Rated R for strong violence throughout and some language.
Starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and Robert Patrick
Directed by Daniel Espinosa (first film)
If you are looking for a smart action movie with major star power…Safe House is a safe bet.
Matt Weston (‘Ryan Reynolds’) is a CIA rookie who is manning a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa, when Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) the CIA’s most wanted rogue agent is captured and taken to the safe house. During Frost’s interrogation, the safe house is overtaken by mercenaries who want Frost. Weston and Frost escape and must stay out of the gunmen’s sight until they can get to another safe house.
When I saw the trailer with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds I thought to myself, “I don’t even care what this movie is about, I can’t wait to see it!” Let me put your mind at ease, I was definitely not disappointed.
Director Daniel Espinosa has a real gift for that gritty realism and bone-rattling action sequences, especially since this is his first feature film. He brings nonstop momentum to car chases and fight scenes, flinging us all over with frantic handheld camera work. My only grievance here was his choice to use that grainy look…I know I am spoiled with my HD TV’s and Blu-rays.
Washington’s performance is a highlight reel that combines the straight up heroism of Unstoppable, the intensity of Man on Fire and the take-no-prisoners attitude of Training Day. And (call me crazy) Ryan Reynolds is just as good. He holds his customary wise-guy arrogance in check, and shows some real acting chops – making us cheer for him from beginning to end. I mean seriously, it’s impossible not to feel sympathetic pain for him when he’s getting the beating of a lifetime or trying to “figure it all out.” But while his technique is hyper-stylish, Espinosa hasn’t mastered the trick of pulling us inside the action, connecting us to fully fleshed-out characters.
I loved that Safe House hooked me with crazy action sequences and kept me interested with quality characters and an engaging story…It’s “Theater Worthy.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is a brief sex scene where Ryan Remolds and Nora Arnezeder shower together. You see her bare back for a split second.
The violence is pretty intense. There are a lot of fights, stabbings, shooting etc. These scenes may not be as graphic as the Saw films, but they are fairly realistic and difficult to watch at times. There is also an uncomfortable scene where Tobin gets water boarded.
As far as profanity, it is very mild for an R-rated action film. There is one F-word, two S-words and a few other milder profanities.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: Ryan Reynolds plays Matt Weston, a junior CIA spook assigned to keep the agency’s refuge in Cape Town, South Africa, ready for action. It’s a dead-end job, but his mentor advises him to sit tight: Every desirable posting has a mile-long line of more experienced applicants. But his dull routine is shattered when a team of heavily armed agents arrive at the safe-house door with the CIA most wanted fugitive.
Q: What can we learn from the characters in this movie?
A: One of the biggest lessons we can learn is to be faithful with the tasks we have been given.
Besides “tasks” what are some other areas of your life this would apply to? (Perhaps your child/student will mention possessions or relationships, etc.)
In Luke 16:10 Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” What do you think that means?
Q: How can we move from learning from the characters to actually living out those lessons?
A: One of the things we can do to help us stay focused on the tasks or possessions or relationships we have, is to stop thinking the “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
What “greener grass” do you usually see?
Read 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
What are some ways you can be content and faithful with your current tasks (or possession or relationship)?
