Bennett’s War parents guide

Bennett’s War Parent Guide

If you love big air and fast tracks, this is the film for you. If you are looking for a plot...not so much.

Overall B+

Marshall Bennett was serving with the Army Motorcycle Unit overseas until his bike was blown up under him by an IED. He returns home with an injured leg only to face financial pressures that put him back on his bike, competing in motocross.

Release date August 30, 2019

Violence C+
Sexual Content B+
Profanity C+
Substance Use A

Why is Bennett’s War rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Bennett’s War PG-13 for some language and brief violence.

Run Time: 95 minutes

Parent Movie Review

This film is only playing in the USA.

Marshall Bennett (Michael Roark) is a former Motocross champion who left the promise of becoming a pro racer to serve his country in Afghanistan. Well-loved by his fellows-in-arms, he feels like he has found his place and purpose as a Sergeant in an elite motorcycle unit of the US military.

Then an encounter with an enemy explosive blows up his dreams and shatters his leg.

Returning to civilian life, the once-capable soldier finds he must face a different kind of war on the home front. The severity of the injury has his concerned wife Sofie (Allison Paige) coddling him almost to the point of suffocation. A local drought is threatening the future of his father’s (Trace Adkins) farm, the home where Marshall, Sofie and their young son have come to live. And the closest he gets to motorcycles is when he works as a mechanic at a friend’s (Ali Afshar) bike shop.

As Marshall works through the agonizingly slow recovery process, other issues become increasingly desperate. Fearing there won’t be brighter days ahead and failing as a provider, Marshall decides to risk it all. Tuning up his old bike and taping up his ankle, Marshall signs up to race at the Glen Helen course hoping to win a purse big enough to tackle the mountain of unpaid bills.

Anyone considering watching this film should realize, first and foremost, it is really about motocross. And if you love big air and fast tracks, you will be rewarded with up-close camera work, extended race sequences and plenty of stunts.

If you are looking for a plot, this one may disappoint. Completely fictitious, it is predictable, right down to the inclusion of nasty competitors (Hunter Clowdus and Brando Eaton), shots of scantily clad women and some salty language the flies like the dirt on the course’s tight corners.

Still, the sentimental story includes a few nice extras, like positive portals of marriage and families, depictions of racial diversity, forgiveness and teamwork. And for good measure, it serves up a slice of American patriotism on the side.

Directed by Alex Ranarivelo. Starring Michael Roark, Trace Adkins, and Ali Afshar. Running time: 95 minutes. Theatrical release August 30, 2019. Updated

Watch the trailer for Bennett’s War

Bennett’s War
Rating & Content Info

Why is Bennett’s War rated PG-13? Bennett’s War is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some language and brief violence.

Violence: Depictions of soldiers in combat settings include gun and explosive use. Characters stalk the enemy, exchange gunfire, throw grenades and use tripwires. Shot wounds, characters thrown into the air after an explosion, and cuts, bruises, broken bones and serious injuries are shown – with some blood and detail Characters’ lives are in peril in war settlings and risky sports activities. Men carry hunting rifles into the woods. A character falls from a stool and lands in some broken glass. Racial prejudice and stereotypes are discussed. Sabotage is depicted and mentioned. Characters engage in bullying and fistfights. Characters engage in motocross racing on steep courses. Some bikers fall off or crash. Aggressive driving and dangerous stunts are depicted.
Sexual Content: Some female character are seen in tight t-shits, short shorts and other scanty clothing. A shirtless man is seen. A character pulls down another’s pants to embarrass him. A husband and wife are seen kissing, embracing and lying in bed together. A woman talks about using her body to get the attention of men.
Profanity: There are over two dozen profanities in this film, including six scatological terms, four terms of deity, a half dozen minor profanities, and assorted crude anatomical terms. A racial slur is also used.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted.

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Bennett’s War Parents' Guide

Marshall is told by the doctors not to take any unnecessary risks. Why does he find their professional opinions so hard to follow? Why does his wife feel differently about his desire to race? What risks would you take if you were Marshall? Would you make the same choices if you were his wife or his parent? How important is it to you to feel you have “tried” - especially in difficult situations?

One of the characters councils another not to let the “what if’s” control their life. What do you think that means? Do you agree with this advice? Are your decisions affected by “what if” scenarios?

Why do you think the script choose to show Marshall as a war veteran? How are your feelings about him influenced by his former occupation and sustained injury? Does it change the way you see him when he participates in motocross racing?

Learn more about the real Glen Helen race course and motocross racing.

 

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Bennett’s War movie is November 12, 2019. Here are some details…

Related home video titles:

The sport of Motor Cross is also depicted in Supercross.

Meagan Leavey tells the story of a Marine struggling with her return to civilian life and her quest to be reunited with her military combat dog. Another Army dog is adopted by a family after his war service is over in Max.

An Army chaplain struggles with issues related to his service in Iraq in Indivisible.