Extraordinary MeasuresMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Extraordinary Measures."

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 45 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 OK for kids 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly |

    Hardly an extraordinary movie. In fact, it's hard to believe that this schmaltzy film found its home on the big screen rather than the Hallmark Channel. But I dare you not to feel something at its conclusion. Read full review

  • 60
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    The storytelling and the visual style are rarely more than workmanlike, and the big scenes arrive punctually and are played with minimal nuance. Read full review

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    It never rises above formula fare. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    At times, the script gets too dense with technicalities and boardroom arguments for lay folk to comprehend. But at its best, it humanizes the plight of families who cope day-to-day with disabling illness Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    For real sparks keep a look out for Jared Harris in a supporting role that injects a mildly diverting note of corporate intrigue into an otherwise unsurprising procedural. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Harrison Ford has obviously enrolled in the Al Pacino School of Old Man Acting. He yells, sputters and glowers his way through the ultra-ordinary and well-intentioned Extraordinary Measures. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Betsy Sharkey

    The story is poignant and compelling, but ultimately the film doesn't have the heft it needs to fill out the big screen. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety |

    Doesn't reach far beyond its smallscreen genotype as a disease-of-the-week telepic, despite the star power of Brendan Fraser as the desperate dad and Harrison Ford as an eccentric, ornery researcher. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    An ordinary film with ordinary characters in a story too big for it. Life has been reduced to a Lifetime movie. Read full review

  • 20
    Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern

    Extraordinary Measures requires extraordinary tolerance for bathos, bombast and plain old unpleasantness. Read full review

View more reviews for Extraordinary Measures on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Mediocre medical drama is too heavy for young viewers.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that despite its PG rating, this Harrison Ford medical drama features the kind of mature themes and strong language (including "s--t," "bulls--t," and "a--hole") usually associated with PG-13 movies. The movie focuses on a couple dealing with their children's life-threatening genetic disease; consequently, several scenes depict sick kids who are near death (and their inconsolable parents) -- which might be too heavy for tweens and young teens. The film's overall messages, however, are positive, as viewers see parents doing everything they possibly can to find a way to save their dying children.
  • Families can talk about how the kids' illnesses affect the Crowley family. Do the family's reactions and interactions seem realistic? How do movies usually portray characters who are seriously sick?
  • Dr. Stonehill is a genius but not a team player. Do you consider him a positive role model?
  • The movie is based on a true story. How much of it do you think is accurate? Why might filmmakers change some of the facts?
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: The Crowleys and other families dealing with Pompe disease all overcome unbelievable odds to ensure that their children live as long as possible. Their unflappable resolve is inspiring and touching, as is the sweet optimism portrayed by the sick kids.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: John and Aileen selflessly risk their financial stability to bet on Dr. Stonehill's research, fundraise, and do whatever it takes to save their kids and other kids like them. Although Dr. Stonehill isn't necessarily a positive role model (he's cranky, mean, and can't get along with his colleagues), he's also a hardworking genius who's determined to find the enzyme solution to help children with Pompe.
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence: Nothing violent, per se, but there are potentially disturbing images of very sick hospitalized children, as well as discussion of a child who has died from Pompe disease. A guard holds a gun in one scene.
  • sex false2 Sex: John and Aileen kiss passionately a couple of times and in one scene make out on a couch half-dressed after she makes a seductive suggestion about helping him take off his clothes.
  • language false3 Language: Surprisingly strong language for a PG-rated film: "a--hole," "s--t," "bulls--t," and exclamations such as "Jesus!" and "Christ!"
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: Recognizable brands include Ford, Kia, Hewlett Packard, Bose, and several mentions and appearances of SpongeBob SquarePants -- both as a stuffed animal and a TV show.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink socially in a bar and at dinner.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Dave White

1.5

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Jen Yamato

2.5

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Moving topic, mediocre melodrama. Read full review See Dave Jen Yamato's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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