Let me just say that I'm an adult horror fan, I tend to laugh at horror movies and the violence here was a bit much for me. This stuff passes for normal nowadays and your older teen, if they watch action movies, can probably handle it. The deaths of characters who aren't basically immortal are handled very seriously, and a lot of the misbehavior (specifically the violence and drug use) is shown with two basically immortal guys who cannot die. Why would they not smoke and drink? It won't kill them. In that sense it's a bit less harmful than other characters. That's why I have little moral issue with the violence and drinking here, but do think it should be saved for older kids who can grasp that they have nothing in common with Wolverine.
And yet there is moral stuff here. This movie is about Wolverine developing a conscience. That's a pretty good idea. Wolverine's girlfriend always tries to find non-violent solutions to problems, again acting as a sort of conscience. The characters who try to fight, aside from Wolverine, get killed in various ways. It's not a broad, anti-fighting movie. It's personal, nuanced, more provocative of discussion than any specific outcome. Perfect for older kids who need to find their own moral compasses through discussion anyway.
In terms of the actual movie, it's kinda slow and confusing. I'm a casual X-men fan and I had to watch with about six wikipedia tabs open. Well produced, decent CG (and I hate CG, so that says something), great acting from Jackman and the lady who played Wolvie's girlfriend. Ryan Renolds is a show stealer, and that rapper guy was... surprisingly decent.
I've started reviewing movies here primarily because my 13 year old is the trend setter of the family. I have two younger daughters and would never let them watch this movie. My oldest loves superheroes and has seen most of the Heroes episodes, which has far more blood than this movie. She has also seen the other Xmen movies, but I ultimately decided not to let her watch this movie just yet based on the level of constant violence, sex, and adult language.
The language is just over the edge with many of the expletives described above. One or two is my limit, but I particularly draw the line when the hero uses this language consistently.
Sexual content is another sensitive subject for my family - and this again was a bit too much. Wolverine is shown completely naked in an extended scene (but he's much too far away to make out any parts). He is shown in bed with a woman he is clearly not married to and they have many intimate kissing scenes.
The clencher is the violence. As described, it is non-stop. Shooting, impalings, beheadings... it just goes on and on. It's just too much for a young teen. I also agree that the violence washes down any positive messages, so I'm not including those in my review.
While I, personally, enjoyed the movie - it was not my favorite of the series. My vote is to wait a few years for my oldest to see, so I'm voting this movie OK for 15 and over.
The X-Men franchise may contain super-heroes, but one must understand that the characters are more emotionally complex than most other super-hero movies. Within their "mutant" identities we see X-Men and other mutants come to terms with prejudice, assimilation, and exploitation. This is not Superman.
Kids familiar with the comic will know more what to expect from this movie and will likely not be disappointed. You might want to consider weather your 10-13 year-old child is ready to understand these types of topics before letting them see this.
In this movie we learn the source of Wolverine's post-traumatic stress disorder and the variables that fuel his general distrust for relationships. The war scenes are brief, but very suggestive of the horrid violence and mindless killing that can come with war.
Wolverine is a complicated character-- more so than Batman or other Superhero movies we have seen recently. This movie shows us why he struggles with identity issues above and beyond simple memory loss. Make sure your kid can grasp these concepts or for them it will just be another action flick of mindless killing and revenge.
Reviews are iffy but I took a group of 14-16 year olds and they loved it. I thought it was fine for what it is. Some gore and cursing but have seen alot worse at this rating. Probably too much for younger kids.It is non-stop when it gtes started....
Well this movie deffinantely does not come close to the x men movies, well actually its about as bad as xmen 3 was. It's a very dissapointing movie especially with all the hype surrounding it.
I went with my 10 year old and my boyfriend and I took him and left about 30 minutes into it. The violence was too excessive and very inappropriate for a young child. Maybe be ok for a mature teen and adults.
pretty good the first time around but my husband has to watch things repeatedly so im sick of it but it is a really good movie. cant wait for the next one.
My 6yr.-old son wanted to see this, because he's a fan of the Wolverine cartoon series. Thankfully, I kept him away, and only the adults saw it. Unfortunately, it's not much good for adults either! See me review it with my father at: *youtube*/gabndad
Go see it with all your kids! Even the 5 year old loved it!!
Ok, I have to disagree that this movie had no explanation like it was supposed to! I understood that HELLO he is a mutant and wont age because he grew up and that was it, his name was James Logan, and the premise was that you dont have to kill just because you can, It is not overly violent I took all four of my kids even the 5 yr old who was cheering at many parts of the movie, the end villan was awesome , and their were no heavy makeout scenes, one kiss is the most their was, As far as the naked scene( My favorite part of the movie was the repeat bare chests of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and Liev whatever his last name is even looked good in this movie!) Anyways, the naked scene is about two seconds as he is running away and then you see a shot of his butt and nothing else. If you have superhero fans, they will love this movie, and the kids being captured is not obvious until they call them kids they are teenagers not kids and they all make it out safe so nothing traumatic! Overly sensitive parents are not gonna like it but if you are not too strict and dont try to shelter your kids out of everything they will be fine!! Its a good action movie and I dont let go of 60 bucks easily and I did it happily today!
I personally loved this movie. My 8 year old wanted to see it because of the constant trailers on tv and commerical placements in stores, theatre, etc. However, I told him that it was very violent and not okay for children to watch.
Saw this movie with my son and his friend of the same age(8). I grew up watching X-men and we've watched all the xmen movies.
This one is definantly more "intense" and "dark" then the previous 3..save the last xmen, that possesed alittle of the darkness you see in Wolverine.
The beginning part(when they show the credits) was the most intense for the boys..it showed wolverine and his brother fighting in all wars..so usual war stuff, fighting, killing,ect. My son's friend told me afterward that part scared him alittle. the rest of the movie, I heard them either laughing or going "Oh Wow!" during the fight scenes.
I enjoyed it, as it filled in alot of the gaps regarding wolverine's history and why he "is the way he is".
I took my nearly 13 year old son (we have enjoyed all the x-men movies together) and I really wish I hadn't. The violence was excessive and brutal, and virtually non-stop. Because of Wolverine's mutation, the violence is much more graphic and "real" than I normally see in comic/superhero movies. I enjoyed the movie but wish that I had not taken my son without seeing it first. Admittedly, Wolverine does have some redemptive qualities and there are morals that you can discuss, but I was so concerned about what my son was seeing, that I found it hard to focus.
I've never been into the X men films but went to see this for a nice non thinking summer movie day.And I was surprised it was pretty good I enjoyed it not the best but a good start to summer movies.