A solid action flick, definitely worth checking out

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2010)

It seems as though a good old run of the mill action flick is hard to come by. Sometimes you just want to see a Michael Bay things blowing up, mindless action flick (critics just cringed) but its true! Some things are a given with most action flicks. Usually the characters don't get a lot of depth and there isn't a lot of dramatic breathing room but a good action flick will keep your adrenaline pumping and that is exactly what Law Abiding Citizen does. Star power is easy for the film so they carry the story while action is abundant. In my opinion they stuck to the tried and true recipe of action which is just fine but also doesn't set their movie apart from other like it. The story is very simple (in this case all about revenge in an over the top Death Wish type plot), the characters have basic personalities that are mostly one dimensional, but works due to the star power brought on board, and plenty of things blow up. I am happy to say that didn't work hard at PG'ing the movie because you know what? Sometimes an adult wants to see a solid "R" rated action flick although I think Law Abiding Citizen was 14A or something.
Gerard Butler seems to be blazing his way to the top as a Hollywood hero and heart throb. In the last year this guy did comedy, romantic comedy, action, and drama. He is versatile and easy to watch and commands screen presence. In his case I would have really liked to have seen a little more depth to his character. This is a devastated father who also happens to be a top notch Government trained killer (similar to Liam Neeson's Taken character who had more depth.) Jamie Foxx is terrific as the struggling Assistant DA who truly only does what he think is best but in the process puts a target on him and everyone around him when he lets one of Butlers' family's killer off of death row. Foxx and Butler are terrific opposite of each other and really do the cat and mouse game well. Essentially aside of a small supporting cast the movie is entirely about Foxx and Butler.
One of the films shortcomings ironically is its best parts. Foxx and Butler do this great mind game cat and mouse type deal and yet I could imagine with a bit of a more intelligent script their interaction and chemistry could have been off the charts. Director F. Gary Gray comes from music as many manic action directors do but fortunately for him his style is not manic because it would not have worked for this movie. Instead he goes for a subtle approach. He doesn't really have a ton of experience so if I'm right he goes in slowly which is a good move for him because he could have taken two great actors and really messed this up for them. At least this way it was reasonably successful and enjoyable. It's the perfect Saturday night flick for the grown ups, plenty to enjoy for both the man and the woman and while it won't likely be many's favorite movie, it will keep you excited and fulfilled for the two hours you watch it. 8/10