A Solid Thriller

Rating: 7/10 (20 January 2019)

18 October 2009. This solid, engaging, and powerfully gripping thriller contained some minor weaknesses at the beginning of the movie as well as a less than potent psychological wow factor that could have propelled this movie into a superior movie. The beginning of this movie flashed by the character development much to rapidly for the audience to bond with Gerald Butler's family and sort of went through the emotions along with a less than clear explanation and development of the series of actions leading to the carriage of mis-justice (how did whom was sentenced wasn't adequately or satisfactorily explained). Along the way there were some convenient script devices that allowed for some leeway in reality-testing, but by the end most (but not all) of the questions are resolved. The climax also failed to offer up the "24" television series element of the big bang threat but offered up only a moderate (we really don't care as much as we might) scene. The movie has a great twist, with the same impact as THE INSIDE MAN (2006). There is also an emotional punch with Jamie Foxx's character's female assistant in the movie. Overall, this movie redeems itself by the end of the movie along with some intense gripping emotional roiling scenes that can be directly attributable to a tough and smart script. 7/10.