A man who has planned a extensive revenge plan finds himself running out of time and his preparation maybe foiled. Things are further complicated when his masquerade could be blown by a blackmailing woman who wants him to kill for her.
The characters are well written by J.H. Wyman, the film revolves around the mob but on a smaller scale which gives an added realism to the twist and turns of the events. It's well shot by Niels Arden Oplev, the city seeps atmosphere it has that on location feel, the lighting is as shadowy as some of the characters.
Colin Farrell is excellent as the father out for retribution, however, it works on a subtler level as he infiltrates the gang and this is further complicated as he is blackmailed to take another job. It's not just another man out for vengeance you really feel for the man. Noomi Rapace plays Beatrice a woman out for revenge after her face was left disfigured, Rapace and Farrell have good chemistry and some strong emotional scenes. Both Dominic Cooper and Terrence Howard are on impressive form. Armand Assante and F. Murray Abraham cameo and leave an impression in their key roles.
Wyman delivers a multi layered engaging story with a few twists (one of which is genuinely surprising), this coupled with Oplev's eye for detail and exploit ensures an above average thriller. However, the climatic showdown is unnecessary and feels thrown in to appease action fans, however, the closing brings it back down to earth. That said, the stunts and the few action scenes littered throughout are finely executed.
Like both Snitch (2013) and The Town (2010) which appear to have been sold as actions are actually entertaining quality driven character thrillers - only Oplev's offering has debatably a more intricate story.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel but Dead Man Down is an underrated multifaceted revenge thriller - one of those surprising overlooked little gems.
The characters are well written by J.H. Wyman, the film revolves around the mob but on a smaller scale which gives an added realism to the twist and turns of the events. It's well shot by Niels Arden Oplev, the city seeps atmosphere it has that on location feel, the lighting is as shadowy as some of the characters.
Colin Farrell is excellent as the father out for retribution, however, it works on a subtler level as he infiltrates the gang and this is further complicated as he is blackmailed to take another job. It's not just another man out for vengeance you really feel for the man. Noomi Rapace plays Beatrice a woman out for revenge after her face was left disfigured, Rapace and Farrell have good chemistry and some strong emotional scenes. Both Dominic Cooper and Terrence Howard are on impressive form. Armand Assante and F. Murray Abraham cameo and leave an impression in their key roles.
Wyman delivers a multi layered engaging story with a few twists (one of which is genuinely surprising), this coupled with Oplev's eye for detail and exploit ensures an above average thriller. However, the climatic showdown is unnecessary and feels thrown in to appease action fans, however, the closing brings it back down to earth. That said, the stunts and the few action scenes littered throughout are finely executed.
Like both Snitch (2013) and The Town (2010) which appear to have been sold as actions are actually entertaining quality driven character thrillers - only Oplev's offering has debatably a more intricate story.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel but Dead Man Down is an underrated multifaceted revenge thriller - one of those surprising overlooked little gems.