WarMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 36 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
16 Iffy for 16+
Read Common Sense Media review

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

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly |

    There are few cinematic crimes more heinous than making a boring action movie. Sadly, that's what the first hour of Triads-versus-Yakuza thriller War is. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Joe Leydon

    Quickly devolves into a standard-issue crime drama laced with routine martial artistry. Read full review

  • 42
    The Onion A.V. Club | Nathan Rabin

    In spite of a late-game adrenaline surge, the hoped-for fireworks between Li and Statham never quite materialize. Read full review

  • 40
    The Hollywood Reporter | Frank Scheck

    Lacking even the galvanizing action sequences that would have compensated for suffering through its formulaic plot, this is a thoroughly forgettable exploitationer that will not enhance its stars' resumes. Read full review

  • 40
    The New York Times |

    Most regrettably, War squanders the considerable merits of its leads. Read full review

  • 40
    Austin Chronicle |

    The action sequences are shot in close-ups and with such rapid editing, it's nearly impossible to find a sense of rhythm let alone follow what's happening. Read full review

  • 30
    Los Angeles Times |

    War ties itself in knots trying to bring something new to a stale formula. It's never painful to watch, but that's only because it provokes no feeling at all. Read full review

  • 25
    Boston Globe | Wesley Morris

    Fun here is fleeting. Read full review

  • 25
    San Francisco Chronicle | Peter Hartlaub

    If you want to see Li and Statham in an underwhelming martial arts film, rent "The One" instead. Li talks considerably more in that movie, but at least he punches a lot of people out. Read full review

  • 20
    L.A. Weekly |

    What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Offering neither the enjoyably preposterous auto-heroics of the Transporter movies nor the lithe, legible athleticism of even second-tier Hong Kong thrillers. Read full review

View more reviews for War on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ What is it good for? Bloody fighting, apparently.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this violent Jet Li action movie -- which is full of body-smashing, martial arts-style fights, plus shooting, punching, knifing, and car crashes -- isn't for kids. Bare-breasted, thong-clad club dancers serve as a visual indication of the villains' corruption (one woman is given as a "present" to Rogue, but no sexual activity is shown). Jack smokes cigarettes, especially at the beginning of the movie, and there's plenty of drinking, though much is in the background. Language is frequent, usually angry, and mostly consists of "f--k."
  • Families can talk about the appeal of violent action movies. Why are filmgoers so entranced by fight scenes? Does the style of fighting affect how much you enjoy watching it? Families can also discuss the concept of revenge, which the movie revolves around. What is gained by revenge? Is violent vengeance ever justified? Parents, talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy -- even teens. Point out that consequences exist -- even if it makes you feel humorless. The fact that violent movies stimulate parts of the brain is worth a reminder.
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Cops, crime gangs, and civilians betray each other repeatedly, then seek vengeance in the most violent forms.
What to watch for
  • violence false5 Violence: Violence is incessant, beginning with cops battling Yakuza members (hand-to-hand fighting and kicking, shooting, stabbing). An early scene shows the brutal murder of Tom's family (frightened wife and child, burning house), which sets up the movie's vengeance theme. Rogue's assaults include throat-cutting, slicing off an ear, shooting, and sticking a sword through a hand. A dog with a bomb on its collar explodes; Jack tortures a suspect by pushing at a bloody wound; a fighting ring shows men slamming against the cage; Kira wields sharp blades; when a man is shot in the head, blood spurts graphically; a father's head appears in a box sent to his daughter.
  • sex false3 Sex: Bar scenes feature topless, thong-wearing dancers; Chang sends Rogue a prostitute: She strips off her dress and reveals giant breasts and a thong. Cops joke about women on the street being prostitutes (one refers to the other's mother as "working tonight").
  • language false5 Language: Lots of typical action-movie profanity, some of it subtitled, including frequent uses of "f--k," and fewer instances of "s--t," "hell," "damn," "son of a bitch," and "ass." Also a couple of slangy references to genitalia ("pr--k," "p---y").
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Mostly expensive cars, including a sleek Spyker C8 Spyder.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Jack smokes several times; his partner notes that it's an "oral fixation" that he should give up. The villain smokes several times as well. Various background characters drink in bars, some "bikers" drink on the sidewalk, and Chang offers Rogue a drink a couple of times, but he refuses.
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.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

2.5

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

"You'll be disappointed in the film but satisfied by the sheer volume of bloodshed." Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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