Parker Movie Review

Parker Movie Review

Every year Hollywood in January gives us at least one action movie that is as standard and generic as anymovie can get. Sometimes they can be good or really bad. Back, in 2011 we got The Mechanic with Jason Statham, which was one of the most uncomfortable action movies I've ever seen, and just an all around terrible film. Then last year, we had Contraband with Mark Wahlberg, and sue me for saying this because I know a lot of people really didn't like that film, but I really enjoyed Contraband. Yes it had a plot that has been done to death, but it delivered good action scenes and there was just something that made it so enjoyable. Now, in 2013 we have Parker another movie that uses a plot we've seen so many times before, and is yet again another action thriller starring Jason Statham. Now, I'm personally a fan of Jason Statham, in fact he's definitely one of my favorite action stars out there. He does play the same character in the same movie a lot, but I think he has much screen presence and charisma on screen. And, I'm one of the few people that liked the trailers for this movie, and despite the poor reviews this movie was receiving I went into it with some hopeful expectations.  But, oh boy was that a mistake. Parker is yet again another movie that has January written all over it: bad script, waste of talented cast, generic plot that has been done to death before, and many dull moments. There is some fun to have with the film, but there's so many flaws.

Parker follows the title character, skilled thief Parker (played by Jason Statham) who says he doesn't steal from the poor or hurt innocent people. In the opening of the film, after a heist he's doubled crossed by his own crew, lead by Melander (played by the underrated Michael Chiklis), by being shot and left for dead. He survives, and follows them to Palm Beach, Flordia, and swears to get revenge on them. Meanwhile, Parker pretends to be a man named, Daniel Palmer, and enlists help from a real estate agent, Leslie Rodgers (played by Jennifer Lopez), who helps him find out what other plans the crew members have. And from there on, Parker is just a typical and routine action film.

I'll get the good stuff out of the way first. Jason Statham is playing his usual characters that he's known to play, but he does it really well and as I already said before he has lots of charisma and screen presence especially during action scenes. His character is definitely not all that likeable, but Statham does make him a little more likeable than he really is. He's given a lot of weak material to work with, but he does the best with what he's given. There are some action scenes in this movie that really work and while they're nothing special, they are enjoyable for the most part. The best action scene in the movie involves Statham and a sniper in a hotel room, that's all I'll say. I really did like the opening scene for this movie, I thought it was a great way to start of the film, even though I had basically already seen the opening in the trailers and tv spots. But, unfortunately those are really the only positives I can come up with this movie. 

Parker is overall just a mess especially the more I think about it. The movie features a really solid cast overall, but honestly other than Jason Statham, the performances in this movie are really just mediocre. Granted, I don't really blame the actors, they're given a weak script to work with. Jennifer Lopez who I actually overall do like as an actress, I really liked her in Out of Sight (well both physically and acting wise), and An Unfinished Life (underrated movie by the way), gives a really bland performance in this movie. Her character is really poorly written, and her and Statham really don't have much chemistry together. Really, Lopez is just in this movie to give eye candy to the male audience which I'm totally fine with, and at 40 something years old she definitely still delivers that so that's one plus I can say. Definitely one of the biggest reasons I was somewhat looking forward to this film was to see Michael Chiklis as basically the main antagonist of the movie, because I've always really liked him as an actor and think he's really underrated. I never really watch The Shield that much, but I do like him in anything I have seen him in. Chiklis is unfortunately though completely wasted in this movie, and plays one of the most one-note and over the top villains I've seen in a long time. Throughout the entire movie, he's nothing more than just angry, and honestly he never really came off as meancing. I was really disappointed in his performance, but again I blame the writting not the actor. Nick Nolte is just playing Nick Nolte, which I'm definitely fine with, but he's really underused as well and about midway through the movie his character is like compltely forgetten and never brought up again. So basically you could put anyone in that role, and you'll still get the same result, but of course they choosed a legendary actor to play a useless character. And everyother performance in the movie I won't bother bringing up because they're seriously not worth talking about. 

The script for this film is really all over the place. It is just so convoluted and forced. There's lots of really bad and uninteresting dialogue in this film. And any attempt at any humor falls compltely flat. The relationship and bond that forms between Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez really brings the film down, and I never really felt any connection between them. The whole sub plot just felt forced, and it just slows down the movie particuarly in the middle act of the film, where I feel like there's literally almost no action. And that's another big problem with this movie, the pacing is so off, and the movie just drags on and on. It's basically 2 hours long, but it feels even longer, and much of that is just due to how weak the story with Jennifer Lopez character is. There's also lots of characters in this film that feel completely unnecessary and add absoutely nothing to the overall movie. And once those characters are out of the film you're asking yourself "WTF were they in this movie." And the film just feels very dull, and bland. I mean there are some attempt at character moments in this movie which I do like, but any of those attempts really just fell flat for me. There's also this sub plot that involves Statham, and his girlfriend (very hot by the way), which didn't really bother me, but there is this one scene in the movie where it felt like they were seriously trying to throw this love triangle into the film, which annoyed the crap out of me, but thankfully they didn't take it that way that's all I'll say. And really the film is just so predictable, and just such a generic revenge action thriller. You can predict absoutely every plot element in this film, and the film just brings nothing new to the genre. There was just one scene in this movie that kept me off guard, and it was the only scene I felt any kind of threat to Jason Statham's character. And with all of the problems this movie has and how flat it is, I really can't believe this film was actually directed by Taylor Hackford, the guy that directed Ray with Jamie Foxx. You would think with that kind of director behind it, the movie would attempt to bring something new and not just pile on cliches after cliches, but it doesn't do that, it felt like Hackford and the whole cast didn't give a crap about this movie at all and they were just doing it for the paycheck. And, after seeing the movie I can't blame them because this is a mediocre movie at best. And the climax in the movie just felt a bit cheap, and rushed. The direction in this movie wasn't terrible, I mean thankfully Hackford doesn't overuse any shaky cam during the action scenes, but it's nothing special either. 

Overall, while Parker definitely has its entertaining moments, in the end the film is just a mess, and is just yet again another mediocre January movie. It's got some really cool action scenes, but the film itself is brought down by a bland script, characters that have no purpose to the movie, mediocre performances from good actors, a tedious second act, generic villains and motivations, a rushed climax, and a contrived and convoluted plot. It's not a terrible film, it's definitely better than like The Mechanic thankfully, but it's not a good movie either. In all honestly, it's probably my least favorite movie I've seen so far this year, I think I might even like it slightly less than Broken City. I definitely would skip this one, I really don't think it's worth spending money on, just wait for the rental unless you're a really big Jason Statham fan. I'm glad there's still a lot of good movies out there, because this weekened didn't give us really any good releases. I mean I haven't seen Movie 43 yet, but that's getting some of the worst reviews a movie can possibly get, so I'll probably just wait to rent that one. This film was a bit of a disappointment, and I'll give it an unfortunate 2/5. What a trend of mediocre movies, these last few weeks have been. 

FINAL LETTER GRADE: C-, 4.5/10. 

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters Movie Review

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters Movie Review

Hansel & Gretel is a continuation of the classic Hansel & Gretel fairy tale we are all pretty familar with, and takes a really dark/twisted turn with it. And boy does it. When I saw the trailers for this movie, I had very mix feelings about it. The trailers visually looked to be cool and nice to look at, but while I do like the idea of putting a twist on classic fairy tales, it is starting to get a little tiring now, and we already saw two Snow White movies last year. One which was solid (Snow White and the Huntsman), and the other was just plain terrible (*cough* Mirror, Mirror). And of course pretty soon, we will soon be getting Jack the Giant Killer, another one I'm just not looking forward to. However, despite how silly the plot and CGI looked, I'll definitely see anything with Jeremey Renner. But, the fact that this film was getting a January release was not a good sign especially since it can easily be a summer blockbuster movie. And just like the trailers suggested this is definitely a January movie once again with a lackluster script, cliches, a bland story, and just overrall a pretty average film. But, like Broken City, there is some fun to be have with it thankfully.

After, they're abandoned by their mother and father, Hansel (played by Jeremy Renner), and Gretel (played by Gemma Arterton, the hot princess from Prince of Persia, and Clash of the Titans) find a gingerbread house where they come across an evil witch who nearly eats them to pieces, but somehow they outsmart her and end up burning her alive by throwing her into an oven. Years later, Hansel and Gretel are now witch hunters and are famous for all of their accomplishments. They're hired by the mayor of the town, Augsburg (a town in Germany) to find and kill the witch, Muriel (played by Famke Janssen) who has kidnapped several children from the town and are set to also rescure the children before Muriel burns every single one of them. And from there on, we have a mixed bag movie to say the least.

The performances in this film from the cast are certainly nothing special, but they're nothing bad either. Jeremy Renner, even when you place him into a mediocre movie, never gives a bad performance, and that's definitely no different here. He brings lots of needed charisma, and screen presence to the character of Hansel, and does a really solid job in the action scenes. It's by no means another powerhouse performance from him, but with the material he's given, it's a decent performance for sure. Gemma Arterton, who's amazingly hot by the way, thankfully holds her own for the most part acting wise beside Jeremy Renner, and the two do share some solid on-screen chemistry together. However, Famke Janssen who I have always liked as an actress, gives a very average performance in this movie. She plays the main antagonist, and there's some moments where her performance works, but then there are other moments where she just comes off as really goofy, and honestly not meancing at all. I would definitely say she's a bit too over the top in a lot of scenes, but then again that totally fits this movie which I'm fine with, but the moments where she's suppose to be scary or meancing, I didn't find her to be at all. I definitely prefer her as Xenia in the James Bond movie, Goldeneye. But, to be fair she's given a really cliched and weak villain to play. And everyone else in the movie, are not really worth talking about because they're really just mediocre. 

The film's directed by Tommy Wirkola, and this is really the first big movie he's made here in America, and I could definitely tell that by watching this movie. That's not to say he does a bad job directing this film, because I really love the look and feel he gives this movie, and the visuals are probably the strongest element the movie has going for it. But, honestly when it came to action scenes, I thought the direction in them was pretty terrible with some really poor shaky cam that honestly made me dizzy. And I hardly ever get dizzy in a movie, even with terrible shaky cam. I definitely wasn't bored with all of the action scenes, I just didn't like the direction in them, and Wirkola just needs to know how to keep the camera still. 

This movie is extremely over the top, and just beyond silly and ridiclous. And I completely understand that was likely what they were going for, which I'm fine with, but my big problem with this movie is the comedy and horror elements to it. Neither of them honestly worked for me, I hardly laughed at any of the attempt of humor, and even with the insane amout of blood in this movie, I never once felt scared, or creeped out by anything that was going on in this film. I thought a lot of the CGI and effects were beyond goofy, and it was honestly hard for me to take a lot of this seriously. Which leads me to another problem with this movie: the unbalance tone. At one point, this film was basically a comedy, and than another moment, it would just become so deadly serious, and just a really hard film to get into. The script by Tommy Wirkola and Dante Harper is very poorly written. It's filled with really poor dialogue (including poor attempt at humor), cliches we've seen in films exactly like this, and so many predictable moments. This movie is supposedly a twist on the classic fairy tale that we know, and while in some ways it is particularly with the blood, you can still predict everything that's coming, and there's absoutely no surprises unless you consider blood popping up at the screen to be great surprises. There's also this romantic sup-plot with Hansel and this woman, which you know exactly where that's going, and by the time the film ends, it felt like there was almost no point to that story. I will say though there is one nice nudity scene involving that woman who is hot, that guys like me will definitely enjoy. It's definitely something that you're not used to seeing in fairy tale movies. 

But even with all of those complaints, the film isn't terrible. There are definitely entertaining moments to it. Like I wrote before, the visuals minus the CGI are really solid, the two lead performances are really good, and thankfully you do really like these two main characters, the bond they have with each other and you root for them so that's definitely a plus. I really did enjoy the opening scene in this movie, thought it was really well done, and for me the opening was the only attempt at horror that worked for me, and I did find it creepy. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but the 3D for this movie was actually really good, and definitely added to some of the scenes. The 3D definitely caught me off guard in certain scenes, and I actually think I would have like this movie less had I not seen this in 3D which I never say about a movie. So believe it or not, if you're going to see this movie, I definitely suggest you see it in 3D format. However, even if this movie is based off a old children fairy tale, definitely don't take little kids to see this film because it's insanely gory. In fact the blood in this movie was so over the top at times, that I literally said to my mom, one of the people I saw it with, that I felt like I was watching a Final Destination movie. Which could be a good thing, because despite how awful some of those movies are, they can be really creative when it comes to death scenes, but by this point it's already like "uggh I've seen that before in other movies, and I can't even say I enjoyed them in those other movies." 

Overall, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is definitely your typical January film. It's got some really enjoyable moments in it, but it's brought down by a poor script, unbalance tone, mediocre acting minus the two leads, bad shaky cam, some really dull moments, and just some really goofy CGI. Again it's really not a terrible movie, it's definitely enjoyable in parts, and I wouldn't really say it's 11% bad which is the rating that it has on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's just not a good movie either. But, the film is just either too over the top in one moment, or it's taking itself to seriously in another moment. I can't really suggest that you see this in theaters, I would wait for the rental, but if you were really excited for this movie which I know a lot of people were, than I definitely recommened you see this in 3D, if you see this in theaters, because I think that would be the best and most fun way to see this movie. And I would say I enjoyed this a little more than I enjoyed Broken City, even if you really can't compare the two. 2.5/5! 

FINAL LETTER GRADE: C+, 5.5/10

Silver Linings Playbook Movie Review

I'll admit this right now, this was my third time seeing this movie and the more I see it, I love it more and more. This is my favorite film that came out in 2012. Silver Linings Playbook is a masterpiece of a dramedy or whatever you want to call it. It's perfection from the writting, characters, story telling, direction by David O. Russell, and of course the amazing performances by the entire cast. It's one of the most unique, wonderful, and beautiful movies I've seen in recent years, and I can go on and on about it for hours.

Silver Linings Playbook centers around Pat Jr. (played by Bradley Cooper), who in the opening scene of the movie is shown in a mental hospital where he has been stuck in for eight months of treatment after catching his wife Nikki (played by Brea Bee) with another man who he than give a deserving beatdown to, and since than has been diagnose with bipolar disorder. He's picked up by his mother, Dolores Solitano (played by Jacki Weaver) at the hospital and is taken back to their home in Philadelphia where he will be living with his mother, and father, Pat Sr. (played by the legendary Robert DeNiro). His father has OCD and a die-hard passion for the Philadelphia Eagles. While home, Pat is determined to get back into shape, and reunite with his wife, but has to keep away for a while due to a restraining order she has from him. Everyone around him including his family and friends just want him to move on from Nikki, but Pat is 100% sure that him and Nikki belong together and that he will win her back. However, fortunately one night at dinner at his friend's Ronnie's (played by John Oritz) house, he meets Tiffany (played by the amazing Jennifer Lawrence), a woman who just lost her husband and job a few months ago, and he realizes this woman is just as crazy if not more as he is. From there on, Pat and Tiffany create a nice bond, and Tiffany offers to help Pat get his wife back if he in returns helps her compete in a dance contest. But, of course are they going to fall for each other, and will they become more than friends? Might sound like anyother romantic comedy, but trust me it's a rom-com mix with lots of drama that you haven't seen before.

Every single performance in this movie is nothing short of perfection. Bradley Cooper hands down gives the performance of his career as Pat. He nails down all of the complex elements of this character, but at the same time gives the character much needed likeabilty and deep down you know this guy is a good hearted guy and you're rooting for him to get better and fight the issues he's going through. Thank you Academy for giving Bradley Cooper a much deserving Oscar nomination for Best Actor. I won't complain at all if he ends up winning. Robert DeNiro has always been one of my favorite actor of all-time, but lately I think we can all admit, he has been in some mediocre to crappy movies (*cough* Little Fockers), but I'm here to tell you Robert DeNiro shows why he became such a star in the first place, delivering his best and most natural performance in years. He literally almost brought me to tears in two scenes and if you've seen the movie you probably know which two scenes I'm talking about. His performance reminds me a lot of Nick Nolte's performance in 2011's Warrior which was also a great performance. Thank You Academy for also giving Mr. DeNiro a much deservsing Oscar nomination. But, despite those two amazing performances, the big scene stealer here is Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany. She is a complete knockout in this movie, every single scene she's in. Just the way she delivers her dialogue, espeically a scene that involves her and Bradley Cooper in a diner. Like Cooper, she's a very complex character, and at first for many people she'll be hard to like, but she plays it so well, and at times she's just so funny and witty that even at her most unlikeable moments, it's hard to not like her. Between Lawrence and Jessica Chastain, I can't decide which one should win Best Actress because they both give equally great performances and in different ways in my opinion. Both are definitely two of the best actresses out there right now, and I have a crush on both of them so I'm okay with either winning the award. And the chemistry between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper is absoulte perfection, and just engaging. They're so much fun to watch on screen together, they have lots of great banter, and you can just see how well these two crazy people just match so well together. You also have an excellent supporting cast in, Jacki Weaver, John Oritiz, Julia Stiles, and Dash Mihok. However the biggest surprise is, Chris Tucker as Danny, Pat's best friend from the mental hospital, who surprisngly delivers a small, but otherwise great performance. He's equally funny and heartfelt, and is one of my favorite characters in this movie. This was probably the best I've ever seen Chris Tucker. For once he's not playing a character that feels too over the top or stereotypical, he's a genuine and charming character who I honestly wouldn't have mind seeing more of. There is not one weak link in the entire cast. 

The film's directed by David O. Russell who directed The Fighter back in 2010 with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, which was a great freaking movie, but after seeing this movie I can officially say this is my favorite of his. And I can offically say, even only seeing two of his movies, he's now one of my favorite directors. Something I love so much about Russell as a director, is just how he always manages to get so many great performances from all of his actors. The Fighter was a film that worked so well due to the amazing performances from it's entire cast, most notably Christian Bale (best performance yet probably), and Melissa Leo, who both won Oscars for their roles and both were much deserved. Here, in Silver Linings Playbook it's no different. But, not only that, he gives both movies such a realistic feel to them, and you actually believe everything that's going on. Like the plot for this movie could easily go so wrong, and be just like everyother romantic comedy you've seen before, but here he creates such a powerful script and dialogue that feels really real. The converstations between all of the characters felt so natural, to the point where you almost forget you're watching a movie, and some of the dialogue these characters come up with are just so classic. It's definitely one of those movies where you don't know what the character is going to say next. And, when they finally do say it, it just left me a grin on my face. While to be honest, I was grinning like an idiot throughout this entire movie. And O. Russell gives the perfect balance of comedy, drama, and romance, without the film ever feeling unbalanced, or forced down your throat. One minute you'll most likely be nearly in tears, and the next minute, you'll be close to dying of laughter. My favorite scenes in the movie without spoilling anything takes place in a diner, and the other scene is a scene that starts out almost heartbreaking, and then when Jennifer Lawrence pops up, the scene becomes a comedy, and any tear you might have shred will be gone. Of course, the film is based off a book, by the same title, so I guess some of the credit could go to the book as well. But, David O. Russell deserved the Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay nod 100%, and I honestly hope he wins both. 

Alot of people have been complaining about the ending, and lots of things about it, and after seeing it three times, I still can't quite understand why. I think the film ends on a perfect, and unlike a lot of people, I don't think it takes away from the realistic factor at all. I think the ending also shows how well each of these characters developed more and more throughout the movie, and in the end I felt that everything in the movie was tied together in the best way possible. I pick up on more things the more I see the movie, even the smallest elements. But, I can't go too much in detail of the ending without spoilling to much. 

To keep it short, I suggest you go out and see Silver Linings Playbook, right away, and right now, if you still have yet to see it. It's hands down my favorite movie of 2012, and I'd see it for a fourth time if I could. From the acting, writting, directing, story, and everything else this movie is perfection. It's heartfelt, emotional, funny, unique, realistic, releatable, charming, almost hard to watch though at times due to how complex it can get, and in the end it's movies like Silver Linings Playbook is the reason why I go to the movies. It's got characters I can easily get into, a romance that I can actually buy, and family drama I can buy. I can't say it enough that it's my favorite movie of 2012, and I honestly have no problems with it. It's paced brillantly, acted brilliantly, and it is sure a classic in the makings. It deserves all eight of the Oscar nominations it received especially all 4 of the acting nominations which hasn't happened to a movie in years, and I would love to see this movie win Best Picture, and if by some miracle that happens, I would send a big thank you note or never say anything bad about the Academy Awards again in the future. But, they'll be safe and predictable, by giving the BP nod to undeserving Lincoln :(. Again, I can go on and on about this movie, but you just need to go out and see it if you haven't yet, that's my obvious answer to you. 5/5!

FINAL RATING: A (that's my highest letter grade), 10/10

       

Broken City Movie Review

Believe it or not, I was one of the few people somewhat looking forward to Broken City. It had a very talented cast, including Russell Crowe in a villain type role, and a interesting plot even if it's not one we haven't seen before. And the trailer looked really cool and suspenseful. So to me it had all of the potential for a great or at least a good thriller, the only negative aspect was the January release, which we all know can be a bad sign, but hollywood I feel has put out better movies in January in the last two years. So does Broken City live up to its full potential and better than your average January movies? Eh no. Is it a terrible movie? Definitely not, but it is exactly your typical January movie: Cliched, generic, and very poor scripted. You can predict the freaking ending from the trailers. But there are some pluses to it.

For one, the performances here are all really solid for the most part and they all really fit their roles. Russell Crowe is a lot of fun as the shady Mayor of NYC, and does a decent job in my opinion with the New York accent. It's a different role than he usually plays, you can definitely tell he's having fun playing the character, and he's overall probably the best thing about the movie. Unfortunately his character just isn't all that well written which definitely fits this entire movie. Mark Wahlberg definitely gives a decent performance with weak material he's given, and he definitely fits the role well, but it's basically the same role he's always playing. I really like the supporting cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Kyle Chandler, and Barry Pepper, they all give good performances, and some even bring some decent comic relief. Catherine Zeta-Jones on the other hand is completely wasted and her role almost feels like a cameo which is a shame because the trailers make it seem like she has a huge part in the movie, but watching the film it doesn't seem like that at all. I mean she plays overall an important part to the story, but she's so underdeveloped and she has probably like four scenes total and her scenes don't even seem like three minutes. It almost felt like she didn't even need to be in this movie, her only purpose was to look good, which as a guy I can admit she definitely does look good, but you can really put any talented, and attractive actress in that role. And everyone else in the movie they do an okay job, but none of them are worth talking about.

As for other positives I can give this movie is that it is well directed for the most part. Director Allen Hughes definitely gives the movie a nice look and feel to it, it's well shot and I love all the setting they use for New York City. They're are some decent action scenes here and there which really surprised me, and there's a fun chase sequence towards the middle act of the movie. And for the most part I was never really bored with this movie like I wasn't sitting there like "oh my god this is soooo boring, I want to leave." So it had entertaining factors to it for sure. But, yeah that's about it for positives.

This really could have been a good movie, it really could have been, there's lots of potential in this movie. But the script for this movie is just so poorly written, everything about it just falls so flat and it's so one note. And some of the dialogue in this movie is just so laughable, and what makes it even worse is the movie tries to make it seem so clever, but it's not and most of the attempt of humor just falls flat and doesn't work. And the trailers make it seem like the movie is going to be full of twist and turns, which I'm all for, and you would think with this cast behind it, you'll get a suspenseful edgy type thriller. But, it's not like that at all, everything's predictable, you've seen this before in other movies, and it all feels generic. I honestly think this movie felt really safe, and not edgy enough, like everything was too simple, and I was never asking myself questions because I knew exactly how everything was going to turn out. There's also some subplots in the movie that feel completely useless. Like there's this relationship between Mark Wahlberg and his girlfriend and how she's an actress and is getting her first big role, and this story honestly goes absoutely no where. I was constantly asking myself why was the girlfriend in the movie like what purprose does she and her lazy storyline have to do with the overall movie. It's 15 mintues of screentime basically that could have been given to more intereactions between Crowe and Wahlberg, and more development to Zeta Jones's character. She was good looking that's the one plus I'll give that storyline. There's also another storyline between Wahlberg and his good looking female assistant, which also goes nowhere. And the pacing for this movie is a bit off, like I was actually really enjoying the first half of this movie because it was moving along really well, and very interesting, but than it completely loses steam in the second act where it becomes even more generic than it already was which really disappointed me. And what also really disappointed me about this movie was the way it concluded which felt so anti-climatic especially right after it had a good build-up to it. The movie just ends, and the ending just felt so cheap. Like that's it? Exactly what I was thinking after it ended. Goes back to what I was saying on how the movie wasn't edgy or suspenseful enough.

So all in all, Broken City is a very disappointing movie. It's not awful, or terrible I'd say, but it doesn't deliver any of the potential that it has to be a great thriller considering the talented cast behind it. It's definitely your typical January movie that is cliched, generic, and just very forgettable and average. By a few weeks from now, I can assure you no one will remember this movie. It's entertaining for the most part, but the script is so poorly written, the characters are all one-note, everything is predictable, and a lot of the actors in this movie aren't used to their full potential. Heck even Russell Crowe, is underdeveloped as the antagonist of this movie, and it feels like there's like a 20-25 mintue at least portion in the movie where he doesn't show up at all. Again it's not a terrible movie, but it's really not a good one either. If you're a fan of the cast maybe check out the matinee, but I think this movie will work best as a rental for sure. Welcome back mediocre January movies. I'll give Broken City a C+ (2.5/5)!

FINAL RATING: C+, 5/10