Pathfinder (R, 2007)
common sense media says
Bloody actioner pits Vikings vs. Native Americans.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this period action film earns its R rating with frequent scenes of hard-hitting, bloody violence. Weapons including swords, rocks, arrows, spears, spiky traps, chains, maces, and axes are used to decapitate, dismember, hang, beat, impale, stab, and crush victims (broken, rotting bodies are shown). Others die via drowning, avalanche, bear attack, falls, and more. Images of the mayhem range from aggressively chaotic to slow-motion poetic, with repeated shots of spurting blood (primarily from chests and necks). Most of the characters are bent on vengeance; the Vikings plan to exterminate the Native Americans (whom they call "savages") and are depicted as tall, dark monsters who tend to roar more than speak. When they do talk, they use a couple of mild swear words (in subtitles), including "bitch" and "damn."
Violence:
Violence is alternately represented in lyrical and hard-hitting imagery. A child is discovered in a wrecked Viking ship among corpses; battle scenes include spearing, decapitation, arrows, knives, swords, trampling, falling, an arm getting lopped off, throats being cut, a bear attack, impaling, beating, kicking, hanging (bodies displayed after death), drowning, and crushing by an avalanche. Frequent shots of blood spurting. Vikings throw woman against a log as if to rape her, but the hero steps in.
Sex:
Man and woman lie close to each other, apparently nude (they're trying to keep warm, but they're also the designated romantic couple).
Language:
Just a few curse words used by Vikings (in subtitles): "damn" and "bitch."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Brief use of medicinal herbs/smoke during a a healing ritual.
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Most useful reviews by all members
jboo624
adult
adult
Triumph thru trials!
The main character, shunned and whipped by his paternal father for not killing an indian child is left for dead. He is found and raised by a tribe of indians and becomes one of them. However, he can't forget his past. The story builds on this. The boy grows to be both a cunning survivalist as well as a brutal warrior.
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Atrix256
adult
adult
A fresh of breath air
So many movies lately seem to be more about marketing than about any real story or movie going experience.
There have been a handful of exceptions where you can tell the movie was made to tell a story, instead of just being a cash cow. Pathfinder is one of those exceptions.
If you want to go see a movie completely different from the norm, go see this movie, you will not be disapointed, very well done.
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ritakaysinger
adult
adult
New Thoughts on Vikings
Just saw "Pathfinder" with my 14 year old son. We both liked it - being fans of "300" - "Gladiator" and others like films we are used to the violence but there was something special about this film. It gave us both a great appreciation for Native Americans and how they made a stand for years against the "intruders". This movie has a lot of great location views - mountains and deep forests - awesome. Go See It!!!!!
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damoviecritic
adult
adult
a crap movie
I understand this was severly budgeted. However, that does not excuse bad filmaking. The movie tries very hard to be edgy and violent, trying to capitalize on the movie 300. Were 300 looked spectacular to look at, Pathfinder is full of poor visuals. The movie's "look," is difined by a darkened camera, covering everybody in grime. The "fight scenes," are just various shots of dismemberments, decapitations, disimbowlments, and so forth. Don't forget viking and Indian stereotypes galore. I say that the violence is not an issue because it is not effecting or horrific in any way, unless you are under 10 years of age. It is just shots of carnage, and poor ones at that. It all gets boring after awhile. I couldn't wait for the best part: the end credits.
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