Sahara (PG-13, 2005)
common sense media says
Some exciting action, but overall not satisfying.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has non-stop "action" violence, which means that our intrepid heroes get shot at a lot but never get hit while their own shooting is almost unfailingly on target. Despite the fact that it's based on a book written in the 1990s and includes some positive black characters and a female doctor, the movie has an unpleasantly retro approach to women and minorities, approaching racism in its casual attitude toward killing Africans.
Violence:
Comic book-style peril and action violence.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Mild language.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Smoking, social drinking.
More on Sahara
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
solosing
adult
adult
Perfect for 14 up but im not so sure about 10-12. def. not 10 or younger
I thinkk that this should be seen when kids understand that shooting and blowing people up is not a good thing. this movie has a lot of guns in it but is a very good moovie
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verona
adult
adult
Fun for grownups as well as kids
In the vein of Indiana Jones--no it REALLY couldn't have happened -- lots of action (bloodless) and roller coaster fun. I don't get the concern about how Africans are portrayed---I did not feel it was insensitive and I've lived there.
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kmw7209
adult
adult
Mindless Fun
I took my 13-year-old daughter to this and we both had a blast. It's a light adventure with a few great chase scenes and funny lines thrown in. Not the greatest plot in the world, but fun for a summer night at the movies.
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tommysportsgirl
adult
adult
A lot of fun!
If you just want a fun action-adventure, this is a great movie to rent!
Just cover the kids' eyes during the scene where the gunmen shoot the best friend of the main female character. That's pretty graphic.
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J-Yo
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Divers in the desert
This movie isn't fantastic, but it isn't bad, either. Cruz is great in her role as the Spanish WHO doctor, and McConaughey seems to be enthusiastic about the part. The plot, however, is a little unsatisfying, and some scenes were unnecessary even if they were entertaining. Steve Zahn is the ultimate comic relief and is one of the reasons to watch this film. Parents, be aware that it is quite violent, and at times reveals some of the hardships of impoverished African people. Some are portrayed as good, but one African man is the primary antagonist.
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star
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Bad, dumb things that happen too.
Not a great movie infact a bad movie.It is okay for kids 11 and up but may be a bit violent for anyone thats younger then that. There's a lot of dumb things that happen that are not funny nor intresting It is pretty stupid.
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Spanglish82
adult
adult
Eh.. Ok
This movie was a lot more violent then i thought, i heard it is NOTHING like the book. I would recomend it to only action movie goers!
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
parent of 15 year old
A Fun and Engaging Action Ride...
SAHARA is a fun movie. It's very implausible towards the end, but it's lots of fun, and if you can get past some unrealistic stunt scenes, you'll have a blast watching it.
There's nothing worse here than an Indy Jones film. There are several action sequences and countless close calls, but very little graphic violence. A massacre is overheard (gunshots and screams), and we see several people infected with a mysterious illness that gives them red cuts and dialated eyes. Some people are shot onscreen and one man gets a spear thrown through his hand, but the only gore we see are some cuts on the bodies, a few encrusted with blood. There is no sex, and language is mild (with some "h*ll"s and "d**n"s).
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cookiebaker
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Great Movie!
I really love this movie, it is one of my favorites. There is very little language and the heros of the story are on the good side. There is only one kissing scene at the end which lasts about 10 seconds or less. It is a very good movie-night watch.
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Tending Bloom
adult
adult
Wow....Let's see it again.
Finally, a movie where the sidekick has a brain and is allowed to use it. It was a wonderful new twist on the classic action adventure movie. I will have to see it again.
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crissreviews
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Really fun movie, not scary or anything
This is a really good movie. It has a nice plot with some treasure hunters in the desert and some poisened water, but overall I think 12 is a pretty good rating for it. Some parts like seeing diseased people can be a little scary, but violence isnt really an issue in this movie. Its mostly an action adventure and not an intense freaky gory shooter.
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jennbeau
adult
adult
Kept me interested!!!
The two guys in this film make a great comedy pair!!! Starts out a little slow but Matthew doesn't dissapoint!!!
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mdpack
parent of 5 and 5 year old
parent of 5 and 5 year old
One of my favorites
I can watch this movie over and over. It has wonderful character development, excellent story line, great one liners for humor mixed in with some great action. While the action is sometimes perhaps unrealistic that is what makes this movie fun to watch it walks the line between realistic and not possible. At the same time tells a fun fictional story and shows conflict between people, man and nature.
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Joey123
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Very clean.
I absolutely love this movi!!! I've seen it so many times I've lost count. The only sexual situations are when Dirk makes a veiled reference to sex when he says "everything good has happened to me in the water" and when Dirk and Eva kiss on the beach(She's in a bikini and the scene is short.) Language consists of 2-4 h--ll, 2-4 d-mn, and 2-3 a--words. All in all very little, especially for a PG-13 film.
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drake0013
adult
adult
Very Good
I have read that others think it is unfair towards blacks by killing them without regard. However, the movie takes place in Africa. Of course the bad guy army is black. The good guy army is black as well. And, in the end, the good guys win. Race is a non-issue here. Also, I don't feel it was unfair towards women, unless making a woman a brilliant, caring doctor who saves the hero's life is unfair. The movie is silly, but very fun to watch.
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