Red Cliff (R, 2009)
common sense media says
Masterful Chinese battle epic is violent but fine for teens.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that director John Woo's rousing battle epic based on Chinese history definitely has plenty of violence (spraying blood, martial arts, etc.) and other war-related themes, as well as one notable sex scene. But there are also strong messages about war being a last resort, and the story has an optimistic driving force in the form of a growing friendship between two men who serve different armies but team up to fight a greater threat. There are also two strong female characters, each of whom risks her life for the greater good. Red Cliff is similar to films like Braveheart and Gladiator, but with a more poetic, gracious spirit. Older, less sensitive teens are likely to be enthralled, as will parents. The two-part, uncut, international version is now available on home video; besides the 288-minute length, the uncut version has richer, more developed characters and more nuanced battle strategies, but a similar level of violence.
Positive role models:
Once it's established that the characters are going to war out of necessity rather than because they want to or because it looks fun, they become interesting role models. They show great respect for one another, use their knowledge and instinct to succeed, and rely on each other to make up for their own weaknesses. By teaming up against impossible odds, they become a more effective force. There are also two strong female characters, each of whom takes action and risks her life for the common good.
Violence:
Some heavy battle violence, with spraying blood and falling horses. Characters are stabbed with lances, and a character loses a hand. The villain sends several rafts piled with typhoid-infected corpses, inflicting the heroic soldiers who try to bury the bodies. There's also plenty of martial arts-related violence, and a scene in which a tremendous fire spreads across a fleet of ships, causing untold damage and death.
Sex:
One sex scene between married adults. No nudity is shown, and the scene is very soft/gentle, but it's very clearly sex. There's also some very tame flirting between two soldiers (one is a girl disguised as a boy).
Language:
Not an issue.
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
In one scene, characters pour liquor on the ground in homage to their fallen comrades and also take a few sips. A character mixes some drugged tea for a villain to drink.
More on Red Cliff
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Japanese Gal
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Chinese.....
I saw it in China.
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jesse180030
parent of 18 year old
parent of 18 year old
i love it this was a great movie
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