 | 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. |
The Last Legion
- Review Date: December 17, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Mr. Darcy trades Austen for Excalibur. Only OK.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this ancient Rome-set action movie includes lots of bloody fighting and several instances in which a child (the film's 12-year-old hero) is threatened. Battle scenes are loud and chaotic, with stabbing, kicking, pushing, and spearing (the boy sees his parents speared and axed). The rough melees use lots of handheld and close-up camerawork to convey turmoil. Other fights include martial arts-style fighting, with kicking, chopping, and apparent bone-breaking. There are a few brief allusions to sexual attraction and desire: Mira and Aurelius gaze at each other's bodies (hers is partly revealed when she rises from a lake in a wet tunic), and they lie in bed together. No real language (one "damn," one "hell") or drinking.
What's the story?
"The legend begins beneath these dark hills." That would be the oft-told legend of Excalibur. After his parents are killed, 12-year-old Emperor Romulus Augustus is imprisoned on the island of Capri, along with his former teacher, Ambrosinus (Ben Kingsley). Aurelius (Colin Firth), Romulus' new teacher, Batiatus (Nonso Anozie), Demetrius (Rupert Friend), and Mira (Aishwarya Rai) help them escape, and they journey to Britain to find the 9th legion.
Is it any good?
The leaps of faith in THE LAST LEGION are many, but once you've already made one or two of 'em, it's easy enough to accept that Bollywood superstar Rai is as likely to a super-lethal fighter as Mr. Darcy. Both Aurelius and Mira suffer betrayal by their leaders, which prompts their decisions to cut ties with the past and throw their lot in with the boy, the apparent future of Rome.
The question of country -- of borders that need defending and serve as markers for identity -- remains mostly unresolved. The fact that the titular legion has been abandoned by foundering Rome and now waits for a mission in Britannia suggests that the whole empire thing isn't all it's cracked up to be.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why stories about Arthur, Merlin, and Excalibur hold such fascination. What is it about legends and myths that continues to appeal to -- and inspire us -- for so many hundreds of years? Do you think filmmakers try to make movies like this one as accurate as possible, or do they care more about how the movie looks and the reaction it gets from an audience? Families can also discuss leadership and loyalty; how are both portrayed in this film?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
September 8, 2011
AGE
its awesome
this movie doesnt really have blood like how csm said they are wrong they dont know anything no real violence only one part when a guy gets his finger cut off but the movie is awesome even though sword fighting arrows and stuff there is no blood spurting out only red scrathes or holes they are like that so there is nothing to worry about just watch out for teh finger scene
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A better tale than expected!
I wasn't sure I would like this movie, after reading lukewarm reviews... but it was much better than expected! After cringing through the overt sexuality and adult themes (with my 12 year old beside me) and never ending crashes of Transformers, I was delighted at this movie. The story was interesting. The characters were engaging, the acting believeable, and the female warrior Mira was a great role model! On-screen deaths were edited just shy of gory,(i.e.you never SAW the knife strike, as opposed to many other (LOTR) movies, which I loved, but were too violent for my kids) blood was cosmetic, not gushing. The pacing was fast, but not overwhelming.. and the ending was a good (if not unexpected) one. Kids 10 and up would be fine if they were used to movies like "Willow" or "Narnia". I'd like to see it again!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Pretty interesting historical movie!
I thought this movie was pretty good. I was impressed. I imagined in being worse.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I thought this was excellent. Better than The Last Samurai, Troy, and 300 together.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Weinstein Co. |
| Director: | Doug Lefler |
| Cast: | Aishwarya Rai, Ben Kingsley, Colin Firth |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 17, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | December 18, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of intense action violence. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
