ValkyrieMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 56 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 Iffy for 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

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

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The mechanics of the actual plot are pretty amazing. Singer has assembled a top-notch international cast. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Tom Cruise is perfectly satisfactory, if not electrifying, in the leading role. Read full review

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    Singer has crafted a fine film. One just wishes for greater details -- and a different ending. Read full review

  • 70
    Washington Post | Philip Kennicott

    A brutally efficient bit of storytelling, and it makes no unforced errors. It is admirably free of any Spielbergian effort to squeeze sentimentality or inspirational lessons out of what is a complicated and morally complex story. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Has visual splendor galore, but is a cold work lacking in the requisite tension and suspense. Read full review

  • 70
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    A perfectly acceptable motion picture. The only thing that keeps it from even greater accomplishments may be inherent in the story itself. Read full review

  • 63
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Tom Cruise starring in the fact-based story of a plot to kill Hitler by Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg sounds like Oscar bait. It isn't. And the sooner you accept it, the more fun you'll have at this satisfying B movie. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    The history itself is the main appeal here. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    A World War II thriller without enough thrills. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    If Mr. Cruise doesn't work in Valkyrie, it's partly because he's too modern, too American and way too Tom Cruise to make sense in the role, but also because what passes for movie realism keeps changing, sometimes faster than even a star can change his brand. Read full review

View more reviews for Valkyrie on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 14+ Tense, violent WWII thriller offers lots to talk about.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this tense World War II thriller based on a true story includes plenty of unflinchingly realistic, bloody violence (both on and off the battlefield), as well as several on-screen executions. The film includes extensive discussion of -- and assumes a certain familiarity with -- the crimes and history of Nazi Germany and could lead to lots of discussion with teens about topics like ethics, following orders, and more. Expect some swearing, drinking, and smoking.
  • Families can talk about the film's central conflict between political decisions, military procedure, and ethical imperatives. While the men who plotted to kill Hitler were guilty of treason, were they working toward a greater good? Do their ends justify their means? How would the second World War have gone differently if they (or someone else) had succeeded in assassinating Hitler? Families can also discuss the film's use of American and English actors to play German citizens -- a Hollywood tradition, to be sure, but also a curious phenomenon. Does it make the movie less believable? Why or why not?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Extensive discussion of the evils of Nazi Germany, as well as of concepts like treason and ethics. Discussion of the difference between political decisions, military orders, and ethical obligations. Discussion of the Holocaust. The film's protagonist is seen wearing a crucifix and praying.
What to watch for
  • violence false4 Violence: Extensive violence, including war action, bombings, and shootings; near the end of the film, several men are executed on camera by firing squad, hanging, or other means. A bomb is set off in a small meeting room. A man commits suicide with a grenade. A character prepares a suicide capsule as a back-up plan when confronted. Bleeding and bloody wounds. Soem shots of wounded soldiers. Other shots of the lead character's mutilated body and hand with missing fingers. Some shots of a wounded eye in a healed state. Discussion of torture.
  • sex false1 Sex: Some kissing. A statue with nude breasts is seen.
  • language false3 Language: Language includes one use of "f---ng." Other words include "bastard," the ethnic slur "dago," and "whore."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Extensive, historically accurate smoking. Characters also drink hard alcohol and champagne.
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

4.5

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Love him now, Germans... Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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