Sela Ward Movie:

Editorial Review:
The Guardian offers satisfying entertainment with a no-nonsense combination of Hollywood formula and good old-fashioned star power. While honoring the men and women who serve as rescue swimmers for the U.S. Coast Guard, this predictable yet appealing drama is a well-crafted showcase for Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, who bring welcome depth and dimension to their formulaic roles. It's basically Top Gun for the Coast Guard, with Costner playing a legendary rescuer haunted by recent tragedy and the impending break-up of his marriage, and Kutcher as the hot-shot recruit whose bravado is tested when Costner takes over a grueling 18-week basic training course, where a 50% attrition rate ensures that only the best will make the grade. There's nothing particularly inventive about Ron L. Brinkerhoff's screenplay, but it's intelligently written and well-directed (by The Fugitive helmer Andrew Davis) as it shows how seasoned veteran and troubled but talented trainee build mutual respect while sorting through the trauma of accidents that left each of them as sole survivors, tormented by self-doubt and guilt.

Bolstered by a strong supporting cast including Neal McDonough, John Heard, Sela Ward and Clancy Brown, The Guardian is a bit on the long side (137 minutes), but it never feels slow, and a romantic subplot (with Kutcher wooing a schoolteacher played by Melissa Sagemiller) blends nicely with thrilling ocean-rescue sequences incorporating a seamless blend of CGI and footage shot in a 750,000-gallon water tank. Music fans will welcome the scene-stealing appearance of veteran singer Bonnie Bramlett as the owner of a jazz/blues club near the training base, where The Guardian serves up yet another staple of its genre: the barroom brawl. Although Hurricane Katrina prevented The Guardian from being filmed in New Orleans in 2005, real-life footage during the closing credits makes it clear that the Coast Guard was essential in Katrina's aftermath, and this rousing drama pays overdue tribute to those who risk there lives (to quote the Coast Guard's motto) "so that others may live." --Jeff Shannon

The Guardian Reviews:
Go Coast Guard! I loved this movie... I've seen it at least 50 times!
2009-11-24 - I absolutely loved this movie. As a Red Cross disaster volunteer I witnessed the work of the Coast Guard during Kathrina and at many other disasters since. People don't hear about the Coast Guard much, but if you just think about their name... they have a lot to protect, all the time, not just when we are at war. I loved Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher is one of my favorites. I only wish they hadn't cut out so much of the movie and it would have been longer. I've watched this movie so many times that I wore out the first DVD. My son's dog ate my second copy so I'm purchasing a 3rd. Well worth watching and I've watched all of the Special Features including the Director's commentary. It was awesome too!

That others may live
2009-07-09 - As others have doubtlessly pointed out, there are some genuine parallels between the present movie and the 1980s Top Gun (Widescreen Special Collector's Edition). Like TG, it is about a grizzled veteran (portrayed by Kevin Costner) who is attempting to teach a young hot-shot (Ashton Kutcher) (in TG it was Tom Skeritt & Tom Cruise in these roles). There is the ubiquitous babe-in-the-bar-bet (this time played by Melissa Sagemiller; Kelly McGillis in TG). And, of course, there are the haunting flashbacks to a disaster.

That said, anyone who wishes to write this movie off as nothing more than the Coast Guard's version of TOP GUN would be sorely mistaken. This is a great movie in its own right, and the comparisons to the landmark Navy aviation flick should only be peripheral. In short, this is a terrific story that both intrigues the viewer as well as demonstrates the awe inspiring professionalism of the United States Coast Guard.

Unlike TG, this is a movie that's much more about the instructor (Costner) than it is the student. Afraid that he is on the verge of being washed up, a legendary Senior Chief takes a temporary assignment to teach a new generation of rescue swimmers. Among them is a Michael Phelps like swimmer (Kutcher) who has all the physical tools but needs to be shown the ropes of the craft.

Having watched Deadliest Catch - Seasons 1, 2, & 3 on the HISTORY Channel, I could tell that there was a remarkable degree of authenticity to the procedures / terminology / operations of the Coast Guard as they were depicted in this film. The end credits showed what I had suspected, which was that there was a great deal of collaboration with the Coast Guard during the making of this film. Some real-live USCG swimmers were even extras in the film!

The motto of the Coast Guard is "So others may live." This is precisely the same motto used by the brave Air Force parajumpers who go behind enemy lines to rescue downed pilots. This is a truly fabulous movie that is family friendly and pays homage to the gallant sailors, airmen & swimmers who are in the Coast Guard & uphold this motto as a sacred trust. This film honors the USCG in the same way that Ladder 49 (Widescreen Edition) honors firefighters. I cannot recommend this movie highly enough!

Very Solid And Well Done Movie
2009-07-06 - I must say that the guardian is a very solid movie. When you think of ashton kucher in acting roles you think dumbass college boy right? Well in this movie he is completely opposite from that and very serious. He did a very good job in his role as Jake Fischer. But let me start from the beginning.

The guardian is a movie about the coast guard and in particular rescue swimmers. It's about a bunch of recruits who are going through training to be rescue swimmers. The coast guard only takes a handful and only the best. Jake Fischer (ashton kutcher) is the main recruit, one of the most gifted, and by far the best of them all. He also is a little cocky to go with it. He and his fellow recruits get instructed by a legend. Senior Chief Ben Randall, who is played by Kevin Costner, is a guy who after dealing with a horrible accident is forced to go instruct recruits as a comeback before he can go back in the water. That doesn't make him to happy. The whole time he and Fischer deal with their own issues and their personalities clash. In the end it's all for one thing though. To try to become a rescue swimmer for the coast guard which is one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the world.

I must say I am a guy who likes military and war movies and I didn't know much about the coast guard before this movie. But I'm here to say that after watching this I was left with a feeling of much respect for all of the coast guard. A branch of the military that is often forgotten and disrespected. But just as they say in the movie, " No one likes us until they need us." Anyone who has been disrespected unfairly can understand that it doesnt make sense.People should also remember they were a huge part of the support that was given during Hurricane Katrina. Like I said before kutcher gives a great performance. A great indication that this guy can do some serious movies. Also the rest of the cast was great as well especially Kevin Costner. Seeing how much work everyone put in preparing for this movie it's just well done all around. Great emotion and feeling in this movie. Much respect for the Coast Guard.


The Poor Man's "Officer and a Gentleman"
2009-05-13 - Being a member of the CG Auxiliary I had high hopes for this movie. I was very disappointed. What could have been a good but often told tale of "the old veteran training young upshots" quickly degenerated into a rip-off of the vastly superior "Officer and a Gentleman," right down to the spray-the-young-recruit-with-a-hose scene. The only good things were Kutcher's love interest, and the old lady who owned the bar Costner's character frequents; good actresses. And the ending where Costner's character kills himself made no sense at all. Dumb! Save your money and rent the Richard Gere/Debra winger classic instead.

uggghhhh!!
2009-04-21 - i like costner and kutcher just fine and wanted to like this movie, but (oh jesus!!!!!!!!!) it was awful. The screenplay was utter [..], leading us to devastatingly horrible acting. I could watch it again and try to give it another shot, but it is just not worth it. I remember sitting in the movie theater and cringing in the pain of how horrible it was to watch this. Watch at your own risk!!