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Parents' Guide to

Unleashed

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Martial arts and melodrama -- not for children.

Movie R 2005 103 minutes
Unleashed Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

uytt2
uytt2 Adult
February 25, 2010
age 12+
this movie is an good example how to mix martial arts with a good drama. warning the movie is voilent the fighting is rough and graphic. there is a brief sex scene and some nudity. in a fight scene a naked woman screams in terror as jet li in another guy fight. the language is tipical for a rated r movie lots of f bombs. after all is an entertainig kick ass film with good preformances from jet li and bob hoskin

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Great role models
Kakarot
Kakarot Parent of 17-year-old
October 21, 2009
age 15+

a sweet and good movie

this time jet li is really unleashed with intense action and superb performance........

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

UNLEASHED centers on reluctant warrior Danny (Jet Li plays), who is imprisoned and abused at the hands of foul-mouthed, lunatic Glasgow gangster Bart (Bob Hoskins). Bart keeps Danny caged and collared until he needs him to persuade debtors to pay up. After Bart's car is shot up by enemies, Danny breaks free and is taken in by blind piano tuner Sam (Morgan Freeman). Living in Glasgow so his strangely childish 18-year-old stepdaughter Victoria (Kerry Condon) can attend music school, he senses Danny's appreciation of music. Danny begins to remember his piano-playing mother, and memories of her traumatic death when he was a child come flooding back. When Sam is threatened by hoodlums, Danny returns to violence to protect his new friend.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

While ferocious, the fight scenes in Unleashed are also frankly awesome, brilliantly choreographed and inventively shot. The film's narrative combines melodrama, martial arts conventions (underdog wins, intelligence overcomes brawn), and sly twists on formula. Though it's not quite satire, the film does show that its makers know their genre history and expect viewers to keep up.

This is a rare action film in that it raises questions concerning identity, memory, and the effects of abuse. Danny's aggression (visceral and brutal in the film's stop- and slow-motion, time lapse speediness) stems from his abuse, not his character. All he has ever known is to attack on command. Once he starts to play music and listen to it carefully, he learns that he doesn't have to hurt people. The film offers a thoughtful (if occasionally battering) meditation on the transcendence of music, and the strength to be gained from family, however ragtag or unusual in structure. Jet Li is excellent, the visual excess is calculated, and the Massive Attack and RZA soundtrack is sharp. Brutal and bizarre, Unleashed is peculiarly moving.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the formation of the good, supportive family, who helps Danny (Jet Li) to resist the terrible fate he thinks is inevitable. How do you know what your options might be, if your horizons seem so limited? How does music help you to get through difficult periods or inspire you to do good work?

Movie Details

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