IT IS GREAT FOR EVERY1 OVER THE AGE OF 12!!! NOT THAT MUCH VIOLENCE JUST A BIT OF "U KNOW WHAT:
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Public Enemies
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Depp scores as Depression-era robber, but lots of violence.
Themes in this movie include: materialism, revenge
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–17
What to watch out for
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Role models :
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Public Enemies
Parents need to know that this 1930s-set crime drama starring Johnny Depp as infamous bank robber John Dillinger is full of very realistic violence that some will find hard to take. Gun battles are frequent and intense, and characters suffer gory wounds and die. A woman is beaten during an interrogation scene; other characters are shot down in cold blood. Although there's not too much in the way of sexual content (aside from one somewhat steamy love scene with no nudity) or language (there's one use of "f--k," plus a smattering of other salty words) for an R-rated film, the movie's focus on the differences and similarities between cops and crooks yields complex role models and messages. Some law enforcement officers are depicted as corrupt and cruel, while others are dedicated, dignified, and diligent; similarly, there are cold, calm professionals among the film's criminals, as well as hair-trigger sociopaths. Expect lots of period-accurate smoking and drinking.
Read our full review by James Rocchi
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does its realistic, almost intimate style (intensified by the use of handheld digital cameras) affect its impact? Is it more or less disturbing than booming (but bloodless) explosions and big-budget mayhem?
- Families can also talk about how the movie portrays both criminals and law enforcement officials. What distinguishes Dillinger from Purvis? Both are smart and determined; why is one a hero and one a villain? Is the rule of law more important than the rule of force?
- Also, why do you think Dillinger, a convicted criminal, became such a well-loved figure during the Great Depression? Why did so many working-class people admire (and even shelter) him? How did he use the media to his advantage?
Our Members Say
See all 24 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great for everyone! (nearly)
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
13+ is a safe bet
The violence isn't that bloody or graphic... a little loud.... Johnny Depp is perfect and the directing is awesome. 13 and up is a safe bet.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
Great Historial Drama
I adored this movie. I'm a huge Johnny Depp fan (particularly for Edward Scissorshands, Benny and Joon, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Pirates of The Caribbean). This correctly portrays life in Illinois and Indiana in the 20's. Gangsters back then were so much more organized then today's oversized-clothes wearing child-killing numbskulls. They planned. They went in. They came out. End of story. The gunfight scenes are a bit mature for younger viewers (i.e blood spatter and heavy firing) and the intimate scenes between John Dillinger and his girl are rather...erg..you know what I mean. Great historial movie. I loved it.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
Great Historial Drama
I adored this movie. I'm a huge Johnny Depp fan (particularly for Edward Scissorshands, Benny and Joon, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Pirates of The Caribbean). This correctly portrays life in Illinois and Indiana in the 20's. Gangsters back then were so much more organized then today's oversized-clothes wearing child-killing numbskulls. They planned. They went in. They came out. End of story. The gunfight scenes are a bit mature for younger viewers (i.e blood spatter and heavy firing) and the intimate scenes between John Dillinger and his girl are rather...erg..you know what I mean. Great historial movie. I loved it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Public Enemies
Johnny Depp play depression-era bank robber John Dillinger in Michael Mann's well achieved movie that tackles on heavy themes for younger kids and will be enjoyed by older teens and adults. The movie is very intense throughout with prolonged shootouts. Other than that the movie has a solid script and acting.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Pretty blah
To be honest, I can't really apprecheat the idea of this movie since I wasn't alive when or even near to after this "Gangster mod" era was popular. But I saw this movie with my parents and I thought it was ok. There is not much action though, but when there is it's very graphic.
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Disappointing.
With actors such as these why did this movie make me fall asleep? The only redeeming value was a few good scenes of acting and the fairly-well-played-out shootouts. That's it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
good for tweens
very very good ages 13 up
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
very very good ages 13 up
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Not what CommonSense Reviewers say it is!
This movie is great. Overall 4 stars. My concerns are the violence. There is a scene where a man shoots another with a rifle, blood all over his shirt. Probably the bloodiest scene in the movie. There are shootouts and stuff like that but not too bad. There is a s*x scene. Nothing bad is shown. Also the language D*mn, S**t, Godd*mmit, stuff like that, but nothing above the S Word. Also there's a scene where a lady gets slapped like 5 times!! It's mean, but my 13 year old bro was chuckling just like a bunch of other peeps in the theater. I think this movie is ON 13 +. 13+ because not all 10 year olds would be able to watch an R rated movie like this.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
I got this movie free on DVD on http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=1011526
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Johnny Depp and Christian Bale Go At It In An Oscar Worthy Movie
Johnny Depp plays the ledgendary bank robber John Dillinger in an oscar worthy performance. Set in the 1930's, basically it's a Crime/Romance/Action. It's a great movie with good role models and great acting performances. There's not to much violence and not much language.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Fine
I thought this movie had era accurate violence, but was age appropriate for most teens.
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Great movie if your kids are mature and responsible, they won't have any problem handling it
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Wonderful movie, anyone under the age 11 probably cannot handle it, but it is up to the parents that their children can see it. There is some sexuality in Public Enemies, but it shows no nudity.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Great mobster film for older teens *****
Public enemies was by far one of the best mobster films I have ever watched. I think this topped out the godfather series. Johnny Depp plays a good representation of John Dillinger. The violence is realistic but that's what happened in the 1930's. Overall this is a must see
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
It's an R-rated mafia movie so expect violence.It's not as violent as other mobster films such as The Godfather, Once Upon A Time In America Or Goodfellas but there is a fair amount. There is some brief nudity and language. Anyone 11+ should be able to handle it
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Messages of story valuable enough to overcome extreme, realistic violence.
First of all, the movie is excellent. It is a character piece, so rather than a continuous plot line, time is inconsequential to the focus shifting from one main character to another. Violence is EXTREMELY gruesome (bullet shot into back of head shown exiting the front, dying man attempting to talk having blood run from his mouth, realistic wounds with blood running until person is dead). This bothered me more than my 14-year-old son. My husband's comment was that when he was our son's age, not much phased him. I think he has become immune through video gaming. If your child is sensitive and easily relates to people in movies or books, they are likely to be bothered by the close-up and realistic violence. Be aware that a woman is beaten up by FBI agents. There is a stark contrast between FBI agent Melvin Purvis and the criminals he apprehends. He is portrayed as a staunch believer in doing what is right and using whatever he needs to get the job done. However, he is shown as being just, also. When he finds another agent has cuffed a woman to a chair for hours, beaten her, and allowed her to sit in her own urine, he stops the agent, picks up the woman, and carries her away to be treated more humanely. I'm not sure why other reviews see John Dillinger being portrayed as a likable playboy/celebrity. I thought he was clearly portrayed as ruthless and grandiose. His grandiosity was so great that he made no plans for the future -- tomorrow always comes. At another point, he walks into a police station John Dillinger task force area. There is the contrast of him as intellectually calculating versus Baby Face Nelson who was just plain crazy. He is portrayed as loyal and loving to friends, but this screwed value system adds to his complexity. He rarely shoots others, seems to go out of his way to avoid it. However, lots of people around him are more than willing to do it. Again, unless you have a sensitive child, I think the cinematography, the editing, and the messages of the story are valuable enough to overcome the extreme, realistic violence.
Lives in FloridaI rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
History lesson for film buffs, not kiddies.
Obviously this is not a children's movie...! Appropriate for smart teens with critical discernment and interest in film. The direction and visual flair are engaging, but the story is weaker than you'd expect. Fine performances. See me review it with my father at: www.youtube.com/gabndad
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Ratings at a Glance
| 57% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 29% | of parents say there are good role models |
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