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The Guardian

Play trailer Poster for The Guardian PG-13 Released Sep 29, 2006 2h 19m Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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37% Tomatometer 149 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
A Coast Guard rescue swimmer (Kevin Costner), who still mourns losing his crew in a fatal accident, copes by dedicating his life to training new recruits, so when he meets swimming champion Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), he molds the cocky young man into his protege and takes him on a mission in the dangerous waters of the Bering Strait.

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The Guardian

The Guardian

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Critics Consensus

The Coast Guard gets its chance for a heroic movie tribute, but The Guardian does it no justice, borrowing cliche after cliche from other (and better) military branch movies.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico UGO Screenwriter's Voice Will definitely rescue some moviegoers from the post-summer doldrums, but someone should have told Davis that there's going to be casualities if he leaves audiences in the water that long. Mar 24, 2007 Full Review Robert Hanks Independent (UK) Rated: 2/5 Oct 14, 2006 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 2/5 Oct 13, 2006 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com A simple, predictable, and formulaic action flick. Rated: 2.0/4.0 Sep 9, 2020 Full Review VyceVictus Lewton Bus The Guardian is ultimately a by the numbers movie that failed to hit big at the box office, seemingly lost to time. Various elements seem dated or unintentionally hilarious. Feb 6, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens When I left the theater, it was with not only newfound knowledge and respect for the men and women of our Coast Guard, but with a wave of excitement from the sheer excellence and entertainment of the film. Nov 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marco L (CASTELLANO) The Guardian no reinventa la rueda, pero engancha. La historia trata sobre Ben Randall, que trabaja en la Guardia Costera. Lo interpreta Kevin Costner. Tras una desgracia que le cambia la vida, decide convertirse en mentor de nuevos cadetes, enfrentándose a sus propios fantasmas y a la tarea de transmitir su sabiduría. Entre ellos está Jake Fischer, un joven egocéntrico que intenta demostrar su valía mientras arrastra su propio pasado. La conexión entre los dos actores lleva gran parte del peso de la película, pero a veces se siente predecible. Lo que realmente destaca son las escenas de rescate. Están rodadas con tensión y realismo, haciendo que uno sienta la inmensidad del mar y el peligro constante. Sin embargo, cuando la película se centra en las relaciones personales y el drama fuera del agua, cae en lugares comunes. La típica dinámica entre el mentor experimentado y el aprendiz rebelde ya se ha visto en muchas otras historias, y aquí no aporta nada nuevo. A pesar de esto, la película consigue emocionar en ciertos momentos. El mensaje sobre el sacrificio y el espíritu de equipo está bien logrado, y aunque el guion no siempre brille, The Guardian cumple como un homenaje digno a los hombres y mujeres de la Guardia Costera. No es inolvidable, pero ofrece un entretenimiento sólido para quienes disfrutan de historias de superación y acción marítima. (ENGLISH) The Guardian doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it pulls you in. The story follows Ben Randall, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer played by Kevin Costner. After a life-changing tragedy, he decides to become a mentor to new cadets, confronting his own demons while trying to pass on his hard-earned knowledge. Among these recruits is Jake Fischer, an arrogant young man trying to prove himself while dealing with his own past. The connection between the two actors carries much of the film, though at times it feels predictable. What really stands out are the rescue scenes. They’re shot with tension and realism, making you feel the vastness of the sea and the constant danger. However, when the film shifts focus to personal relationships and the drama on land, it falls into familiar territory. The classic dynamic of the seasoned mentor and the rebellious trainee has been done many times before, and here it doesn’t bring anything fresh. Despite this, the film manages to deliver some emotional moments. The message about sacrifice and teamwork comes through well, and even though the script doesn’t always shine, The Guardian serves as a respectful tribute to the men and women of the Coast Guard. It’s not unforgettable, but it offers solid entertainment for those who enjoy stories of perseverance and maritime action. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/25 Full Review Ralph R The Guardian starts off strong with an engaging introduction that pulls you into the world of elite rescue swimmers. The setup is solid, and the first act does a great job establishing the stakes. But once the second act kicks in, the momentum slows down as the focus shifts almost entirely to training sequences. While these moments have some depth and character development, they drag on too long, making the story feel repetitive. The plot itself follows a familiar formula, and while it has emotional weight, it doesn't bring much originality. It feels like it's trying to be Top Gun for the Coast Guard but without the same energy or unpredictability. That said, the movie is well-executed on a technical level. The cinematography captures the intensity of ocean rescues with some visually striking sequences. The direction is solid, and the pacing is decent. Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher both deliver strong performances, with Costner bringing a grounded, believable presence to his role. The script is good overall, even if some parts feel a bit too by-the-numbers. The score and sound design do their job well, adding tension and emotion where needed. It's a well-made movie, but the plot didn't fully deliver for me. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/25 Full Review Kassy B Warning- you will likely cry. But its a GREAT move Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review Stephen H One of my favorite movies of all-time. Kevin Costner is perfect in this film. Great and funny lines. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/24 Full Review Audience Member watch full amazing movie online on https://glamcinema.com/ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/19/24 Full Review Chris R Whenever I see such a difference in top critics and fan based reviews I know it's a good movie to watch! Movie did not disappoint me! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Guardian

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Movie Info

Synopsis A Coast Guard rescue swimmer (Kevin Costner), who still mourns losing his crew in a fatal accident, copes by dedicating his life to training new recruits, so when he meets swimming champion Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), he molds the cocky young man into his protege and takes him on a mission in the dangerous waters of the Bering Strait.
Director
Andrew Davis
Producer
Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson
Screenwriter
Ron L. Brinkerhoff, James Vanderbilt
Distributor
Buena Vista
Production Co
A School Productions, Contrafilm, Touchstone Pictures, Firm Films, Beacon Pictures, Eyetronics
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Action|Brief Strong Language|Peril|Some Sensuality)
Genre
Drama, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 29, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$55.0M
Runtime
2h 19m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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