 | 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. |
This Means War
- Review Date: February 15, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Lackluster action romcom has violence, sexual references.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that This Means War is a romantic comedy-meets-spy thriller with lots of sexual innuendo, passionate kissing, and action violence (including shooting and some deaths, though nothing particularly graphic). The language includes one use of "f--k," as well as "s--t," "bitch," "ass," "d--k," and the like. There's one love scene and several references to sex (including doing it with two guys as a "tiebreaker") and many make-out scenes. Although the movie's premise is comical, it can also send the iffy message that lying about who you are can win someone's heart. Note: The movie was initially rated R but was re-rated PG-13 upon appeal.
What's the story?
CIA partners FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are best friends who have each other's back at all times ... until they both fall for the same woman, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon). When they realize that they're both seeing her, the pals agree to compete for her affection and then enlist their coworkers to start spying on her to get the inside track to win her heart. Meanwhile, the spies have to contend with Heinrich (Til Schweiger), a vengeful international arms dealer whose brother died because of FDR and Tuck. But they're too busy wooing Lauren to realize that the German baddie has figured out exactly how to enact his revenge.
Is it any good?
THIS MEANS WAR's premise is admittedly cute, and it stars a trio of appealing, talented actors, but it fails to deliver on anything but a few easy laughs and a constant reminder that Witherspoon is one of Hollywood's irresistible sweethearts. Its downfall is that the central love triangle features the stereotypical foils of a fun-loving and sweet (read: boring) single dad (Hardy) versus a womanizing cad with a secret heart of gold (read: edgy), played by Pine.
These guys act like fraternity brothers who've bet on who can bed a girl first, all under the guise of discovering true love. But true love isn't based on subterfuge and spies. And regardless of whom Lauren chooses, neither man is truly worthy of her, because they both lie to her and endanger their friendship in the process. Sure, there's a supposedly happy ending, but it feels like the decks are fundamentally stacked against the nice guy, since he doesn't undergo a big personality change during the courtship. While all three leads have all been great in other films, this one is a forgettable disappointment.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why so many movies, books, and more revolve around the premise of a love triangle. What's the appeal of that kind of story? Do you think it's a realistic situation?
What messages does This Means War send about relationships? Do you think Lauren treats one or both of the men unfairly? Are the men wrong to spy on Lauren to get ahead in the competition for her love? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding love and relationships.
Tuck's ex-wife becomes interested in him again when she finds out he's really a CIA agent. Are women only interested in men with "cool" or well-paying jobs? Would you want to be in a relationship with someone whose interest in you was based on your job?
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AGE
have not seen yet
i have not seen this movie and realy want to but i do think that parents need to keep in mind that this movie is rated pg13 and will probably contain some content that you or your child would rather not see or hear once agin piease keep this in mind
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Kid, 11 years old
February 15, 2012
AGE
This Means War
This was a very good movie. There were frequent combat scenes. And there were two scenes of sensuality, but overall it wasn't that raunchy. F*** was used once and Trish frequently used sexual talk. Overall, this was a good movie.
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AGE
mkifvdkg
Spy VRS. Spy for one lady is Action-Packed and Funny.
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AGE
great date movie!
This was a great date movie for my husband and me. I got the romance. He got the action and we both enjoyed the comedy. This movie is not for kids.
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AGE
NOT for kids!
My husband and I went to see this a few days ago. I'm still reeling over the violence, language and sexuality present in a movie that was rated PG-13. It should have been rated R. As an adult you can look past these issues and laugh at what is actually a pretty funny movie; however, had our kids been with us, we would have had to walk out. Our kids (13 and 16) would not have WANTED to see a movie like this. Perhaps we shouldn't have stayed to watch either. I am pretty disappointed that Reese Witherspoon would even choose a project like this that could be viewed by young teens.
Much could be written regarding the complete lack of morals in this movie. Healthy friendships were also non-existent. The violence was unrealistic in the sheer volume of collateral damage. Lying was prevalent.
I think if I had to choose one positive aspect to focus on about the movie it would be it's attitude towards marriage: you can be happy with one person for your whole life, but it might take a little work and self-analysis, and it's important to choose wisely.
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Kid, 11 years old
February 21, 2012
AGE
Walke out.
We had to leave. Too much reference to things that were sexual. I thought it would be more of a spy movie with a girl twist. The woman's friend was just so rude and nothing positive in the characters. I expected more from Reese.
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AGE
my bad decision
...left theater with a sick stomach that I let my daughters see this movie (and I am not uber-conservative). The story is fine (pick one guy, don't have multiple boyfriends), but that goes by the wayside with all the sexual inuendos, comments & scenes -every minute! I kept thinking, "okay, please stop" and it never did. I am way more concerned about exposure to sexual content then any other issue. Bad choice for both sexes because the context was learning how to be a boyfriend/girlfriend - right where they are right now.....
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AGE
This Movie Is Terrible!!
I'm 17 years old and me and some friends went to go see it..... I don't care if you are 17 or 70 its inappropriate for any one. The movie would be a whole lot better if it didn't have Chealsey Handler in it she has such a filthy mouth!!! Don't waste your money!!!!!
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AGE
Meh
ehh. . . it was really stupid, unoriginal, innappropriate. . . i guess the last scene was a little funny. . . but overall the movie was innappropriate. . . sex, sexual jokes, more sexual jokes, and more sexual jokes made me feel akward -_- And itwas boring and uninteresting. The only reason i gave it two stars was because the very last scen made me laugh a little bit. . . pretty darn bad for kids. . . The violence, however, is ok for tweens
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| Topics: | friendship |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | McG |
| Cast: | Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 14, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | May 22, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content including references, some violence and action, and for language (on appeal; previously rated R) |
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