Futureweapons

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Guns, bombs, and tanks loaded with rhetoric.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this documentary-style show demonstrates weapons that are new or forthcoming. Viewers see guns, tanks, bombs, and other war-related technology being tested and occasionally used in real life (footage of bombs being dropped in Iraq, for example). Some test footage repeats multiple times during a single episode, reinforcing the particular weapon's destructiveness. Though most segments only allude to the destruction of human life, some show examples of a weapon's power, such as one in which a test dummy's body disintegrates in the face of an explosion. In one episode, viewers briefly see real human skin that's been affected by the anthrax virus. Content is potentially scary to viewers of all ages, especially in a time when war and violence are a steady feature on the news.

  • Weaponry is fetishized to an extent; called "toys" on occasion. The show is assertively pro-military, specific to the U.S. military and some of its allies -- so the "us against them" idea is present.
  • The entire show focuses on weapons, warfare, and violence. Computer graphics and real footage of weaponry in action. Occasional real-life warfare is shown, though no death.
  • Not applicable.
  • Occasional "hell" -- used not as a curse, but as a location.
  • Weapons are very expensive to produce, and mention of their price is sometimes used to emphasize how impressive they are.
  • Rare smoking seen in background.

What's the story?

The documentary-style series FUTUREWEAPONS details emerging warfare technology, such as a so-called smart bomb that, after being dropped from a plane, splits into 40 different heat-seeking missiles and delivers incredibly accurate results. Host/former U.S. Navy Seal Richard "Mack" Machowicz tours the world looking at new or prototype guns, tanks, bombs, and more, testing many of the weapons himself and interviewing the designers and engineers behind the goods. Mack, a stern figure with a shaved head and an intense demeanor, rarely smiles and often uses tough talk to match his military persona. While most of the show discusses weapons without much emphasis on the human toll they're designed to take, some segments do address this fact. In an episode about weapons specifically created to elicit fear in their targets, for example, viewers see brief shots of real human skin eaten away by anthrax.


Is it any good?

 

When talking about war and weaponry, it's difficult not to think about politics. Futureweapons clearly stands behind the U.S. military and America's current foreign policy. Most of the weapons featured are designed by the United States, and those that aren't are from Israel or European countries. When meeting with an Israeli military officer to discuss the Tavor rifle, Mack and the officer joke around about the gun, calling it a "new toy." The officer's proclamation that he will sleep better at night knowing that this rifle is being designed is unquestioned, and the Palestinian perspective is completely absent.

A similar implicit agreement with the Iraq War pops up. Mack shows footage of bombs being dropped in Iraq and dramatically talks about their ability to "deliver a clear message to the target below." Because Mack and his interviewees discuss guns and other weapons with almost-fetishistic adoration -- and due to the occasional descriptions of a weapon's affect on the human body -- many parents will find Futureweapons a questionable choice for younger viewers. If parents decide to let teens watch, they may want to remind them that while the technology may be fascinating, it's important to keep in mind that these are tools designed to kill people.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about war and weaponry. What are family members' feelings about war in general? What about current global conflicts? What are the benefits of creating new war technologies? How do you think weapon designers deal with the fact that their work is designed to kill? What political issues are absent from the show's discussion of weaponry? What is the effect of language and rhetoric (like that used by the host) in warfare?


This review was written by Sierra Filucci
Adult
April 9, 2008
 

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
its awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this show is awsome ive seen just about all the episodes all good!!!!!!!!!!

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Explosions =)
Unless your kid is realy scared of things like explosions this is a pretty good show.Most of the weapons are american so no point being scared of them.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
the violence isnt bad cause they just show weapons and give demonstrations, not on real people. this is one of the best shows ive evr watched. i watch every episode. if you like military techno watch this show. It will give you great insite on military weapons, history, and technology.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
 
rpgs bombs and machine guns what next?
I like when they use real scenes with mac with a weapon on a mission.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Discovery Channel
Cast:Richard Machowicz
Genre:Educational

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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