Review

District 13: Ultimatum

Common Sense Media says

Over-the-top French action entertains despite big violence.
Age
15
Quality
 
  • Positive messages0
    Although you can find some positive messages if you look for them -- such as the heroes' attempt to act for the good of others and the emphasis on enemies learning to set aside their differences and join
    forces for a greater good -- the constant violence and drug content tend to complicate the message. Also, the movie has a strong political slant: The main villain works for a company called "Harriburton" and plans to blow up the slums so that he can build new buildings and profit handsomely. But the president firmly believes in the French motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" and tries to base his decisions around the needs of the poor.
  • Positive role models0
    With their unorthodox and sometimes violent methods, the heroes, along with the cast of criminals-turned-crimefighters, are complicated role models. Despite their opposing approaches, working class hero Leito and cop Damien set aside their differences to work together. They struggle hard to restore justice and fairness to the world. Likewise, they're both exceptional martial artists with determination and a clear dedication to training.
  • Violence4
    Plenty of action, fighting, and chasing, all presented in a broad, comic book-like way, with more emphasis on humor and outlandishness than on anger. Tons of guns, gunfire, and gunshot victims. One main character uses martial arts to dispatch many bad guys in violent ways. We also get stun guns and pistol-whipping, plus missiles and bombs. Brief images of dog fighting and cage fighting. One character wears a razor sharp knife blade at the end of her long ponytail.
  • Sex3
    Viewers see a couple kissing, and it's suggested that they make love, though nothing is shown on screen. A man appears shirtless, and we see a woman asleep, lying on top of him. We also see sexy female dancers in a nightclub and a brief image of two girls kissing. A man disguises himself as a serving girl -- in a skimpy outfit -- to capture some bad guys. (The close-ups of his partly naked buttocks appear to belong to a female body double.)
  • Language3
    The movie is in French. "Merde" is spoken several times, but the subtitles translate it both as "s--t" and "damn." We also hear "hell."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    Secondary characters are drug dealers. Drugs and drug paraphernalia are on display throughout the movie, including bags of pot and heroin and/or cocaine. Viewers see needles and drugs being smuggled inside watermelons. Some supporting characters are said to be on drugs. The bad guys plant bags of drugs in Damien's apartment and arrest him to keep him out of the way.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that District 13: Ultimatum is a violent comic book-style movie intended to inspire laughter and applause rather than anger and tension. But it's still filled with guns, drugs, and other violent images, mainly as an attempt to depict the crime-ridden, walled-off slum neighborhoods of a futuristic Paris. A sequel to the French film District B13 (2004), the movie is presented in French with English subtitles -- including translations of some swearing. Despite all the violent imagery, the two heroes generally act selflessly and for the good of others, and their martial arts skills are very impressive. Mature teens can probably handle it.

This review of District 13: Ultimatum was written by

Most useful reviews by all members

Kid, 11 years old
September 20, 2010
13
Pause for kids & under
 
action filled french film with little plot
parents need to know that this has plenty of comic martial arts violence. The language is often mild and drugs are often shown but never glorified. The only problem I find, except the stylized action violence, is the brief sexclub scene, where when the striper reveals that he is a male cop to the owner, he asks if he is a transestite several times. As good as this movie is, I found it hard to hold on to the plot. It's not that there was too much going on, it's that there was so little going on. The whole time you know what the plot is, you just can't feel it, plus you don't understand where it goes from there. therefore, all I saw was over the top action violence and a sense of humor that wasn't even that funny. If you're looking for stylized action violence and stunts with little plot, this is your movie, not mine. all i'm saying is that I hope this film's predecessor was much better. p.s. they barely give you enough time to catch up to the story!
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Adult
October 11, 2010
15
Pause for kids & under
 
Entertaining sequel is still adrenaline-feuled fun!
With plenty of action, suspense, and humor, this is a fun action film for all! I love that the two leads are the same as the first (that doesn't always happen). Parents: There is plenty of action violence, though not a lot of blood, some nudity and language. Bottom Line: A good movie, but most likely save it as back-up. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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Parent of 17 year old
March 31, 2010
14
OK for kids & up
 
Love itt !!!!! looks like big hitt of 2010
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Helped me decide (12) | Had useful details (11) | Read my mind (18)
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