Firstly let me just say the ratings here of 1's and 2's are just idiotic. There are always 'individuals' with an axe to grind about something they don't like, but a review is here not just to voice opinion, or as happens too often here 'vent' but also help others decide what to watch, and using a false perspective helps no one... so here goes.
I enjoyed most of this movie. It seems to be the norm these days but the writing, or more accurately parts of the plot and script, really do need some work. The shortcomings here are a tad shy of what I'd call 'serious' but enough to taint the overall movie sufficiently to make the viewing experience lacking. The ending in particular is hurried and a little foolish. It's poorly contrived and feels a little panicked as though there wasn't enough time to get it completely right. It lets down what is otherwise a half decent tale quite badly.
Sam Worthington plays a locally feared criminal head honcho, but we're given no information on the nature of this illicit business , in fact all aspects of this part of the story are curiously absent and we're left with a void of detail that hampers our ability to form any real connection with aspects of the story and many of the characters because of this. Considering the length of the film 1:36 they should really have re-appropriated some of the time afforded to many of the scenes that laboured for no good reason, to this more significant aspect of the story.
Worthington's rag-tag four man outfit of henchmen are really a 'Keystones Cop' bunch of misfits that seem anything but professional hitmen, or even seasoned thugs. Worthington does a good job with the role and totally carries pretty much all his scenes though sadly he's still let down but some poor screenplay and a wanting script.
Lena Headly tends to excel in roles that either require little emotional expression or those requiring excellence in the dark or negative side of human emotions and failings. She struggles a bit with the brighter emotional moments, even smiling seems to push her abilities somewhat. Though she does give a good performance, she's a little out of her depth in some of the scenes. Still, I think she does the role justice, and does pretty good job working with the material she's given... such as it is.
Dean Scott Vazquez is very good here and he may be one to watch as he certainly has a lot of potential and could be a star in the making. Barbara Hershey has a minor role but the rest of the cast is largely forgettable save Cam Gigandet who I found particularly entertaining as Tommy.
Its an enjoyable film for the most part and though it does fall short in quite a few areas the underlying story is a good one. Sadly it wasn't done well here, and I can't really recommend it as a satisfying entertainment piece. At one hour and thirty six minutes, its a lot of time to invest in mediocrity.
