“IT’S A BLAST”
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Michael Gambon, Leslie Bibb, and Colm Meaney
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape and pervasive language.
Genre: Thriller/Crime Drama
Release Date: October 2009
By John Delia
This twisty crime drama has a lot going for it including a great cast, intriguing storyline and very good direction. If you like crime stories that get you rooting for the bad guy, then Law Abiding Citizen fits the your movie mold. I liked the characters in this good guy vs. bad guy vs. good guy movie and Foxx and Butler are right on the mark.
During a home invasion robbery gone badly, Clyde Shelton (Butler) is the only survivor loosing his wife and daughter who are brutally murdered. At the trial, the attorney, Nick Rice (Foxx) allows one of the killers to take a plea bargain to convict what he thinks is the responsible party. After 10 years the released convicted felon is found dead and Shelton admits to the killing. With Shelton behind bars, Nick feels safe from the distraught man and goes on with his life. But when things bad start to happen to all those concerned with the trial, Nick finds himself in harms way.
I liked the acting in Law Abiding Citizen and could feel the hurt and burning inside both Butler and Foxx coming from the screen. There are several scenes where the look on their faces tells more than the dialogue.
Directing by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job) is very good keeping his A list lead actors under control and getting stirring performances that make the film entertaining. I especially liked the scene where Foxx (as Rice) has left the
jail and cars start blowing up behind him. The dubious yet frightful look on his face is priceless.
The film is rated R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape and pervasive language so I recommend not taking immature youngsters to the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A hot ticket to a thriller. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)