Confusingly watchable

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2010)

This is a good (non-)superhero movie. It mixes action, drama and comedy in an interesting way. Extremely interesting.
Our hero isn't a hero, but he wants to be. So he becomes one, but not really. Or does he? Revolving around the point of being a hero the movie brings some confusion. It starts with a noble message, but loses it towards the end. First it wants to show itself in a realistic light, but because of that tone you are just more struck about the violence in the movie. At some points it's just cruel.
So it leans more and more on the superhero concept throughout the movie - good guys versus bad guys, extreme mindless action, it even features a painstaking cliffhanger.
Another thing that bothered me is the love interest. This isn't a spoiler as it seems that every single movie nowadays needs a lil' bit of love. OK, there's nothing wrong with being in love, but the way it develops in the film ... Let's just say it's a bit rash.
Despite writing all of the above the movie is still great to watch. It's no masterpiece, but it's an interesting mix of various ingredients (and other movies) - one minute you'll be excited about the action, the other you'll have something to think about, you'll have a few moments to form a smile and there might even be a few minutes where you'll be scared.