Rated R for strong bloody violence and language.
Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, The Legend of Zorro, Vertical Limit and The Mask Of Zorro)
Starring Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone and Danny Huston
“Few escape justice. None escape vengeance.” That’s pretty much all you need to know.
Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department and a single father. When his only child, 24-year-old Emma, is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes that he was the target. But he soon suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his daughter's secret life and her killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous looking-glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder — and to shadowy government operative Darius Jedburgh who has been sent in to clean up the evidence. Craven's solitary search for answers about his daughter's death transforms into an odyssey of emotional discovery and redemption.
I know Mel Gibson has had a rough road lately but I’ll admit I’m still a fan. In fact The Million Dollar Hotel was the only Mel Gibson film I haven’t liked in the past 20 years (you say you don’t know anything about The Million Dollar Hotel? Consider it a blessing). So it’s not easy for me to score this lower than a rental. And believe me it is just under the Rental score because Mel is good…but not great.
The story is good, but it’s not great either. There have been countless revenge films and this won’t crack the top 20 of them. And with characters that aren’t particularly likeable I faded in and out of interest.
There are a couple of cool scenes and a few thrills. The beginning starts with a bang and the ending comes together nicely. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to redeem the sluggish and convoluted middle.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Obviously not younger kids, but with no sex or nudity I think it’s ok for mature teenagers.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
