Not Approved

Death Sentence

Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion no length is too great when protecting his family.
18
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

Kevin Bacon gives a good performance in “Death Sentence” as a man who decides to administer his own brand of vigilante justice after his son is murdered. When he hears that his son’s killer will likely spend only 3 to 5 years in prison, he seeks violent revenge and sinks to the level of the gang members who killed his son.

The first problem I have with this movie is a well-off suburban father and son stopping for gas in the inner city and ending up victims of gang violence. Gang violence in the inner city is a very serious problem, but its true victims are inner-city residents, not suburbanites. Secondly, if a film wants to show the terrible consequences of using violence to deal with conflicts, it should not glorify violence in the process, which is exactly what “Death Sentence” does. For instance, after Kevin Bacon’s violent retaliation brings tragic results, there is a scene in which he prepares for a final showdown by shaving his head, donning a leather jacket, and loading his arsenal of guns while techno music thumps in the background.

A better movie might have been made if the bereaved father started a program to keep inner-city kids out of gangs. Unfortunately, someone thought that viewers would rather see another movie about a bunch of guys killing each other. So, a movie that intends to show the tragedy of violence ends up glorifying violence; “Death Sentence” cannot be awarded the Dove Seal.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Numerous people shot with shotguns; teen’s throat slashed with machete; man hit by car; several people beaten; man beaten with metal pipe; man stabbed; man shot at; man’s face slammed into pavement; man’s head slammed in door; man’s leg blown off with shotgun; man killed in car crash; man with blood spurting from gash in throat.

2
Sex

Husband and wife kiss; man buys a prostitute for his friend.

5
Language

F-79; S-8; B-3; D-1; H-4; OG/OMG-5; GD-1; J-3; JC-1; A-9; Slang for male genitalia-1; Pissed-1

5
Violence

Numerous people shot with shotguns; teen’s throat slashed with machete; man hit by car; several people beaten; man beaten with metal pipe; man stabbed; man shot at; man’s face slammed into pavement; man’s head slammed in door; man’s leg blown off with shotgun; man killed in car crash; man with blood spurting from gash in throat.

3
Drugs

Drug lab shown twice; occasional cigarette smoking; men drink in bar; gang members drink to their dead friend; a few drug references.

0
Nudity

None

3
Other

Man shoots his own father; father tells man he doesn’t care if he kills his son.

More Information