This Means War

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
This Means War Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Lackluster action romcom has violence, sexual references.

PG-13 2012 98 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 33 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that This Means War is a romantic comedy-meets-spy thriller with lots of sexual innuendo, passionate kissing, and action violence (including shooting and some deaths, though nothing particularly graphic). The language includes one use of "f--k," as well as "s--t," "bitch," "ass," "d--k," and the like. There's one love scene and several references to sex (including doing it with two guys as a "tiebreaker") and many make-out scenes. Although the movie's premise is comical, it can also send the iffy message that lying about who you are can win someone's heart. Note: The movie was initially rated R but was re-rated PG-13 upon appeal.

Community Reviews

Hanna_Yaseen
Hanna_Yaseen Adult
September 1, 2019
age 18+

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Silvia C.
Silvia C. Adult
December 27, 2018
age 15+

Not properly rated

This movie was rated 7 in Spain, and my husband started watching it with my 9-year-old daughter a few days ago. They did not finished it and my 12 year old and myself joined them for the final part, I could not believe the rating, when she decides she has to have sex with both of them, and the kissing and undressing scene is waaay too long. I fast forwarded some scenes, my 9 year old complaining, and she decided that sleeping with someone meant throwing a pijama party and the other guy was upset because he was not invited... definitively I have to instruct my husband to check your page always and do not believe the rating on the screen. On the other side, the movie was not bad, but for +15 at least

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CIA partners FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are best friends who have each other's back at all times ... until they both fall for the same woman, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon). When they realize that they're both seeing her, the pals agree to compete for her affection and then enlist their coworkers to start spying on her to get the inside track to win her heart. Meanwhile, the spies have to contend with Heinrich (Til Schweiger), a vengeful international arms dealer whose brother died because of FDR and Tuck. But they're too busy wooing Lauren to realize that the German baddie has figured out exactly how to enact his revenge.

Is It Any Good?

THIS MEANS WAR's premise is admittedly cute, and it stars a trio of appealing, talented actors, but it doesn't have much else going for it. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver on anything but a few easy laughs and a constant reminder that Witherspoon is one of Hollywood's irresistible sweethearts. Its downfall is that the central love triangle features the stereotypical foils of a fun-loving and sweet (read: boring) single dad (Hardy) versus a womanizing cad with a secret heart of gold (read: edgy), played by Pine.

These guys act like fraternity brothers who've bet on who can bed a girl first, all under the guise of discovering true love. But true love isn't based on subterfuge and spies. And regardless of whom Lauren chooses, neither man is truly worthy of her, because they both lie to her and endanger their friendship in the process. Sure, there's a supposedly happy ending, but it feels like the decks are fundamentally stacked against the nice guy, since he doesn't undergo a big personality change during the courtship. While all three leads have all been great in other films, this one is a forgettable disappointment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why so many movies, books, and more revolve around the premise of a love triangle. What's the appeal of that kind of story? Do you think it's a realistic situation?

  • What messages does This Means War send about relationships? Do you think Lauren treats one or both of the men unfairly? Are the men wrong to spy on Lauren to get ahead in the competition for her love? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding love and relationships.

  • Tuck's ex-wife becomes interested in him again when she finds out he's really a CIA agent. Are women only interested in men with "cool" or well-paying jobs? Would you want to be in a relationship with someone whose interest in you was based on your job?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: February 14, 2012
  • On DVD or streaming: May 22, 2012
  • Cast: Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy
  • Director: McG
  • Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Topics: Friendship
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: sexual content including references, some violence and action, and for language (on appeal; previously rated R)
  • Last updated: January 27, 2023

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