Red Dawn (1984)

Although violent at times, Red Dawn is a feel good patriotic movie that promotes a message that no matter what the odds, a small group working together can achieve an outcome thought impossible!

Though this 80's movie is surprisingly violent at times, most teenagers could probably handle it. Nevertheless, expect a ton of shooting, explosions, and somewhat uncomfortable scenes. In fact, the most graphic scene occurs when one of the Wolverine's choose to execute a traitor in their midst. This scene includes a point blank shooting of an unarmed individual, with the victims body falling over the shooter, leaving a large, bloody smear across his uniform. There are numerous other scenes of people being shot, sometimes with accompanying sight of blood, but rarely any, if any at all, injury detail. There are also 3-ish uses of the s-word, along with SOB, though its far from gratuitous.

This movie, released in 1984, is not on par with the intensity and level of violence of more recent films. But the theme of American high school boys and girls as guerrilla fighters in middle America is tough to watch. In the opening scene, the high school is attacked by invading Soviets, the history teacher and students gunned down. A small group escapes to the hills, relying on wilderness survival skills and eventually launching guerrilla raids. One teen witnesses a firing squad mow down a line of civilians, including his father. In another disturbing scene, the high school kids argue about killing one of their team who they learn was forced by the enemy to swallow a tracking device, putting them all in danger. Another boy shoots him at close range, the boy's body falls against the shooter and vibrant red blood smears across his white snow-camouflage outfit. Towards the end, one of the girls get shot during a helicopter attack and the boy leader pulls her to some bushes for cover. She fears getting captured and tortured to talk, so she pleads with her friend to shoot her. The CSM review fails to mention these scenes. We'd had enough at that point and turned it off. As a family with a 13year old boy, we watch old war movies showing patriotism and heroic acts by soldiers, with violence, shooting at close range, etc. And yes, some of those soldiers were pretty young but the movies show those characters as still soft and unhardened. It's a different thing to have American high school boys and girls as the hardened fighters. Plus, it's just not a very good film, pretty cheesy and lame at times. If you have to watch it, save this movie for older teens.

It shows people that being brave is the best thing to explain this movie the main reason is violence its not like Black Hawks Down Its like indiana jones but a little more blood theres some swear words but not a lot.

Nonsense plot, no characters, lame action. Civilians and soldiers constantly shot up with lots of blood. Todays PG13 movies are G compared to this.

Very interesting movie....in todays world this movie is something to open your eyes to....It is the age of the " Unthinkable " just look around your everyday life...

The original review on this page said there were a few prophanities, but failed to mention at least 3 blasphemies against God ( GD) which is much worse than sh** or bullsh** or a**. I stopped watching the movie because of this. The storyline is very interesting, but I was so disappointed at the blasphemy I couldn't finish the move. Blessed be the name of God forever.

Safe and comforting should not be the words that first spring to mind when reviewing a movie like Red Dawn, a film that advertises itself as a terrifying peek into an all too possible, at least to 1984 cinema goers, alternate reality, but they are the first that sprung to mine as the end credits rolled. The "what would ordinary, everyday teenagers do if their country was suddenly, and without warning, invaded" premise is a thought provoking and a scary one. The answers Red Dawn gives to it are not. Turns out ordinary, everyday teenagers will basically behave like good little patriots; they will be brave, strong and keep the all American ideals of Mom's homemade apple pie foremost in their hearts; they will make the difficult choices that have to be made, without flinching, and when death comes it will be in a glorious last stand against the oppressor. All feel good stuff. Patriotism isn't necessarily a bad thing, but as a substitute for character development. Not Good. One thing Red Dawn does have plenty of however is action, most of which is pretty tame as far a blood and guts standpoint. Young boys will love it though older folks may find it a bit blandly staged and shot. Far more satisfying is Australian author John Marsden's "Tomorrow, When the War Began" and its sequels (look them up) which tells a similar story but with none of Red Dawn's faults. Read them instead.