 TEARS OF THE SUN
MPAA Rating:
 for strong war violence, some brutality and languageReviewed by: Tim Emmerich
Starring: Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Fionnula Flanagan, Tom Skerritt | Directed by: Antoine Fuqua | Produced by: Mike Lobell, Arnold Rifkin, Bruce Willis | Written by: Patrick Cirillo, Alex Lasker | Distributor: Revolution Studios
One could take away from this film a lesson on morality regardless of the cost. This film does a good job of demonstrating the principle of consequences for your actions. Depending on your perspective, one could also take away a sense of frustration since the team has apparently disobeyed orders. While depicting acts of war, this movie contains extreme and brutal violent, depicting murdered and butchered people. There is a scene of rape and another with cruelty to a woman. As is typical for war-type movies, there is harsh and foul language. Lots of it. Mix in lots of bullets and some explosions, and you get the idea. The Story In Nigeria, the Muslim forces have overthrown the government. Further, they are killing all the Christians and people who's religion differs from theirs. Actually, a more appropriate word would be slaughtering. Key American personnel are being asked to leave the country. And in some cases they send the Navy Seals in to retrieve the "package". For Tears of the Sun, the main package is Dr. Lena Kendricks, a doctor working along side some missionaries in a small, country hospital. Along with the main package (Dr. Kendricks), they get another important person in tow as they try to make it to the border. Concerns From a Christian perspective, prepare to be offended. The language is poor with many of the soldiers saying a variety of curses and taking the Lord's name in vain. For you to think on pure thoughts, these will intrude. One could try justifying the violence to accurately depict war-time acts. However, there is lots of violence and much directed toward innocent citizens. There is lots of blood and gruesome details in the makeshift hospital. It shows recently amputated limbs. Later, a knifing and a beheading (thankfully the camera cuts away at the last second). Lots of bodies everywhere and a small pool of blood for the many that died at one small village. There was the one rape but worst was the rebels cutting the breasts off of nursing mothers so they can't feed their infant children. These images may be disturbing to you and affect your Christian walk. Conclusions Some observations throughout the movie. Why does Water's Commanding Officer always call from a very active flight deck of a carrier? I find it hard to believe anyone can hear him! Usually, disobeying an order would yield harsh penalties. This film depicts none. The disobedience was done to save the refugees and Dr. Kendricks. Or you could say that Waters followed them in a different manner than was intended? Waters says at one point "God already left Africa." In summary, Tears of the Sun is a movie that demonstrates the atrocities that can be committed during war. Further, a lesson in consequences to your actions is powerful. But, it does it in a manner that may be over the top for some. Use discernment to decide to rent this movie or not. From this reviewer's perspective, the good is outweighed by the anti-Christian atrocities. So, in general, probably pass Tears of the Sun up. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Moderate Year of Release—2003 
Neutral - I very much keep my movie watching in check.
While he has made some very objectionable movies, Bruce Willis is a good
actor. He he is in top form, and he embodies sort of an "everyman."
While he is a soldier, he is not a "super hero." Matter of fact, we can
see the rigors of the mission in his eyes and appearance. Toward the end
of the movie, he looks absolutely haggard. We also see the struggle of
the inner man, who is witnessing atrocity against mankind and is torn
between following orders and his heart. I was pleased that the film
makers didn't give us a mindless "action flick." There is much violence
depicted in the movie, but I felt none of it was gratuitous. And as far
as war movies, the violence wasn't as explicit as that depicted in Saving
Private Ryan, which is sort of the bar for war movies as far as I'm
concerned. There is foul language as one would expect in a film of this
nature, but I didn't feel it was excessive. Overall, I found this to be a piece of good film making, that isn't necessary a "feel
good movie," but will move your heart toward the welfare of persecuted
fellow man and the weak. Positive — I've been a soldier since I turned 17. As such, I love a good
military movie, and detest the ones that get it wrong. "Tears of the Sun"
was excelent. But it was not what I expected.
Sure, it contained lots of exciting military tough guy action, but the
moral message was devastatingly heart rending. The story takes place in
Nigeria, where "Muslim" mobs have been rampaging; murdering, raping and
mutilating Christians in remote villages. I'm talking real life here.
One scene in which the SEAL team rescues a group of villagers from
rampaging rebels had my girlfriend (who was a missionary in Burkina Faso)
weeping for the plight of the people. And I admit I had a hard time
keeping my eyes dry. The movie ends with the well known, much misused, but still powerful
quote, "All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do
nothing." Well put, and brutally, emotionally and effectively dramatized
here. Positive — I saw and loved Tears of the Sun... It was a great action flick depicting the
realness of war and showing true heroism and courage through Willis. He
risked his life to save many others. It was very violent, but it was also
very honest in showing how terrible war is. Personally it helped me, in
that I now detest war, and I wish to help its victims. Positive — Families should not see this movie. But then this movie should
not be watched for entertainment purposes. I would hope that Christians
would be more offended by the woman who was raped and mutilated than by
the cussing. God broke my heart with this movie. My heart was broken for
the people of the world who truly suffer, and also for men who are forced
to choose between following orders and saving people's lives. Both of
these things happen more than we could know. I'll never watch the movie
again, but God used it in my life to cultivate a deeper compassion for the
world. Positive — This is one very impressive piece of cinematography. Visually
it's stunning, but more importantly, it has behind it a realistic,
non-politically correct, thoughtful worldview (how many action/war movies
have a world view at all?). The missionary character in this movie is not
built up enough to provide a real glimpse at her life, but the movie
itself is filled with a 'missionary' spirit.
I just returned from an extended stay as a missionary in a third world
country that is 96% muslim, and the feelings and thoughts evoked by this
movie are similar to those that came while I was there. If you go into
this movie looking for anything more than just an action film, you will be
tremendously impressed both with the quality of the film, and perhaps with
an expanded vision of the world without God and the need.
Don't watch it with children, the violence is intense at times, and would
definetly be too disturbing for even a young teenager. The language is
not terrible, several expletives, but not superfluous. In sum, if you're
looking for just a war movie, get something else. If you're looking for a
war movie with some serious thought behind it (ala Black Hawk Down), give
Tears a try. Positive — This is a fantastic movie! Though not as great as films like
Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, it gives a somber lesson on the
horrors of war and how people should respond. Yes the film is graphic and
brutal, and it should be. Improperly billed as an action film, it
actually is more of a war drama, and it has something important to say. Movie Critics
Negative — "…resorting to gruesome depictions of death and mutilation ...even without the special effects, this wouldn't have been a film for families. The subject matter is far too intense and could be damaging to children. Those adults who decide to face the onslaught of violence and vulgar language shouldn't be going to enjoy another war movie. And when they exit the theater, they should be heartbroken, mourning the loss of millions upon millions of innocents around the world. Positive — "…Bravo! ...shows the courageous human spirit in its best form--a hero going beyond what's required of him and risking his life so that others may live. ...I appreciated the line, 'God will never forget you.' |
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