Here’s another old review I found, for a movie I really
liked that is now instant streaming in most places – check it out if you haven’t
seen it!
Here's
something you may not know...January and the early part of February is (for the
most part) used by movie production companies as a dumping ground. People
are recovering from the holidays, don't have much money, and don't go to the
movies as much. Also - it's awards season, so the companies have either
re-released or are still pushing everything that has been nominated, most of
those movies were just released in late December, and now have awards-season
buzz, so have a little more 'legs'. So anytime something is a new release
in January - you shouldn't have high hopes. Season of the Witch,
The Mechanic, and the Green Hornet were all in early last year, and Legion was the
year before.
Now,
if you enjoy cheesy bad movies (like I do - I'm watching Snow Beast on SyFy as
I type, and it is delightfully terrible) this is all good news for you, and remember, just because the
production company has no faith in it, does not mean it won't be popular with
the general audience. I just can't think of any examples right now.
So, last weekend was Contraband, this weekend saw the release of Haywire, Red
Tails, and Underworld: Awakening, and next weekend is Man On A
Ledge.
It
is surprising to find Haywire in January - on paper, it should be
excellent. It is directed by Steven Soderbergh (Contagion, The Informant,
Oceans 11,12,13, Traffic, Out of Sight, Solaris, The Good German) and has a
really impressive supporting cast: Michael Douglas, Antonio
Banderas, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Bill Paxton, and Channing
Tatum. Apparently Soderbergh saw MMA star Gina Carano fighting and
decided to craft a movie around her. Previous to this movie - her only
on-camera work was the televised fights she had, and a stint as
"Crush" on the re-vamp of American Gladiators. So
her acting experience is basically nothing. In this movie
she plays an ex-marine who is currently working for a privately
contracted security group.
As
far as the plot - she gets betrayed by her employer and looks for
revenge. Simple and sweet. In fact, Jimmy Fallon described it as a
Charles Bronson style movie. Carano excels at the action sequences - any
extended dialogue, and her lack of acting experience shows. The movie
is very slick and very deliberate, to the point of being slow in the
beginning. The music is strange, and seems to distract from the movie
early on, but then starts to fit in an odd way. The coloring is very
deliberate as well, reminding me of Traffic - how each color represents a
different area. The fight sequences are all very well done - and feel
very real - no big flashy martial arts, just concise MMA takedown
actions.
All
the cast surrounding Carano are very good - as to be expected.
- Carano plays Mallory Kane and could easily have a future in movies, she looked completely at ease in all the action sequences, and with practice, could eventually look at ease in talky sequences. I have to say that it was really fantastic to have a female character who is strong just because without an elaborate man-related reason. She was a marine - period.
- Channing Tatum has a small role as Aaron, and proves once again that there is more to him that you think there is. He’s certainly capable, and while he has very little to do, he seems very natural.
- Michael Douglas is always good, and plays Alex Coblenz who seems to be the head of the CIA or some other government agency. He exudes carefully crafted sleeze.
- Antonio Banderas plays Rodrigo, and honestly, I would watch a prequel to this that explained the unique relationship between Rodrigo and Coblenz. He’s perfect in this and has a fantastic final scene.
- Ewan McGregor plays Kenneth, and it’s pretty understated for him, but certainly diabolical. He manipulates those around him with a straightforward business sense. When Kane finally tracks him down on the beach – awesome.
- Michael Fassbender plays Paul, who is the other agent paired up with Kane for their little assignment. There is an amazing fight sequence between the two in their hotel room.
- The super fantastic Bill Paxton plays Bill Paxton as Kane’s father. He has some great scenes as Kenneth’s crew track Kane to his house.
I
really enjoyed how stylized and slick-looking the movie was - but I feel like
that will be polarizing - some will like it, some won't. It also moves
much slower than the commercials made it looks like it does, so that will play
on audiences too. All in all, I really liked it - so much more than I was
expecting, and I liked Carano more than I was expecting as well...Maybe she
will be the next Cynthia Rothrock! And - I can get behind her as Wonder
Woman...if she takes a few more acting classes!
8
out of 10 - really really liked it. Taking away a point for the deer -
and that kid in the car. Added a point for Fassbender (insert penis joke
here - unless you haven't seen Shame yet). Took another point away for an
unnecessary broach flashback. We remember when he handed it to her - it
was like two scenes ago!!
Bonus Video 1: Honor and Glory is my favorite Cynthia Rothrock
movie, unfortunately, I cannot find that trailer for you to be amazed by it's magnificence (sarcasm). But here's the trailer to China O'Brien. You get the idea.
Bonus Video 2: ...and here's some fights from Honor and Glory, so you really get the idea.
Bonus Video 3: Super Cheesy video of Carano on American Gladiators.
Bonus Video 4: Cast interviews
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