The Guardian

2006, Drama/Action, 2h 19m

150 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

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. Read critic reviews

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The Guardian Photos

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Action|Brief Strong Language|Peril|Some Sensuality)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Andrew Davis
  • Producer:
    Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson
  • Writer:
    Ron L. Brinkerhoff, James Vanderbilt
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $55.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Buena Vista
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SRD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Kevin Costner
Ben Randall
Ashton Kutcher
Jake Fischer
Sela Ward
Helen Randall
Melissa Sagemiller
Emily Thomas
Clancy Brown
Capt. William Hadley
Dulé Hill
Ken Weatherly
Neal McDonough
Jack Skinner
John Heard
Capt. Frank Larson
Damon Lipari
Damon Bennett
Travis Willingham
Travis Finely
Peter Gail
Danny Doran
Omari Hardwick
Carl Billings
Alex Daniels
Wild Bill
Brian Geraghty
Billy Hodge
Bonnie Bramlett
Maggie McGlone
Shelby Fenner
Cate
Andrew Davis
Director
Ron L. Brinkerhoff
Writer
James Vanderbilt
Writer
Beau Flynn
Producer
Tripp Vinson
Producer
Armyan Bernstein
Executive Producer
Zanne Devine
Executive Producer
Charlie Lyons
Executive Producer
Peter Macgregor-Scott
Executive Producer
Stephen St. John
Cinematographer
Thomas J. Nordberg
Film Editing
Dennis Virkler
Film Editing
Sarah Halley Finn
Casting
Randi Hiller
Casting
Maher Ahmad
Production Design
Andrew Max Cahn
Art Director
Austin Gorg
Art Director
Gene Serdena
Set Decoration
Trevor Rabin
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for The Guardian

All Critics (150) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (95)
Full Review… Brian Tallerico UGO Screenwriter's Voice Full Review… Robert Hanks Independent (UK) Full Review… Josh Rosenblatt Austin Chronicle Full Review… Stephanie Zacharek Salon.com Full Review… Scott Bowles USA Today Full Review… Geoff Pevere Toronto Star Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… VyceVictus Lewton Bus Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… Kaleem Aftab The List Full Review… Joshua Starnes ComingSoon.net Full Review… Heather Huntington ReelzChannel.com
View All Critic Reviews (150)

Audience Reviews for The Guardian

  • Aug 25, 2012
    There is nothing special and falls into the common and predictable, but it is entertaining, a little touching, with an ending that redeems the whole movie
    Rodrigo R Super Reviewer
  • Jan 10, 2012
    Although very similar to An Officer and a Gentleman the subject matter and performances make it entertaining enough.
    Jonny C Super Reviewer
  • Jun 27, 2011
    Highly entertaining. Watching the development of the two main characters is unique and the rescue scenes are intense. Just a little too long.
    Kevin M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 19, 2010
    I actually liked this movie a lot, I didnt think it was this good.
    Andreia C Super Reviewer
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