Keeps the term 'popcorn-movie' in business.

Rating: 6/10 (29 January 2010)

Let's get one thing straight: despite being released in a late January slot surrounded by Oscar-hyped films, Citizen is no award winner. Thank goodness. As much as the Oscar season can contain some of the best movies of the year, they are invariably all dramas and tend to be emotionally heavy. Citizen is anything but emotionally heavy, subsequently proving to be the ideal way to just switch off and enjoy the escapism.
It all starts with the ludicrous screenplay by Kurt Wimmer. The Equilibrium and Street Kings writer makes a smart move and ensures the dialogue isn't taken too seriously – "It's gonna get biblical" – and the 'awesomeness' factor is amped up to eleven. You may find it difficult to forgive the implausibility of the plot entirely, however the aforementioned qualities of the script, along with a few insanely, almost tongue-in-cheek lashings of violence, should help gloss over the nonsensical parts. Sure, it's a massive stretch to believe just about anything Butler and Foxx do on screen, but damn they look cool doing it.
F. Gary Gray adds to his muddled output of thrillers; this film coming after the decent The Negotiator, the second-rate A Man Apart, the underrated The Italian Job remake and the disappointing sequel Be Cool. For all his unwise film-making decisions throughout Citizen though, Gray contributes something very important: flair. He shoots passionately and confidently, allowing the two megastar leads to shine as expected. Gray can also lay claim to an awe-inspiring, fiery slo-mo shot near the end, a particularly bravura moment for the director.
Butler and Foxx add plenty of style to a flick that keeps the term 'popcorn-movie' in business.
3 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic)