"THE WICKER MAN" (2006) (Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Heavy Extreme Moderate Moderate Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild Moderate Heavy None Heavy Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Mild Minor Mild Moderate Heavy QUICK TAKE: Suspense/Thriller: A cop tries to find a missing girl on an isolated island inhabited by secretive members of a pagan-like commune. PLOT: Edward Malus (NICOLAS CAGE) is a California motorcycle cop still haunted by a past event where he was unable to save a young girl and her mother trapped in a burning car. Physically and mentally harmed from the incident, he now self-medicates himself, much to the concern of fellow cops such as Pete (MICHAEL WISEMAN). But he finds a purpose in life when he receives a letter from his ex-fiancée Willow (KATE BEAHAN) who left him long ago to return to her paganish commune on the isolated island known as Summersisle. She states that her daughter, Rowan (ERIKA SHAYE GAIR), has disappeared and asks for Edward's help in finding her. Accordingly, he sets out for the remote isle in the Pacific Northwest, but must bribe a seaplane pilot to take him there. Outsiders are not welcome to the place where the men are not only severely outnumbered by the likes of the women -- including Sister Rose (MOLLY PARKER), Sister Thorn (MOLLY PARKER), Sister Honey (LEELEE SOBIESKI) and Sister Beech (DIANE DELANO) -- but are also completely subservient to them and their leader, Sister Summersisle (ELLEN BURSTYN). After being reunited with Willow, Edward sets out on his investigation to find Rowan, although he gets little cooperation from the women including Dr. Moss (FRANCES CONROY) who also serves as the village's photographer, taking photos of children for annual harvest rituals. With Rowan's photo missing and hearing that the harvest associated with her was one of the worst on record, Edward does everything he can to try to find the girl, especially when he becomes increasingly suspicious that the inhabitants may be preparing her for a pagan-like ritual of death and rebirth involving someone known as the Wicker Man. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Some may be drawn by what looks like a horror film, while anyone who's a fan of someone in the cast might also be interested in it. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For disturbing images and violence, language and thematic issues. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: NICOLAS CAGE plays a troubled cop who travels to the isolated island to try to find his ex-fiancée's missing daughter. He then becomes increasingly troubled by what he finds, and strikes and otherwise threatens the locals with his gun when he feels threatened by them. He takes prescription medication when anxious and uses profanity (some of it briefly strong). ELLEN BURSTYN plays the spiritual heart and leader of the pagan colony who isn't worried about Edward's investigation. KATE BEAHAN plays Edward's ex-fiancée who's asked for his help in finding her missing daughter and acts quite troubled about that and other matters, but we later learn why. FRANCES CONROY plays the local doctor and resident photographer who Edward investigates (it's implied she's aborted and/or killed the male fetuses and born children -- that are seen in jars in her place). MOLLY PARKER plays the local teacher who doesn't offer much help to Edward. ERIKA SHAYE GAIR plays the missing young girl. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this suspense/thriller that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 "f" word, while other expletives and some colorful phrases are also uttered, and some brief and non-explicit, sexually related dialogue is present. A character is burned to death as a sacrifice, another murder is implied, and a man strikes various people (mostly women portrayed as the villains), while several scenes show the same view of a tractor trailer slamming into a parked car (followed by a man trying in vain to rescue those inside). Those scenes, other moments of potential peril and some visuals (including bloody ones) may be unsettling, suspenseful, or maybe even scary to some viewers. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes (including the implication that male fetuses have been aborted and/or male newborns killed - we see them floating jars in a doctor's office). Meanwhile, brief drinking and smoking occur, while the protagonist repeatedly takes some sort of prescription medication when he becomes anxious. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Edward takes some sort of prescription medication when anxious (in several scenes). Edward says he'll have a drink, so Sister Beech pours him something she says is made from honey, herbs and "what not." He guzzles it down. Some miscellaneous people drink in a bar. BLOOD/GORE Some men walk up carrying a large piece of canvas wrapped around something alive that appears to be dripping blood. Edward breaks and enters into Dr. Moss' place to snoop around. Inside, he finds various dead newborns and fetuses in formaldehyde-filled jars. Edward spots an old man sitting upright in a bed (and his face is scarred, with one eye seemingly permanently shut). Edward finds a dead man whose eyes and mouth are bloody. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Edward bribes a pilot to take him to the off-limit island. The women on the island are not friendly toward Edward, eyeing him as an outsider. Various characters lie to Edward about Rowan, including whether they know her or can identify her picture. When Edward opens a school desk, a crow or black bird suddenly flies out. When asked why it was there, a girl says to see how long it could take being trapped in there. Edward breaks and enters into Dr. Moss' place to snoop around. Inside, he finds various dead newborns and fetuses in formaldehyde-filled jars (suggesting that they're males aborted by and/or killed after birth). We learn that the cult sets up victims over a long period of time before bringing them to the island and then sacrificing them by burning them alive. FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence," "Blood/Gore" and "Jump Scenes" may be unsettling, suspenseful, or scary to younger viewers and/or those with low tolerance levels for such material. A tractor-trailer truck suddenly smashes into a parked station wagon, sending it across the road and causing it to catch on fire. Edward then tries to save the young girl and her mother who are trapped inside, but as he's breaking the back glass, a fiery explosion blows him backwards to the street. We later hear that the bodies of those inside were never found. On a large ferry, Edward sees a girl standing along the side and imagines it might be Rowan. Just then a large semi suddenly smashes into her (passing by the window), but this is just in his imagination. Some men walk up carrying a large piece of canvas wrapped around something alive that appears to be dripping blood. Edward is suspicious and wants to look inside, but when he goes to do so, whatever's inside it suddenly moves, causing him to flinch (and the others there to laugh at that). Willow warns Edward that it's dangerous on the island and that the people there will try to mislead him. There's talk of the time of death and rebirth, as well as the return of the Wicker Man (we don't know what that is at first, so it sounds ominous). Edward hears a girl crying, briefly sees her, and then runs after her at night, eventually ending up in a barn where he climbs up to the second level and slowly searches for her. He then ends up falling through the flooring, barely hanging on before pulling himself back up again. We hear childlike whispering on the soundtrack in several scenes, but Edward doesn't seem to hear it. Sister Rose informs Edward that Rowan burned to death (but we later learn that's not true). Willow says that Rowan is alive and that the others blame the girl for the bad harvest (thus making it sound like she's in danger). Edward finds childish and disturbing drawings on the bottom of Rowan's desk, including the words "Help me." While waiting for a seaplane pilot to return, Edward sits on the dock and then hears something beneath it. He then spots a girl's body floating in the water, trapped beneath it, so he dives in to retrieve her, but then wakes up on the dock (all of that having been a nightmare). The dead (but not decomposed) girl is then suddenly in his arms, but is then gone again (meaning he's imagined that as well). Edward swims over to a seaplane to find it empty and the radio smashed. While helping a man put some large logs on a truck, many of them suddenly roll off and Edward pushes the man out of the way just in time. Edward ends up falling into a beehive, thus stirring up the stinging insects. He then runs as they sting him, falling several more times, all while appearing to have an allergic reaction. With permission, Edward exhumes a child's grave at night, eventually finding the small coffin, but he then pulls out a doll that's been burned. Edward follows the sounds of a crying girl, eventually leading to some church ruins where he goes down into a flooded crypt (with very little headroom), only to have someone close and jam the hatch so that he can't get out (Willow finally frees him the next day after he's spent hours shivering and wet). Edward has another flashback to trying to free the girl trapped inside the burning station wagon. Edward spots an old man sitting upright in a bed (and his face is scarred, with one eye seemingly permanently shut). Edward spots a seated woman who has bees partially covering her body, but she doesn't seem to mind. Edward holds his gun on Rose to make her give him her bike. Edward encounters two old, smiling, and blind women with milky eyes who speak in unison (and thus seem creepy). Edward sees several masked beekeepers (no faces can be seen and they look a bit creepy). Edward rescues and then tries to keep Rowan hidden away from the others in the woods as they pass by. A man is hoisted up by his feet into an enormous "wicker man" that's going to be used as a sacrificial bonfire of sorts (some farm animals are also in it). A young girl then tosses a lit torch at the bottom and the structure is quickly engulfed in flames (we hear but don't see the animals panicking), while the man (now at the top) tries to get out, but can't (and burns alive -- seen from a distance, but we hear him screaming). The burning structure then collapses to the ground. GUNS/WEAPONS Handgun: Carried and used by Edward to threaten various people who he believes are potential dangers to him. A person carries a rifle on a TV movie western. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "You have my permission to stay out of the f*cking way," "Perhaps it's time for you to stop bullsh*tting me," "Pissed off," "Where the hell is that?" "What in the hell happened to you?" "Phallic symbol," "What the hell's this?" "Bitches" and "The drone must die." It's possible the film could inspire some disturbed kids to sacrifice a living creature in a bonfire of sorts as a pagan or other ritual. JUMP SCENES A tractor-trailer truck suddenly smashes into a parked station wagon, sending it across the road and causing it to catch on fire. Edward then tries to save the young girl and her mother who are trapped inside, but as he's breaking the back glass, a fiery explosion blows him backwards to the street. On a large ferry, Edward sees a girl standing along the side and imagines it might be Rowan. Just then a large semi suddenly smashes into her (passing by the window), but this is just in his imagination. When Edward opens a school desk, a crow or black bird suddenly flies out. A dead but not decomposed girl is suddenly in Edward's arm, but is then gone again just as fast (meaning he imagined that). MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A heavy amount of suspenseful, ominous, and heavily dramatic music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 "f" word, 2 "s" words, 4 hells, 4 uses of "Oh God," 3 of "G-damn," 2 of "Oh my God" and 1 use each of "My God," "Oh good God" and "Swear to God." SEX/NUDITY Hearing that Willow has a child, Pete sarcastically tells Edward that it sounds like she got close to someone else after she broke off her engagement to Edward. In a schoolroom, Sister Rose asks the all-girl class what man represents and they all repeatedly chant in unison, "Phallic symbol." Edward and Willow briefly but passionately kiss outside while clothed and standing. We see Edward in his boxers and t-shirt as he swims over to a seaplane, and then later in bed the same way. Sister Summersisle says they love their men, but aren't subservient to them. She then says they're good for breeding, adding that they procreate because that's the desire of their Goddess. A young woman shows some cleavage. SMOKING A minor character smokes once. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Edward receives a letter from Willow, his ex-fiancée (who left him years ago), stating that her daughter Rowan has disappeared, and she asks for his help (Spoiler Alert: He later learns that Rowan is in fact his daughter, so he now worries about her as well, but we then learn that the girl is okay and Willow knew this, so the anxiety is faked). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Communes and cults. Paganism. Edward takes some sort of prescription medication when anxious (in several scenes). Sister Rose says that "dead" is not a word they use. Edward breaks and enters into Dr. Moss' place to snoop around. Inside, he finds various dead newborns and fetuses in formaldehyde-filled jars. Sister Summersisle says they love their men, but aren't subservient to them. She then says they're good for breeding, adding that they procreate because that's the desire of their Goddess. Human sacrifices. VIOLENCE A tractor-trailer truck suddenly smashes into a parked station wagon, sending it across the road and causing it to catch on fire. Edward then tries to save the young girl and her mother who are trapped inside, but as he's breaking the back glass, a fiery explosion blows him backwards to the street. We later hear that the bodies of those inside were never found. On a large ferry, Edward sees a girl standing along the side and imagines it might be Rowan. Just then a large semi suddenly smashes into her (passing by the window), but this is just in his imagination. Edward has a flashback image of his imagined view of the semi striking the girl on the side of the ferry. Edward ends up falling into a beehive, thus stirring up the stinging insects. He then runs as they sting him, falling several more times, all while appearing to have an allergic reaction. Edward sees a flashback to the semi smashing into the station wagon that's then on fire as he tries to rescue the girl. Edward holds his gun on Rose to make her give him her bike. Edward finds a dead man whose eyes and mouth are bloody (implying the man was murdered). Edward punches a woman unconscious. A young woman attacks Edward, but he then flips her over a table. When she won't stop, he punches her again and then kicks her hard back into a wall where she looks dazed. Edward pushes one woman to the ground. Edward finds himself surrounded and tries to ward off those approaching him with his gun (that he eventually learns has been emptied). He then punches and kicks a few before the rest grab and control him. We then hear the sound of him being struck twice, presumably breaking at least one leg. A man is hoisted up by his feet into an enormous "wicker man" that's going to be used as a sacrificial bonfire of sorts (some farm animals are also in it). A young girl then tosses a lit torch at the bottom and the structure is quickly engulfed in flames (we hear but don't see the animals panicking), while the man (now at the top) tries to get out, but can't (and burns alive -- seen from a distance, but we hear him screaming). The burning structure then collapses to the ground. Reviewed September 1, 2006 / Posted September 1, 2006

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