Very good

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2007)

This movie surprised me. it is the usual action film with the gore, blood, macho male with mega muscles and cardboard female characters. The ending was not surprising. What surprised me was how well it was made. The protagonist had depth; even Pena's character was good. Kate Mara and Mark Wahlberg had excellent chemistry; my only complaint is how the directors refused to develop it. This isn't a masterpiece by any means. It's a very good action flick.
I don't like how they portray the female characters. They are either tough girl wannabes (Rhona Mitra) or vulnerable girlfriends (Kate Mara). I know this is typical in action flicks, but I still hate it. I wish they would focus on a woman for once; or at least made Kate Mara's character stronger.
The ending was too contrived. Killing the senator and Johnson was needed, but I wish they put more unpredictability in it. I also didn't like how they underdeveloped Rhona Mitra and Pena's relationship. It came too sudden. But it's an action flick. Relationships are secondary to the pot. They should have cut Kate Mara's part altogether. I liked her. She did very well in her part. It's the character I had a problem with.
All together, I think this was very good. I enjoyed it completely. Of course being a girl I have problems with the way women are portrayed. Other than that, it's the kind of movie I'd watch again and again.