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Vantage Point
- Review Date: February 19, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Disappointing action flick centers on terrorism.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that some teens may be drawn to this political action adventure by its all-star cast of popular/award-wining actors (including Matthew Fox of Lost, Dennis Quaid, Sigourney Weaver, and Forest Whitaker). The film revolves around a terrorist attack on the U.S. president and features scenes of explosions killing a crowd of people, a suicide bomber detonating in a posh hotel's lobby, high-ranking officials being shot at execution-style, and other bloody deaths. Language includes words like "s--t" and "bitch"; it's worth noting that there's markedly less commercialism and drug/alcohol use than in comparable films.
What's the story?
Dennis Quaid leads an all-star ensemble in Irish filmmaker Pete Travis' feature debut, VANTAGE POINT. At a global political summit on terror and peace in Spain, a group of Spanish, American, and Moroccan people collide as the president of the United States (William Hurt) becomes the target of an elaborately planned terrorist attack. The film focuses on one person's point of view at a time -- Quaid's veteran Secret Service Agent Thomas Barnes, for example -- and, after 20 minutes or so, "rewinds" and recreates the same event from another character's perspective. Audiences see the events through the eyes of an American tourist (Forest Whitaker), a Spanish-Muslim assassin (Edgar Ramirez), a news-network producer (Sigourney Weaver), etc., until all the loose ends are neatly tied up in the final act.
Is it any good?
But what begins as a promising action thriller with the gripping real-time suspense of 24 and the fast-editing style of the last two Bourne films starts turning into an odd Groundhog Day gimmick by the third POV change. After a while, viewers will probably start laughing at the concept. Instead of changing the perspective seamlessly, Travis shows the scenes rewinding (ala a DVR being used to return to the beginning of an important sequence) over and over again. By the time Whitaker's tourist begins running around Salamanca like a deputized Secret Service Agent, the movie is officially annoying. But at least Whitaker's Spanish -- as a tourist! -- is better than Matthew Fox's and Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer's, both of whom are supposedly fluent or native speakers.
Travis is obviously a fan (and friend) of filmmaker Paul Greengrass, who wrote and produced a TV movie that Travis directed in 2006. But where Greengrass' documentary approach in movies like Bloody Sunday draws viewers into the action, Travis' attempt alienates audiences, who will tire of seeing the same 25 minutes and want to hit an invisible fast-forward button to get to the film's outcome.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie portrays the United States, the president, and terrorists. Are there parallels to modern U.S. politics? How so? Is it common in recent films for the American government and its leaders to be shown negatively -- especially in films that take place abroad? Why or why not? What message do you think the movie is trying to send?
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AGE
Exciting :D
This was pretty interesting. The movie shows the point of view of about... 5 people. During each one, something more is revealed, so you never really know thee truth until the end. Yeah its a bout a terrorist plot to kill the president. Quite a few people are killed; and what seems like the perfect crime is a catastrophe, all because of a few people. Lots of shooting and dead people pops. Some cursing too. The president was interpreted as a good person, despite the fact Bush was in office back then... ANYWAYS... What I really loved was the ending newscast. "Authorities confirm the Lone Gunman has been shot and killed" Ring A Bell?!! So JFK!! I was just making a documentary on that so I was like 'Wow that was good!' Well yeah... Good Movie
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AGE
fantastic thriller
awesome movie. I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie. It's not as bloody as most people think. This is one of those films that you will want to watch over and over again. 8+
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AGE
AWESOME!!!
this movie was so good!!! its prbbly better 4 teens or tweens but overalll it was awesome! it was very violent with lots of shooting and a really intense car chase. A bomb went off in the beginning and lots of ppl died.
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AGE
Very good.... but very violent
This movie was really good. It became a little annoying after watching the same scence like 8 times from different points of views. I heard many people in the movie theather groan when they would go to another point of view. All in all this movie was violent, not for children under 13. But it was a very true statement and with all of the fear of a terrorist attack, this movie rings true.
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AGE
Brainless action-thriller is fun and exciting; OK for teens
Vantage Point is one of those forgettable action flicks that won't turn many heads, rouse many people, or teach anything important. However, this doesn't mean it's horrible. In fact, its 24-esque feel makes it really fun to watch. Dennis Quaid turns in a commendable performance, as does Sigourney Weaver, Matthew Fox, and Forrest Whittaker. The story isn't smart or new, but it does introduce an anti-terrorist message: something rare nowadays. Overall, Vantage Point is a fun albeit brainless actionier with good performances and a fine plot. Due to intense (and occasionally bloody) violence and brief strong language, this movie is only OK for teens.
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AGE
Violent, scary movie.
Violent movie; did not like it much. There was too much shooting and bloodshed, and it was not good to see someone who was pretending to be loyal to the Secret Service actually help in the planning of the assassination of the President.
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AGE
The review doesn't say this but Dennis Quaid says the f word.
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AGE
Boring for Younger Kids…
This is a great movie. It might not be too interesting for younger kids though. It has some pretty intense violence.
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Pete Travis |
| Cast: | Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 21, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | July 1, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of intense violence and action, some disturbing images and brief strong language. |
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