For years now Hollywood has been mining old TV shows to make movies and start a new franchise. The most surprising thing for me has been that it took so long to get this TV series to the screen big screen.
There is a line spoken by Hannibal in this film which I think sums it up perfectly: 'overkill is underrated'. I think 'over the top' is a tame expression to use to describe this film. For some films this can be a bad thing but for this film it works. Director Joe Carnahan and his co-writers have written a film that is pretty full on in the action department with some sequences that are a bit silly. But it seems to work with the story and situation. Joe has been able to make a really fun action film that sweeps you along in all its silliness and gives you a great time. The story is fairly thin and predictable but you don't care because the action is what you come for. I must say though he does give a few of the characters some dimensionality which goes along way to make them seem more than just action pawns.
One other great thing Joe has done is cast the film well. Liam Neeson was in another silly action film earlier this year. But here he seems to be having a lot more fun and getting into the action. Bradley Cooper is becoming a big star now and he is nicely moving through various genres. I think he could become a good action hero. I'm not a fan of Ultimate Fighting but Quinton Jackson does a very good job as BA Baracus. A role not easy to get into considering the previous occupant. The real star here though is Sharlto Copley. He shows a great deal of talent as a comic star and I hope we see him in more films. Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson do a great job in pretty under written roles as government agents.
As outrageously silly as this film is, it is still a great deal of fun. While it will not challenge you cerebrally it will make you laugh and go 'wow that's cool'.
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