Throughout its 102 minutes, the crackle of a smart script alternates with the crunch of breaking bones.
Violence begets violence.
Unlike John Woo, Quentin Tarantino and even Sam Peckinpah, Helgeland doesn't worship violence, doesn't choreograph bloody ballets. That leaves him way too mad to die. Determined to get his cash, regardless of the cost in everyone's blood, Porter hatches a series of smart plans. Porter's voice-overs echo Mike Hammer, giving an extra boost to the sort of gumshoe genre that's perfect for the story's spirit. The look is a brighter film noir with little color - except blood red.