I'd heard a lot beforehand about this remake of the Michael Winner/Charles Bronson flick from Eli Roth being really, really bad, but I was delighted to find out that this is actually a really strong film, so my advice is to ignore the naysayers. I believe most of the criticism comes from the fact that audiences have fallen out of love with straight thrillers and now prefer thosefilms with sci-fi or superhero elements. Certainly this is Roth's strongest film since HOSTEL and up there with the quality of the Bronson original.
Bruce Willis is the new lead, appearing to be making an effort for once in his acting. He plays a surgeon who is gradually drawn into a vigilante world after the brutal slaying of his wife during a burglary. The film's first half is all character-based slow burn and surprisingly gripping; action dominates in the second half and it's often gruesome, which comes as no surprise given Roth's horror background. The revenge plot is hackneyed but as satisfying as ever and there's suspense to go with the chaos. The cast is well chosen too, with dogged Dean Norris as the cop and Vincent D'Onofrio relishing the opportunity not to play a bad guy for once.
Bruce Willis is the new lead, appearing to be making an effort for once in his acting. He plays a surgeon who is gradually drawn into a vigilante world after the brutal slaying of his wife during a burglary. The film's first half is all character-based slow burn and surprisingly gripping; action dominates in the second half and it's often gruesome, which comes as no surprise given Roth's horror background. The revenge plot is hackneyed but as satisfying as ever and there's suspense to go with the chaos. The cast is well chosen too, with dogged Dean Norris as the cop and Vincent D'Onofrio relishing the opportunity not to play a bad guy for once.