Common Sense Media Review
Gory vigilante political thriller for adults only.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shooter
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a thrilling and intense action film that combines violence with strong messages, making it entertaining yet not suitable for younger audiences. While many appreciate the well-paced plot and significant action scenes, they also note that its graphic nature—featuring blood, swearing, and moments of emotional depth—makes it appropriate mainly for teens aged 15 and older.
- intense action
- graphic violence
- suitable for teens
- strong messages
- emotional depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Mark Wahlberg stars as Bob Lee Swagger, a government-trained sniper with a keen eye for accuracy and a long memory. Destroyed by the fact that the government left him behind in Ethiopia and by his best friend's death in a gun fight, Swagger has retired into the far reaches of the mountains. But then Colonel Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) comes calling, asking Swagger to defend his country from an imminent presidential assassination. Soon, Swagger is consulting on how a marksman would shoot the president -- only to be shot twice himself and then accused of the attempted assassination. Along the way, FBI agent Nick Memphis (Michael Pena) starts to unravel the weak case against Swagger, and eventually the pair find themselves facing down the U.S. military. But can they stop the bad guys and get justice for the people unfairly killed in Africa?
Is It Any Good?
With a name like SHOOTER, you wouldn't expect this political thriller to be sedate and dignified. But you also might not anticipate the extent and graphicness of the movie's violence -- or its unrelentingly depressing message. Over-the-top violence aside, Shooter is determined to sell viewers on the belief that the U.S. government is rotten to the core. By the time Senator Charles F. Meachum (Ned Beatty) says "There's always a confused soul who thinks one man can make a difference, and you have to kill him to convince him otherwise," viewers aren't surprised -- they're nauseated.
That's not to say there aren't fun things about Shooter. It's like a combination of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, MacGyver, Syriana, and Rambo. People who love shoot-em-ups, explosions, and car crashes will be in heaven (no pun intended). And Pena is a standout as the sharp-minded recent academy graduate. He provides the heart in this otherwise bloody-but-heartless film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why these sorts of violent movies are appealing. After a movie like this, how do you feel? Do you feel more or less safe in the world? Is the violence necessary to convey the movie's message? Why or why not? Families can also discuss how to react when you're unhappy about how the government is acting. If you believe, as Bob does, that the government is corrupt, how do you deal with that? What are the options? What do you think of Bob's choice?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 23, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : June 26, 2007
- Cast : Danny Glover , Mark Wahlberg , Michael Pena
- Director : Antoine Fuqua
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong graphic violence and some language.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate