 | 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. |
Pathfinder
- Review Date: July 30, 2007
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Bloody actioner pits Vikings vs. Native Americans.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids 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."
What's the story?
Set around 1000 A.D., PATHFINDER unfurls the legend of Ghost, an orphaned Viking rescued by the Wampanoag chief's wife and destined to save his newfound "family." First identified as an enemy by the native North Americans, he matures into a robust wannabe brave (played by Karl Urban) determined to prove himself. He gets his chance when the Vikings destroy his village and kill his adoptive family. Intent on revenge, ghost turns to another tribe -- led by the venerable Pathfinder (Russell Means) -- for both support and doubt. The old shaman's daughter, Starfire (Moon Bloodgood), has a crush on the white boy and proves to be as capable a fighter as any of her fellow tribesmen. In the bloody battle, Ghost confronts his father's old warmongering partner, Gunnar (Clancy Brown). In the end, a successor for Pathfinder is in place and a white hero anointed.
Is it any good?
Boasting a prettified brutality that rivals that of 300, PATHFINDER also explores a similarly basic theme: manly men pursuing revenge at any cost. Ghost's story includes the usual touchstones for an outsider: he's mistrusted at first, then he transforms into an excellent warrior who is obsessed with proving that he's one of the tribe. The main battle goes on for most of the movie, and after lots of cacophonous violence (blood sprays, eye-pluckings, impalings, and more), the movie ends neatly, with a muted lesson on the costs of vengeance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the role of violence in the movie. Is it appropriate for the story that's being told? Which parts, if any, are gratuitous? How accurate do you think it is? Families can also discuss the enduring mythology of the white hero. How is it significant that Ghost is white instead of Native American? How does he struggle with his double heritage? What does he learn about vengeance?
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Marcus Nispel |
| Cast: | Karl Urban, Moon Bloodgood, Russell Means |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 12, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | July 31, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong brutal violence throughout. |
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