  
Law Abiding CitizenMPAA Rating:
 for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language.Reviewed by: Raphael Vera Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens, Adults
Genre:
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Length:
2 hr. 2 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
October 16, 2009 (wide—2,700+ theaters)
  
Relevant Issues
About murder in the Bible REVENGE—Love replaces hatred—former israeli soldier and an ex-PLO fighter prove peace is possible-but only with Jesus Anger in the Bible Lawyers in the Bible Death in the Bible ETERNAL LIFE—What does the Bible say about it? Answer Eternal death in the Bible FEAR, Anxiety and Worry… What does the Bible say? Answer VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer
“Justice at any cost.” Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is enjoying family time with his wife and daughter when their home is abruptly invaded, and all are bound, gagged, stabbed and then left for dead. Clyde is the only survivor. The young hotshot prosecutor, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), enters a plea agreement that sentences one of the two killers to death row and the other to just a few years. Nicks boss Jonas, the District Attorney (Bruce McGill), had warned him that he first needed to explain the ‘deal’ to the grieving father. Clyde’s disapproval of our flawed justice system sets the stage for what will follow. Ten years later, both criminals are brought to a gruesome and painful end, not by the Philadelphia criminal justice system but by Clyde. Clyde is soon arrested, but his lack of surprise and acceptance makes one suspect that even his arrest is just part of a bigger plan. Amazingly, from behind bars Clyde is able to continue systematically eliminating both those who were a part of the original miscarriage of justice, as well anyone who now stands in his way, all the while still taking the time to point out to us how our system fails to dispense ‘real’ justice every day. Objectionable ContentThe violence is intense and ranges from implied to graphic, including a horrific stabbing scene in jail. The rape is not strictly shown, and though the camera does cut away, there is little doubt as to what is taking place, in order to make it a gut wrenching experience. Another scene concerns the sawing of a living person's body parts, that again takes place off camera and is later shockingly repeated, via DVD, in front of a child. There are two scenes of nudity, the first focused on the semi-nude form of a prostitute in the killer’s apartment, and the second is Clyde’s backside as he strips completely before his capture. The language is very foul, with over 30 uses of the ‘F’ word staple, along with variations of the slurs/curses ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘S’ most common in ‘R’ rated movies. The Lord's name is taken in vain on several occasions and is never said in either praise or thanks. You would think that Clyde had purposely assumed the role of God, and you would be right. From his vantage point, there is no one to correct these wrongs, and, in referencing to what he has planned, he says “It’s gonna be biblical.” The film is steeped in existentialism as God does not appear to play a role in anyone’s life. At one point, the Mayor of Philadelphia and Nick are arguing over the situation when she stops and asks for a Bible. Were they actually going to turn to the Word of God for guidance? No, she needed it for a ‘swearing-in’ of office. There, in a nutshell, was both the problem and the answer. It was right in front of them, and they didn’t realize it. While our laws are undeniably based on Judeo-Christian values and precepts, we have, in the practice of law, devolved our system to the point where almost anything can be justified, or defended, and, in the process, many treat God’s book as just another prop. LessonsThe prosecutor, Nick, is all about advancing his career, and a near perfect conviction rate is key to this. He cannot comprehend the truth which Jesus spoke of when he said “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). In a particularly telling scene, Jonas, contemplating the system and their hand in bargaining with killers, asks if ‘we brought this on ourselves.’ Nick quickly responds, “Absolutely not.” Nick’s pride prevents him from accepting the truth, and as the apostle Peter writes, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). The criminals that started this drama are utterly reprehensible and portray the violent extreme of so many in this fallen world who “…live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19). Vengeance is the constant throughout the movie, and the consequences are a lesson that, sadly, is not learned by film's end by even the prosecutor. We, as Christians, should know better than these characters, for God’s word instructs us, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). The movie’s pacing was well done. The acting was only fair, due no doubt to the one dimensional script, as we have seen better from both Foxx and Butler. A higher than normal amount of “suspension of belief” is required from the audience in order to accept both Clyde’s incredible talents in mayhem and destruction and how far he goes to extract his “justice at any cost.” It should also be noted that, remarkably, there are no good guys in this movie. Yes, the film is at times very exciting and suspenseful, and the audience can’t help but sympathize with Clyde’s motives. However, “Law Abiding Citizen” is only a so-so effort, and, with the offensive material and no redemptive payoff (especially by the prosecutor), it is hardly a positive or edifying movie. While primarily geared for less discerning teens/young adults, if you are part of the mature and older crowd that enjoys this type of film, you will probably cheer alongside them, but you may just feel guilty about it later. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Moderate See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Positive
none Neutral
Neutral - I went in to this movie with high expectations. Gerard Butler is among my favorite actors, and the overall plot intrigued me. That being said, I was blown away by all of the brutal violence depicted. Granted, I knew I should have expected some violence, given its rating, but the manner in which Clyde -the main character-goes after his family's killers is gruesome, to say the least. I felt torn, knowing that the murderers deserved to suffer for their crimes, and also feeling revulsion at the ways in which Clyde exacted his revenge. He did not even stop with the men who murdered his wife and little girl, he also went after everyone involved in the trial. Strangely, I wanted Clyde to live, and be redeemed, right up until he murdered an innocent young woman who had worked for the assistant DA in the trial. At that moment, I saw the character for what he truly was: an evil murderer, no better than the men who murdered his family. “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil;’ Wait for the LORD, and He will save you” - Proverbs 20:22, NKJV. Neutral - I saw the previews and thought that this movie would be entertaining, and it was. Yes, it was violent, yes there were some extreme parts, but I expected some of these things from the preview. The problem I had with the movie didn't come from the movie itself but from the Canadian Film rating of it. They had it rated as 14A. Because it had this rating I figured it would be okay bringing my 14 year old son to see it with me, after all, at 14 he could get into see it by himself. I was wrong… very wrong. Neutral - First, Law Abiding Citizen is not for kids. There are a number of gruesome images and instances of brutal offscreen violence. The f-bomb is hurled from every nook and cranny in most every prison interior shot. There's an implied rape scene; also, Gerry is - in the literal sense - butt-naked for a few seconds. Adults, be responsible. Leave jr. @ home. Negative
Negative - I went to see this movie yesterday not really knowing what it was about and regret it wholeheartedly. The whole movie was pretty much about violence and hate. I walked out of there feeling bad for even sitting through the whole thing. There is brief nudity (both male and female) sceens of violent murder and crazy amounts of unneccesary profanity. As a follower of Christ I don't know why anyone would willingly subject themselves to this kind of movie. I wish I hadn't seen it. Movie Critics
…packs enough potent shocks to lure sizable thrill-seeking crowds to multiplexes… Wasting no time, the pic plunges the viewer immediately into a horrific yet unprotracted domestic bloodbath.… …a taut thriller… The explanation of Clyde's methods is preposterous, but it comes late enough that F. Gary Gray, the director, is first able to generate considerable suspense and a sense of dread.…[3/4] …it's all a lot of empty talk with the filmmakers figuring if they bandy about the word “justice” enough, it will give the illusion of conscience to a movie that is merely a revenge-genre retread. …ultimately laying bare the complete absence of substance to the movie's conflicted message.… The film's greatest sin… its complete failure to engage audiences on even a visceral level. …becoming more ludicrous until the movie's nutty, logic-be-damned finale.… …A glib, brutal and preposterous revenge fantasy… It's a “Who dies next?” slasher film masquerading as a revenge thriller.… [2/5] …“Law Abiding Citizen” takes it a little too far… most of what we see on the screen is implausible, superficial and only marginally involving.… …Obviousness sinks dim-witted, sadistic “Law Abiding Citizen”… F. Gary Gray (“The Italian Job”) dully directs Kurt Wimmer's over-the-top script with a misty, bleached-out aesthetic that only makes the movie feel like more of a drag. The mind wanders; distracting questions arise.… …LAW ABIDING CITIZEN has a strong moral worldview that asks important questions about justice, but its graphic violence and strong foul language warrant extreme caution.… |
E-mail this page to a friend
