National Security
MPAA Rating: PG-13
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Entertainment: +2
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Content: -2
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As in a Shakespearean comedy, the situations in National Security are outrageous, but they come together in sweet harmony by the final scene. Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence) has dreamed about becoming a police officer his whole life, yet sadly he is kicked out of the police academy. He loves law enforcement so much that he names his gun Little Earl. Through random events, Earl has a run-in with LAPD officer Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), who recently lost his partner in a shoot-out. He is generally in a foul mood. Hank attempts to arrest Earl, but the incident is caught on videotape with disastrous results; Hank is kicked out of the force. Six months later, Hank and Earl are reunited, both of them employed as security guards. Understandably, they mistrust each other. But when they come close to solving an international smuggling operation, a friendship develops.
This action comedy attempts to deliver the message that overcoming preconceived ideas about people of other races can lead to success and happiness, but it generally comes off as racist. Earl believes that all of his problems are due to his being black and belligerently turns every situation into a race issue. The majority of his jokes are based on race, as in his claim that he is constantly being pulled over for DWB driving while black. The friendship between Earl and Hank does bring out the theme that people should not be judged on the surface, and the police profession is portrayed positively. Many scenes contain sexual comments and gestures toward women. There are numerous sequences with fighting, cursing and gun violence. The stunts are farfetched and unrealistic with characters surviving scenarios that should get them killed. Preview gives National Security a negative rating due to an abundance of racist humor, rough language and some sensuality.
Preview Reviewer: Blaine Butcher
Distributor: Columbia/Tristar
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Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.
Crude Language: Many (23)
Obscene Language: Many (12) F-word 2, S-word 10
Profanity: Once G
Violence: Moderate Numerous gun fights, men hitting each other in the face, woman hitting man, man falling over a cliff, people shot to death in gun battles, car crashes, explosions, man destroying vehicle with stick
Sex: None
Nudity: None
Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Many Man talking about sex to a woman, woman stripping in front of man, man making comments about womans body, man making sexual gestures, man and woman talk about mans private parts
Drugs: None
Other: Much racism, grown man acting immature, some police viewed as corrupt, woman makes men be polite
Running Time: 90 minutes
Intended Audience: Teens and adults
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