Today’s Prayer Focus

National Security

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA)

for violence, language and some sensuality

Movie Critics

…manages to set race relations back a few decades by insulting both blacks and whites in the process of telling its formulaic story…

Michael Elliott, Movie Parables

…sexually related dialogue is present, as is some sexual material and flirting that ends with a woman handcuffed to a bar in [her undergarments]…

ScreenIt!

Moral Rating:

not reviewed

Moviemaking Quality:

Primary Audience:

Teens Adults

Genre:

Comedy / Action

Length:

1 hr. 31 min.

Year of Release:

2003

Starring: Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, Bill Duke, Colm Feore, Eric Roberts | Directed by: Dennis Dugan | Produced by: Bobby Newmyer, Jeff Silver, Robert Newmyer, Jeffrey Silver, Michael Green | Written by: Jay Scherick, David Ronn | Distributor: Columbia Tristar

Negative

Negative—My wife and I got up and left during the first ten minutes due to the blatant use of the “F” word.
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 1]

Phillip Southern, age 65

Comments from young people

Neutral—I thought that this was a funny movie. If you like Martin Lawrence then this movie will be up your alley. I do like him, and think he is very funny, but his white jokes got old after a while. I’m not racist, truly, but it was like okay move on now. Joke about something else. That was what really stuck out about this movie. He jokes about how the black man has it so hard, and how he always being accused of something he didn’t do. The bee scene was funny, but it went too far. He’s almost implying that white people have been given everything, and black people just get suspected of every crime committed. I really did enjoy this movie, and it was non-stop laughs from beginning to end. But if you don’t take kindly to white jokes then I would steer clear of this film.
My Ratings: [Average / 3]

Sara, age 17

Neutral—National Security was your average comedy. This movie had some very funny parts, but nothing hilarious. There was not too much that was offensive. There was some swearing throughout the movie; one use of the “f” word and some other mild swears. The violence was mainly all played for laughs. But, if you don’t like racial comments do not see this movie. I would only recommend this movie if you like a typical comedy.
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 3½]

Jordan, age 15

Neutral—I loved the action! However, the movie would rock if there was not so much cussing and if they never showed any body parts.
My Ratings: [Average / 2½]

JesusFreak, age 15

Positive—My father and I like Martin Lawrence, so we decided to see this movie. There was only one scene that I can remember that was questionable as far as sexual content is concerned. Anyway my dad and I were expecting a comedy since it had Martin Lawrence in it, but instead I can’t remember that many funny parts. It was all action. True, there was a bit of language, but not enough to deserve an R-rating (my opinion). This was all-together a good movie and I recommend it to people 14+
My Ratings: [Average / 4]

Raymond Langridge, age 14