I streamed this earlier today, and last night, one of those movies I wanted to see, but not in theaters, and knowing it would be pretty fukking bad.
Clunky, clumsy is two words that quickly come to mind. The movie makes kind of a mockery out of the very real premise of federal sentencing guidelines, you expect Hollywood to gloss it over a little, but you have Susan Sarandon overselling it like Cruella Deville, as a ruthless US Attorney, all but foaming at the mouth to advance her career and cut, kill, and deal her way to the top. The Rock's kid gets busted in a flimsy bust by one of his best friends, and before he has even had a bail hearing or appeared in court, the lawyer is saying he will get 10 years unless he cooperates.
Even without cooperation, on his part or the Dad's, he would likely be sentenced far below the minimum, the movie treats it's audience like children, and it probably should, it's PG-13 thriller, but the way they disregard facts and glorify confidential informants and cooperators is kind of odd, and theres no real message to any of it. Federal sentencing guidelines are unfair? Confidential informants are heroes? The movie isn't sure. It features strong acting from supporting players, but there is a wide streak of ridiculous that cuts a swath through the movie, undermining almost everything.
I believe Michael K. Williams as a desperate, paranoid, criminal fearful of a third strike, what I don't believe is that he rolls around in a Hummer with gunmen in the suburbs, forcing his way into the Rock's house. And a host of other irregularities.
Benjamen Bratt played a good kingpin/boss in 'Traffic', and he could have here, except for the ludicrous plot devices that have broad daylight shootouts, with 31 killed, on the US side of the border. Or have him running the fictional 'Nuevo Leon Cartel', which crosses it's product through Juarez/El Paso....two states over, and a third rate sequence where he gives The Rock the 'Miami Vice' speech. You know it's a good security practice to subtly threaten the lives of your underlings families....probably a better one not to meet them. Shane, does a great job, despite the cliched scenes with his wife, the local gangmembers and his son. And the fact his loyalties lay with the Rock, for very few reasons. Add in a showdown that both 'The Fast & The Furious' and 'Blue Streak' have done, and you have an undercooked drama with some throwaway action sequences.
Clunky, clumsy is two words that quickly come to mind. The movie makes kind of a mockery out of the very real premise of federal sentencing guidelines, you expect Hollywood to gloss it over a little, but you have Susan Sarandon overselling it like Cruella Deville, as a ruthless US Attorney, all but foaming at the mouth to advance her career and cut, kill, and deal her way to the top. The Rock's kid gets busted in a flimsy bust by one of his best friends, and before he has even had a bail hearing or appeared in court, the lawyer is saying he will get 10 years unless he cooperates.
Even without cooperation, on his part or the Dad's, he would likely be sentenced far below the minimum, the movie treats it's audience like children, and it probably should, it's PG-13 thriller, but the way they disregard facts and glorify confidential informants and cooperators is kind of odd, and theres no real message to any of it. Federal sentencing guidelines are unfair? Confidential informants are heroes? The movie isn't sure. It features strong acting from supporting players, but there is a wide streak of ridiculous that cuts a swath through the movie, undermining almost everything.
I believe Michael K. Williams as a desperate, paranoid, criminal fearful of a third strike, what I don't believe is that he rolls around in a Hummer with gunmen in the suburbs, forcing his way into the Rock's house. And a host of other irregularities.
Benjamen Bratt played a good kingpin/boss in 'Traffic', and he could have here, except for the ludicrous plot devices that have broad daylight shootouts, with 31 killed, on the US side of the border. Or have him running the fictional 'Nuevo Leon Cartel', which crosses it's product through Juarez/El Paso....two states over, and a third rate sequence where he gives The Rock the 'Miami Vice' speech. You know it's a good security practice to subtly threaten the lives of your underlings families....probably a better one not to meet them. Shane, does a great job, despite the cliched scenes with his wife, the local gangmembers and his son. And the fact his loyalties lay with the Rock, for very few reasons. Add in a showdown that both 'The Fast & The Furious' and 'Blue Streak' have done, and you have an undercooked drama with some throwaway action sequences.
