Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so action movie has lots of fighting, other iffy stuff.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
12 Rounds
What's the Story?
In 12 ROUNDS, New Orleans cop Danny Fisher (John Cena) luckily catches international arms dealer Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen). Fisher is promoted for his work, but a year later he still feels remorse over the fact Jackson's girlfriend Erika (Taylor Cole) died during the arrest. Miles is still upset about it, too -- and, having escaped from prison, he proceeds to abduct Fisher's girlfriend Molly (Ashley Scott) and set Fisher a series of 12 tasks. If Fisher fails, Molly dies. ...
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Renny Harlin, 12 Rounds doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel; its plot is a recycling of Die Hard with a Vengance. In essence, a maniacal criminal gives a cop a series of orders that feel like part of a crazy game but actually have a more specific intent than just sowing chaos and despair.
Cena's dedicated tough-guy cop is adequate -- as an actor, Cena's a heck of a wrestler -- and Gillen (best known as Baltimore Mayor Tommy Carcetti on The Wire) brings a fevered energy to his role as the master manipulator bad guy, an arms dealer who has more in common with comic-book geniuses like The Joker than real arms traders. While 12 Rounds is well-made and energetic, it isn't unique enough to go the distance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of action films -- why do so many movies revolve around cops, criminals, and the challenges of maintaining order? What's the impact of watching so much action violence?
Do you think a situation like the one in the movie could ever happen in real life?
The movie was backed by the entertainment arm of World Wrestling Entertainment. Why do you think they want to turn John Cena into a movie star as well as a wrestling star?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 27, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : June 30, 2009
- Cast : Aidan Gillen , Ashley Scott , John Cena
- Director : Renny Harlin
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Fox Atomic
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence and action.
- Last updated : July 2, 2022
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