Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Diverse but underwhelming assassin flick is very violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Protege
What's the Story?
THE PROTÉGÉ follows Anna (Maggie Q), a woman who was raised by an assassin named Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) to follow in his footsteps as a hired killer. But when Moody is seemingly killed, Anna goes on a mission to get revenge. Along the way, she becomes romantically entangled with Rembrandt (Michael Keaton), another assassin working for Anna and Moody's enemy.
Is It Any Good?
This action film tries to bring something new to a genre that was already irrevocably changed (and challenged by) the John Wick franchise, but it falls short. To be fair, The Protégé isn't trying to be another John Wick. But it does feel like the filmmakers might have had high hopes of starting their own franchise centered on a kick-butt female action star. However, the storyline doesn't have enough staying power to fuel several films.
The film follows the usual cliché of an assassin out for revenge, with the most notable departure from the norm being that an Asian American woman and a Black man are the two lead characters. Having Q and Jackson in the main roles is a welcome change of pace and proof that Hollywood is at least trying to heed the call of being more diverse in its casting. But that alone can't save a film that has a weak story. Characterizations are simplistic and expected, and the reasons why people are out to get Moody are ill-defined. Keaton and Jackson do their best with their roles, and Q is entertaining enough in her action sequences. But if the story were stronger, Q and her castmates would be better served. Overall, The Protégé is a film you can put on if you're bored, but otherwise, it's a middle-of-the-road story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the representations in The Protégé. What does it mean to have Maggie Q and Samuel L. Jackson as the stars of this film? Why is diverse representation in the media important?
What is Anna's morality, and how does it show itself in the film?
How is disability portrayed in the film? Does the portrayal help or cause harm?
How is violence used to progress the plot? Is the violence gratuitous? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 20, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : September 20, 2021
- Cast : Maggie Q , Samuel L. Jackson , Michael Keaton
- Director : Martin Campbell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 140 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong and bloody violence, language, some sexual references and brief nudity
- Last updated : November 10, 2021
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