Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gun violence, language in unoriginal action thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Classified
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CLASSIFIED, Evan Shaw (Aaron Eckhart) is an assassin who has been working for the CIA for a long time. Or at least, that's what he thinks. But on one mission, he stumbles into a young woman (Abigail Breslin) who seems to know a lot about him. Meanwhile, Shaw's handler has gone missing. Who can Shaw trust?
Is It Any Good?
Unfortunately, this film has too many problems to warrant a recommendation. So many other action thrillers do what Classified is trying to do, better and smarter. To start with, there are glaring tonal issues throughout, and Abigail Breslin, while charming to a degree, is still woefully miscast. The action, fight scenes, and gunplay are all incredibly uninventive, and it's surprising how lazy it all feels. Many "bad guy" extras stand around waiting to be shot, like none of these "professionals" have ever heard of cover or basic battlefield tactics. Despite the occasional "serious" tone, none of the stakes feel real. The script and dialogue sorely needed a few rewrites, and the lack of any polish really makes this movie feel rushed.
Further, there is a laughable sequence halfway in that is stunningly incongruent with everything that comes before it. And lastly, the title ends up not having anything to do with the plot, story, or characters involved at all. Stay clear of this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in action thrillers. Did any of the violence in Classified surprise you? Do you feel like the violence makes this film more entertaining? Why, or why not?
How realistic do you feel this film is? Did anything take you out of the experience?
Are you satisfied with how this movie ends? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2024
- Cast : Aaron Eckhart , Abigail Breslin , Tim Roth , Matt Hookings
- Director : Roel Reine
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and language
- Last updated : November 5, 2024
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