Takers parents guide

Takers Parent Guide

These criminals not only glamorize robbery, murder and the destruction of public property but they do it with a sense of entitlement -- as if all that cash was due them.

Overall D

The Takers are a sleek group of bank robbers played by Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Tip "T.I" Harris, and Hayden Christensen. As they make plans for their biggest heist yet, a determined police detective (Matt Dillon) also prepares to take them down.

Release date August 27, 2010

Violence D
Sexual Content B-
Profanity C-
Substance Use C-

Why is Takers rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Takers PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, a sexual situation/partial nudity and some language.

Run Time: 107 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

The cops and robbers genre has been around for a long time—though in the early days it often involved a sheriff and gun-slinging outlaws. But movie figures who are sworn to protect and to serve are having a hard time of late. No longer are they the heroes wearing the white hats and restoring justice. It is the felons who get away with the money, the murders and most often the girl.

Following the formula for films like Oceans Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, and The Italian Job, Takers features a cast of men who feel no remorse over lining their pockets with currency from other people’s savings accounts. (They do, however, donate ten percent of their haul to charity—presumably as a way to give back to the community after ripping off individuals who earn their livelihood in a more socially acceptable manner.) Living in luxurious homes, they use the piles of bills they have stashed away to imbibe in the best liquor and cigars, drive expensive cars and outfit themselves in top-of-the-line suits. To put it simply, there is nothing shabby about the everyday life of these thieves.

But greed can get to even the most charitable of crooks. The day after they make off with bags of loot from a California bank, Gordon (Idris Elba), John (Paul Walker), A.J. (Hayden Christensen) and brothers Jesse (Chris Brown) and Jake (Michael Ealy) are unexpectedly visited by an old team member who had his sentence shortened for good behavior. While Ghost (Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris) may have been the model inmate, he is far from reformed. With next week’s armored car route in his hands, he proposes a new heist with a $20 million payoff.

Compared to these high living criminals, LAPD officers Jake Wells (Matt Dillon) and his partner Eddie Hatcher (Jay Hernandez) are a sorry sight. Eddie lives in the suburbs with his wife (Zulay Henao) and their young son (Harrison Miller) who is facing serious medical issues. Jake is a rumpled, short-tempered workaholic devoted to justice. He gets a bad rap when he follows up on a lead in the robbery on the day he is supposed to be spending quality time with his daughter (Isa Briones).

Yet in reality the police do little more in this storyline than keep George and his gang from publically flaunting the source of their funds. The real conflict comes when a group of badder rogues attempt to steal the hot money from the bank robbers. The result is endless exchanges of gunfire. (For apparent artistic purposes, the director accompanies one lengthy hotel room shootout scene with strains of violin music and millions of feathers from perforated pillows drifting gently through the air.) The only thing that outnumbers the barrage of bullets is the constant use of scatological slang and profanities that are teamed up with frequent portrayals of smoking and alcohol use. A brief, shadowed depiction of male buttock nudity is also shown when a man enters a pool where two women wait for him.

Although there is some collateral damage along the way, these criminals not only glamorize robbery, murder and the destruction of public property but they do it with a sense of entitlement—as if all that cash was due them. But then what can you expect from a group of guys who admittedly revere Genghis Khan as their historic hero.

Directed by John Luessenhop . Starring Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Tip "T.I." Harris, Hayden Christensen.. Running time: 107 minutes. Theatrical release August 27, 2010. Updated

Takers
Rating & Content Info

Why is Takers rated PG-13? Takers is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of violence and action, a sexual situation/partial nudity and some language.

Violence: Frequent portrayals of gunfire, brutal fistfights and beatings are seen throughout this film. Injuries and fatalities are depicted with blood effects. Vehicles and property are blown up. Characters often threaten others with guns

Sexual Content: A shadowed depiction of male buttock nudity. Kissing and embracing are seen.

Language: Dozens of scatological slang terms are included in the script along with numerous profanities, vulgar expressions and a couple of nonsexual expletives.

Drugs and Alcohol: The smoking of cigarettes and cigars are portrayed on several occasions in a glamorous manner. Alcohol use is frequently depicted. One character drinks to steady his nerves before a gunfight. Several references are made to illegal drugs. An addict who is high on drugs is shown.

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Takers Parents' Guide

How do films like this one glamorize crime? What consequences do these criminals suffer? Does the fear of consequences outweigh any of the allurement? How does a sense of entitlement influence these characters?

Why are money heists often portrayed as “victimless” felonies? What impact would this spree have on the bank’s customers?

How do the filmmakers build empathy for the thieves? For what character do they not build sympathy? Why do you think they fail to do this?

One police detective tells another, who has sacrificed time with his daughter in order to solve an important case, to "take care of the real stuff", referring to his family. Should the character who receives this advice be condemned considering the situation? How do parents balance work and home time? Does one ever suffer at the expense of the other? Is it necessary at times to focus on one over the other?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Takers movie is January 18, 2011. Here are some details…

Takers releases to Blu-ray and DVD on January 18, 2011, with the following extras.

- Commentary with Director John Luessenhop, Producer Will Packer, Producer Jason Geter and Tip “T.I.” Harris.

- Music Promo Yeah Ya Know, by T.I.

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Materials:

- Executing the Heist: The Making of Takers

- Take Action! Featurette - Inside Look at the Stunts

- movieIQ®+sync and BD-Live

Related home video titles:

Jay Hernandez plays public servants in the 2006 film World Trade Center and Ladder 49. Actor Hayden Christensen can also be seen in the Star Wars franchise’s Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, and Paul Walker stars in Eight Below.

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