Saving Private Ryan
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 18+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Soldiers in World War II are sent to find one man, Private Ryan, whose three brothers have died. Captain Miller and his men cross France to bring Ryan home. Many of them die, and Ryan is told to live a good life because of it. It is a great film with some of the most graphic combat ever shown. The one age is 18, set by the Catholic News Service classification A-III (adults); the MPAA says R (17), Common Sense Media says 16+.
For parents
One age: 18, set by the Catholic News Service classification A-III (adults); the MPAA says R (17) and Common Sense Media says 16+. Plugged In describes a 24-minute opening with severed limbs and disemboweled men, and says young children should never see it. Common Sense counts a lot of language, with frequent F-words and S-words and God's name used in vain. Soldiers tell dirty stories; no sex or nudity is shown. Soldiers are also shown praying sincerely. Talk about it: What did Miller mean by earning it? Upham begged mercy for a prisoner, then shot him as he surrendered. Was that right? Was it right to risk eight men for one?