teaching after a traumatic event leaves him unable to carry on as usual. Ben needs to recover his nerve, while cocky student Jake (Ashton Kutcher) learn to play nicely with others, including his girlfriend, Emily (Melissa Sagemiller). Both teacher and student have suffered; the revelations of that suffering lead each to his own sort of manly re-commitment. At the rescue-swimming training facility, Ben's red-lit nightmares are compounded by the fact that his long-suffering wife, Helen (Sela Ward), has left him. He self-medicates and grumps at the recruits, and for 18 weeks, drills his trainees hard. Ben's methods occasionally alarm and annoy his fellow instructors, including resentful second-in-command Jack (Neal McDonough) and skeptical presiding officer Larson (John Heard). During his down time, Ben calls Helen to beg forgiveness and helps Jake avenge a beating he received from disdainful Navy sailors. Though the trainees' ranks do include a woman, the focus here is on boys learning to be men. Ben and Jake see themselves in each other, pretty much to the exclusion of anyone else. When Emily suggests to Jake that Ben may be "trying to push you to be better," Jake sets her straight: "He knows I'm better than he is!"

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
With a retread plot, plenty of boy-bonding action, and a shirtless Ashton Kutche, Andrew Davis' THE GUARDIAN is a by-the-numbers crowd pleaser that's about as dull as a heroic redemption story could be.

Per formula, parallel redemption stories grant "emotional" moments to both Ben and Kutcher's Jake. By the time Jake has his big breakdown scene (he cries, though he doesn't actually say, "I got nowhere else to go!"), it's clear that, for all their earnest, actorly efforts, neither man has a chance against Ron L. Brinkerhoff's hackneyed script.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Andrew Davis
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Costner, Melissa Sagemiller
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 136 minutes
Theatrical release: September 28, 2006
DVD release: January 23, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: for intense sequences of action/peril, brief strong language and some sensuality.
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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

 
A fun film
This movie is full of action and is lots of fun to watch. Why Common Sense Media gave it only two stars i cannot figure out! I thought that it was very entertaining and lots of fun to watch.

 
Yikes!!! 2 stars CSM??? C'mon! 5 all the way!
My all time favortite, if there is a more aspiring movie outthere i have yet to see it. If yor kids are interested in seeing it and are 11 or up say yes the ending will make you cry but then bring a smile to your face. I had no idea wat these guys did untill seeing this how much they go through for us. There is some language including a F**k, violence is there but not much, but there peril and tense rescueing scenes, All arounda great, inspiring and stunning movie.

SUPERKID
teen, 14 years old
 
THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER
ilove the action

 
Touching and real
With a family member in The Coast Guard and active in search and rescue it was amazing to see the things he has told me about come to life. This film was well researched and Costner & Kutcher gave impressive performances.

 
another great movie
This movie is just great. It has a nice message and ending and is just an instant fav or a movie at the top of your list. Its a movie that makes u appreciate what rescue swimmers do (or make me aware of them in the first place with me, lol) and is just a good movie <3

NickTwo
kid, 13 years old
 
I liked it.
This movie was Okay But CS shouldnt have gavin it a 13+. But you might enjoy it. But there was way to much traing!

coolguyiscoolbro
teen, 16 years old
 
really intense movie should be: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, some violence, language, and some disturbing content

v-ball_luver
teen, 17 years old
 
A Little Long, But Overall, Very Good
This movie was a little long (Over two and a half hours), but other than that, was pretty good. The acting was good, and so was the plot and the special affects. My dad, brother and I enjoyed seeing it in theatres.

 
I was impressed
I got past the poor me, my wife left me story. I also figured out in no time that the young character had a tragic past....go figure. I need to save the world because I let my friends die??? What did not get past me was that this really does happen, in the real world. It may not happen in this particular situation, but it does happen. We call it "Life". It can suck, and it can be harsh. Very, Very Harsh!! The difficulty of this movie "is" the fact that these situations "do" arise? and these men and women "do" risk their lives to save said victim's.....without hesitation!!! Was this movie "Hochie?" NO, not to me. Maybe a bit far fetched for I am sure the USCG is much tougher on its recruits then the movie depicted, but it was, in fact " a movie". Try to put things into prespective here. How many of "us" would put our lives on the line. No where near a situation that was depicted in this movie? Not a one I fear. I have nothing but respect for the men and women that risk their lives for us. To make a movie, one has to have a story line.....that was easy...saving ppople from immenent death...OH, and if my opinion counts for anything......if we can show our children that there are more important things in the world then whether or not our MP3 player is loaded, then we are not doing such a bad job in raising them. i could care less if anyone agrees with me. Forcing people to face their fears without quitting is not a bad idea in my book. I think anyone 13 and over could find this movie has quality...even thought the "star" appears to be human......oop[s

who
adult
 
great movie.
most of the time these "professional critics" say a movie is bad that tells you it's a must see.

lugomom
adult
 
Good movie to watch w/o kids
They movie would have been great w/o the "casual sex" philosophy and the extra focus on alcohol consumption. Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher were great.

coolcat
adult
 
This movie rocks! Go Kucther!
Great movie! I want to buy it!

theoldies
teen, 17 years old
 
Well it was good...
I liked it, though it was way to long, and the one guy didn't need to die at the end. I left after that. The sex was nothing, I mean it's probably good for 12 and up. I was mature enough to handle it, so it's not that big of a deal.

alliebartekk
teen, 18 years old
 
I LOVE THIS MOVIEE.
THIS MOVIE WAS THE BEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. I CRIED FOREVER AFTER THE MOVIE, THAT IS WHAT MADE IT GOOD..

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