 | 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 Man in the Iron Mask
- Review Date: May 4, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Slow-moving swashbuckler is better for teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Three Musketeers adventure film based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas includes some fairly overt sexual references (but little nudity) and
violence (but little blood). The womanizing, revenge-driven Musketeers themselves are a mixed bag when it comes to role models, but ultimately the movie does advocate teamwork and honesty. Although the slow-moving story not hold teens' interest, fans of Leonardo DiCaprio may be curious to see the baby-faced heartthrob playing dual roles, both good and evil. Parents can take the opportunity to introduce kids to Dumas' books and some of the Musketeer stories that came before this one.
What's the story?
Decades after the heyday of the Three Musketeers, the heroes have parted ways. Athos (John Malkovich) has raised a son, Raoul, to become a Musketeer himself; Artemis (Jeremy Irons) is a priest; Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) passes the time womanizing and drinking; and their old pal D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne) serves the cruel, selfish young King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) ... and is secretly in love with the queen (Anne Parillaud). The king's fearsome rule has caused his subjects to riot -- so Artemis reunites the Musketeers to carry about a dangerous plan involving the mysterious prisoner known as the "man in the iron mask,." If they're successful, they could save the entire kingdom.
Is it any good?
It's great fun to see the aging Musketeers in action, and actors Irons, Depardieu, and Malkovich share a wonderful chemistry. But the movie never really focuses on them, and despite their strong charisma, they mostly emerge as supporting characters. The main draw is Leonardo DiCaprio, playing dual roles in his first film after Titanic.
Unfortunately, the younger viewers who want to see him will be disappointed by the movie's slow pace. Director Randall Wallace made his directorial debut here after writing Braveheart, and -- as with all of his other films (We Were Soldiers) -- THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK has a sense of dutiful propriety; it's like Wallace doesn't know how to have fun. The Man in the Iron Mask needed more of a jaunty twinkle, more wolfish grins, less thinking and more doing.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's violence? How did it affect you? Is it
exciting? Is it gory?The king uses his power to order women to his bedchambers, while Porthos wins them over with his exuberant attitude. How does the movie depict sex overall? Is there an example of a good relationship in the movie?
When Philippe is released from prison, he shows no interest in vengeance. Is this the right
thing to do? Is his behavior rewarded?Is it better to rule through fear or kindness? Why?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
OK with parents ok but not for school!
We watched this in our performing art class and I was horrified! This movie is based on sex. The king sends off a girls true love to the army and gets him killed so he can have her all to himself. The king then invites her to dinner and has sex with her. not appropriate!
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AGE
The Best 3 Musketeers Movie
This is by far the best 3 musketeers movie ever made.
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AGE
not so bad
this is ok for people my age, there are some scenes of sex that can be somewhat inapropriate. There is some violence but not much blood, only a stain on a dagger, a man gets shot with a cannon but you only see him fall, the drugs are low. I think this is worth seeing, I'd say it's appropriate to kids 10 or 11 years and up.
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AGE
NO NO NO
We watched this is Spanish yesterday, it was turned to speak in spanish. it was HORRIFYING!!!!!!! i could NOT get the images out of my head (including the dialogue)!!!!
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AGE
......
This movie had some real problems three minutes in. I had to stop watching it after ten, and that was with an edited version. One of the main themes was sexual dialogue, so you can imagine how that went. My mom says it's a good movie, but it is not appropriate for teens and kids.
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AGE
Didn't see it. Will after while.My kids can't see it until there 13. But it was not what i expected. I was hoping maybe we could watch it together as a family. Not so much anymore~
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Randall Wallace |
| Cast: | Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Leonardo DiCaprio |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 132 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 13, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | August 12, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of violence and some sensuality/nudity |
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