Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action sequel with lots of violence, language, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
S.W.A.T.: Under Siege
What's the Story?
In S.W.A.T.: UNDER SIEGE, the DEA enlists a Seattle S.W.A.T. team to aid in capturing members of a drug cartel and seizing a drug shipment. Instead of drugs they discover the container holds the mysterious Scorpion (Michael Jai White), who is wanted by the drug cartel and whose allegiances are unclear. He is taken to S.W.A.T. headquarters where the people who want him will stop at nothing to get him back.
Is It Any Good?
If you're watching the direct-to-video sequel of a popular franchise, you pretty much should know what you're getting into. The quality will not be the same, it won't feature the original stars, and its only purpose is to make some easy cash with as little effort as possible. S.W.A.T.: Under Siege meets all of those characteristics, and then some. To call the dialogues laughable would be to give them some credit, when they're nothing but clichés delivered with forced gravitas. To call the twists surprising, instead of preposterous, would be trying too hard to find some value in this film.
Perhaps the best way to watch it is to make as little effort as possible in trying to find any virtues in it and just surrender to the constant action sequences. Like vintage action films from the early '90s, S.W.A.T.: Under Siege only wants to provide viewers with as many bullets and punches as it can, who cares whether they're justified or not. Its saving grace is Michael Jai White, who plays a cipher of a character, but one who punches and shoots with inimitable style.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how S.W.A.T.: Under Siege compares to previous films in the franchise. Is it as good or entertaining? How could it have been better?
How does the Scorpion show courage throughout the film? How does actor Michale Jai White convey the character's inner life with few dialogues?
How does Travis show kindness as a leader? How does actor Sam Jaeger play this?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 1, 2017
- Cast : Michael Jai White , Adrianne Palicki , Sam Jaeger
- Director : Tony Giglio
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and language throughout
- Last updated : May 3, 2024
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