Garbage Is Still Garbage, No Matter How Much 'Style'

Rating: 2/10 (7 December 2008)

I tend to give great "visual movies" a look, even if there is a 50-50 chance the film might be "rubbish," as the Brits say. Sometimes I am delighted to find a stylish and well-made film or one that is goofy but harmless and fun. Other times, as in this instance, I find just one thing: garbage, as we Americans say.
This is pure garbage, sad to say, despite the "stylish" action scenes, which are somewhat of a ripoff from the Matrix movies where the film-makers are obsessed over showing slow-motion shots of bullets flying through the air and then smashing into someone's forehead. Hey, a couple of times is fine but non-stop? This is non-stop violence, which tends to get boring fast, especially when it's combined with profane, unlikable characters.
I swear, the lead guy, played by James McAvoy, did nothing but scream for at least 10 straight minutes early on. He, and this film, are really abrasive. This isn't a "good guy" in the bunch here! At least give us someone to root for, not a bunch of sleazebags. I didn't even finish the film. Why waste the whole night?
All the "style" in the world is not going to make up for a mess like this. I'm glad to see most reviewers here sharing that opinion.