Parents need to know that this controversial what-if war film features much shooting, with frequent bloodshed (though little of what would be considered gore) and explosive mayhem. Many characters die, young heroes as well as the villains. Swearing is occasional, and there is a suggestion that two underage-female characters might have been raped or molested. Hunting and killing of animals, for food as well as a sort of manhood ritual, is shown and seemingly endorsed with great enthusiasm by the filmmakers.
Positive messages:Surface message of patriotism and fighting for one's country/freedom are underscored by more complex lessons, about striving against impossible odds and even taking doomed or hopeless stands for what is correct. War and partisan insurgency is shown not to be a children's game, when the Wolverines face having to execute one of their own.
Positive role models:All young characters seem act mature and disciplined, though it's declared that the strongest ones paid a price -- miserable childhoods learning survival skills under a strict dad. Both Communists and Wolverine forces are mixed whites and Latinos; only the Wolverines have a few girls fighting along with them.
Violence:Shooting and explosions in abundance, with spattering blood (but little gore) more often than not. One character (and a deer) shot with an arrow. Inference that the invading Soviet soldiers have raped women and girls.
Sex:Indistinct glimpse of one Russian looking at a magazine centerfold.
Great movie to start, But there is some violence since i dont want to spoil the movie ill just tell you that there is some blood but no gore. Some of the best role models ever. need to see this i suggest 10 years old
The original review on this page said there were a few prophanities, but failed to mention at least 3 blasphemies against God ( GD) which is much worse than sh** or bullsh** or a**. I stopped watching the movie because of this. The storyline is very interesting, but I was so disappointed at the blasphemy I couldn't finish the move. Blessed be the name of God forever.
To be honest, it's a good movie and people deserve to be able to watch it. It's true the movie has language, but what types of things would you scream if you had soldiers chasing you with machine guns and tanks? You guys should watch it ^-^
This is a very good movie. And it is very violent its bloody. And very sad so it isn't for young kids there is also swearing and some drinking and smoking
Red Dawn is essentially a cautionary tale about what the possiblities of having a foriegn government invade america would be like, the effects on everybody and all told from the point of view of a small band of teenagers. A horribly dated, cold war idea it is, but it is still a greatly entertaining 80's action movie that shows us what could have been, and it shows it to us well. As some may also recall, this was also the first PG-13 Rating ever, so that means that they were still working out a few bugs in the system at the time, because of the bloody violence that today, probably wouldn't make into a PG-13 Rated movie. Besides that, there is a couple attemped rapes of teenage girls that may disturb some viewers, and some infrequent but standard language. It really is a great action thriller, even if it is dated.
Dated cold war relic with some interesting ideas but if you want to see them executed well read John Marsden's Tomorrow Series i
Safe and comforting should not be the words that first spring to mind when reviewing a movie like Red Dawn, a film that advertises itself as a terrifying peek into an all too possible, at least to 1984 cinema goers, alternate reality, but they are the first that sprung to mine as the end credits rolled.
The "what would ordinary, everyday teenagers do if their country was suddenly, and without warning, invaded" premise is a thought provoking and a scary one. The answers Red Dawn gives to it are not. Turns out ordinary, everyday teenagers will basically behave like good little patriots; they will be brave, strong and keep the all American ideals of Mom's homemade apple pie foremost in their hearts; they will make the difficult choices that have to be made, without flinching, and when death comes it will be in a glorious last stand against the oppressor. All feel good stuff.
Patriotism isn't necessarily a bad thing, but as a substitute for character development. Not Good.
One thing Red Dawn does have plenty of however is action, most of which is pretty tame as far a blood and guts standpoint. Young boys will love it though older folks may find it a bit blandly staged and shot.
Far more satisfying is Australian author John Marsden's "Tomorrow, When the War Began" and its sequels (look them up) which tells a similar story but with none of Red Dawn's faults. Read them instead.