Rollerball
Starring: Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Jean Reno, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
Rated: PG-13 (violence, nudity)
Notes for Parents: “Rollerball” is a film aimed at teenagers, but the unpleasant tone of the violence near the end may make it worrisome to parents of younger teens.
“Rollerball” starts out as a great thrill ride of a film, featuring beautiful people of both genders rocketing around the screen in cartoonishly violent contests of speed, strength, and reflexes. For action lovers, it’s an early spring dream come true! Jonathan (Chris Klein) lets his friend Marcus (LL Cool J) talk him into going to Russia to play professional Rollerball, a game which involves players on motorcycles and rollerblades zipping around a loop trying to score points by flinging a heavy ball against a plate. Jonathan quickly becomes the darling of the sport, with his American good looks and raw talent.
Naturally, there’s something fishy afoot, and when Jonathan finds out that team owner Petrovich (Jean Reno) is manufacturing “accidents” to get higher ratings, he wants out. Marcus talks him into staying for the money, and he does – until things go to far.
The plot is riddled with clich