Spartan MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 Content: -2

In this suspense thriller, Robert Scott (Val Kilmer) is a highly respected military special-operations officer and is recruited to find Laura Newton (Kristenon Bell), the daughter of an important high-ranking official. Robert and his partner Curtis (Derek Luke), while working with a special task force comprised of Presidential advisors, the Secret Service, FBI and CIA stumble on a white slavery ring, which may have some connection to Lauras disappearance. Lauras death is reported in the news, and the mission is scrubbed. Robert returns to his home in a quiet, rural neighborhood. But Curtis discovers evidence that Laura may still be alive and shares this with Robert. The duo attempts to find and rescue the girl, this time without the militarys support, despite the risk of a political conspiracy that could endanger them all.

Spartan is a roller coaster of entertainment value, starting out interesting, slowing to a dull pace, and then picking up and dropping off again. As in most stories involving secret military operations, a lot of deception and violence is portrayed in this film. Men are shot on several occasions and, in one case, a man is shot directly in the head. Another mans throat is cut with a knife. The brutality is portrayed as somewhat acceptable if the circumstances warrant it. There is a brief scene of sensuality when a woman takes off her top, but she is viewed only from behind. Language is bad throughout the film with nearly 30 occurrences of the f-word. Spartan isnt all that entertaining and has little redeeming value, earning Previews unacceptable status for violence, bad language and a lack of a substantial moral message.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Warner Brothers