 | 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. |
Surrogates
- Review Date: September 24, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Edgy sci-fi thriller is very violent; not for tweens/kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Surrogates pushes the limits of its PG-13 rating. Yes, it's set in a futuristic world and most of the violence and mayhem is directed at robot "surrogates," but the images are still disturbingly bloody and destructive because these surrogates are portrayed by (and look exactly like) humans. There are lots of shootings with direct hits at close range, bodies flying through the air, multiple crashes that leave many dead or severely wounded, beatings, burnings, and explosions. Scenes graphically depict the extermination of the human replicas. Strong language is fairly infrequent but includes "s--t"; there's also a good bit of drinking, as well as some futuristic drug use. Sexual activity is portrayed in only a few scenes, but it's shown as casual and self-indulgent and involves promiscuity (but no nudity).
What's the story?
SURROGATES is set in a future in which most human beings ("operators") avoid relationships, activity, interaction, and participation in the simple act of living by isolating themselves in their homes and conducting their daily "public" lives via automated, perfect-looking, nearly indestructible robots known as "surries." Using their own surrogates, FBI Agent Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) and his partner are ordered to investigate the murder of the son of the mastermind of surrogate technology, Dr. Lionel Canter (James Cromwell). When Greer's own surry is destroyed, the real -- and now much more vulnerable -- FBI agent is forced from the insular safety of his operator's lair into the city streets. Efforts to solve the crime find Greer joining a contingent of the very few people who find the surrogate world unequivocally wrong. These hold-outs ("meatbags"), led by The Prophet (Ving Rhames), have been banished to reservations, where they attempt to counter the quietly menacing forces that have a hold on humanity.
Is it any good?
Using a graphic novel by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele as source material, director Jonathan Mostow and the screenwriters work hard to examine society's blind acceptance of the mechanization that's rapidly gaining on us -- and to reveal its dangers. Unfortunately, while the movie offers some intriguing visuals and imaginative and skillful action sequences -- along with an interesting premise -- the film is undone by wooden performances, a less-than-subtle message, twists that are easy to spot, and some ludicrous motivation. And a subplot about Greer's failing relationship with his wife after the death of their son is melodramatic and very thin.
Bottom line? This is a movie about humanity's disconnect that feels soulless and shallow, even disconnected itself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have less impact because most of the victims are technically robots? Does the fact that they look more human than machine affect your reaction?
What is the movie saying about technology? Can you think of ways that technology could inhibit your active participation in life around you? Is there a way to safeguard against that?
All of the surrogates seem to be extremely beautiful, handsome, and very fit. What is the movie saying about how we see ourselves and the value we place on outward appearances?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
October 11, 2009
AGE
COME ON! Love this movie no human violence WAY wrong review by CSM
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AGE
violent sci-fi thriller
this movie was exceptionally violent. people control surrogates so that they look young as they go about their everyday lives. there is a night club where a young boy and girl were kissing extremely passionately, and there is a lot of killing. a special weapon was created so that when a surrogate died, the person controlling it died as well. a whole feature nation was nearly wiped out with a certain weapon, and the main character finds himself frequently in tight spots. however, i think this movie was really good. i think its NOT for kids or tweens, and okay for mature teens. all in all, violent, but a great movie.
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AGE
Not a perfect adaptation, but a nice sci-fi thriller
I, unlike most people who are seeing this movie, have actually read the source material (a graphic novel) and think this is a good adaptation, but plot twists are added in order to appeal to a broader audience (they end up failing somewhat, except for when the surrogates get killed in the film, the person controlling it gets his/her brain liquefied; in the novel, only the surrogate dies and it's just a property violation). The story is basic, but awesome: in the year 2017, people basically live their lives through complex androids called surrogates, and one company named VSI makes them. Life is basically perfect. However, when the founder of VSI's son is killed through his surrogate, things get real ugly, real fast. On the content side of things, this is worse than the graphic novel, which was a strong PG in my opinion. The film, on the other hand, is a hard PG-13. There's some pretty bloody imagery when people are killed through their surrogates. Also, surrogates do get shot, and white/green liquid (probably oil) comes out. On the sex side, the scene in the club has a bit of erotic dancing, and two surrogates make out shortly after. Also, in a party scene of sorts, several surrogates each take a turn using a bong-shaped electrode/syringe thing filled with blue liquid to stimulate their senses...like a futuristic drug, I guess. If your kid's under 14, I don't think they should see this film. If you do see this awesome film, I highly suggest you also read the graphic novel and its sequel, Surrogates: Flesh and Bone.
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AGE
There were more sex scenes than mentioned in the review.
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AGE
This movie had nothing original or entertaining to offer in the genre. Only suitable for older youth (teens), due to violence and some disturbing concepts.
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AGE
Wouldn't see it again
The reviews on this site aren't very accurate because they commonly overlook the extensive sex in the majority of the films I've seen. I rented Pride and Glory and there was a topless woman running down the stairs that was not even mentioned in the movie rating or in the review on this site. It was not a quick glance, either. Another example is shown in the movie Surrogates. A woman in a thong was shown (from the back, of course) for about 30 seconds laying in a bed and walking around. I have also seen several movies with very graphic same sex scenes that were not mentioned in the review. For the people on here doing the reviews: If you are going to review the movie for parents to make informed decisions, please do it right.
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AGE
Pretty good. Kind of odd.
ROBOT DRUGS!
Hahaha.
You know what I'm talking about. (:
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AGE
great yet violent
this was a good movie for the age appropriate audience. the futuristic idea of living life through a robot is fun and controversal. positive messages are sent to the audience when the main character must chose to spare or destroy all the robots in order to restore mankind. the people in the movie who dont use the surrogates are prety violent and rude. overall if you like bruce willis you'll like this movie. all his movies are about the same; rarely sexual content, lots of action and fast paced car chases and an awesome story line :)
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AGE
Watch For Violence!!!!
This movie was pretty good overall. bruce willis is very good and portrays a good and honest man. after a while, i think the violence in the movie gets a bit much and there is a little bit of sex but other than that it is a good movie. there are a few gruesome images but nothing a mature audience cant handle.
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| Studio: | Touchstone Pictures |
| Director: | Jonathan Mostow |
| Cast: | Bruce Willis, James Cromwell, Ving Rhames |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 25, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | January 26, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene |
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