Entertaining, intense, but unrealistic

Rating: 8/10 (28 October 2009)

I very much enjoyed this movie. The pacing was excellent. It kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. Although the story telling was sacrificed a bit to keep up the intensity. But it's a sacrifice that's understandable.
The acting of all the main characters were excellent. I thought Gerald Butler did a great job.
The story itself, however, was unrealistic. Lawyers having their own interest in mind and not representing their clients properly? Justice not served in the court of law due to technicalities and back room deals? That part does happen in real life. But what the "law abiding citizen" was capable of would make him a super villain with ultra intellect in a comic book. Also, the burden of preventing further actions by Clyde fell on the shoulders of Nick, who is only a lawyer. Realistically any clues uncovered should have been handed over to law enforcement. But this was done for the dramatic effect; the two nemesis facing each other.
The ending was a bit anti-climatic. But the resolution of this movie is kind of tricky, since there were really no clear-cut good guys. I'm not sure how a "better" ending would play out.
But it was intense, entertaining, and I would recommend it.