Vigilantism is wrong, but it feels right if you're in a movie
Added 11/19/2009
Nobdody wins a gang war, but audiences can win with ultraviolent revenge fantasies
Death Sentence tells the story of Nick Hume, a successful insurance adjuster who, following the cold blooded murder of his son by lunatic gang members, takes the law into his own hands as a vigilante. His enemies are a gang led by Billy Darley, a vicious figure who commands a motley crew of cretins in some unnamed American city. It was filmed in Columbia, South Carolina...but I don't recall them ever mentioning it by name. What difference does it make? It could be any city where, naturally, Hume lives in a nice suburb...the gang inhabits some industrial-ghetto dump...the cops are cynics...and your life can be completely ruined by stopping in the wrong gas station at night. The gang members look like skinhead bikers crossed with urban drug dealers and are not a very likable bunch. They hang out in a very stylized dump-dive-bar with red lighting and a ragged pay phone. They answer to a (randomly cast) sleazy John Goodman, who's very good as the demented scion of the gang.
The plot significantly departs from Brian Garfield's source novel, though the message is about the same: vigilantism is not the answer. Death Sentence (the novel) was the sequel to Death Wish, which had its cinematic run from 1974 to 1994 with five films featuring Charles Bronson as 'mild mannered' architect-turned-urban vigilante Paul Kersey. By the later films, you don't even question it anymore as he orders rocket launchers in the mail and makes booby-trapped wine bottles and soccer ball bombs. Death Sentence was never actually adapted to the screen, since Garfield did not like the Death Wish films, but it didn't matter back then. Death Wish 2 is the cinematic sequel to Death Wish, but is not based on Death Sentence, making this film the first one to be based on Garfield's book. Got it? Except this film has little to no resemblance to the plot points of the book.
Death Sentence focuses on the downward spiral of Nick Hume as his obsession with revenge destroys his family and his being. His enemies finally seem to relish the fact that they've changed him---in a way, they've won. Similar to other revenge flicks, Death Sentence forces one to question who really 'wins' in war.
In a way, by trying to be more than a straight-up homage or return to the Death Wish movies of the 80s, Death Sentence seems a bit confused, delaying the gratification that we know is on the way. The unrated version clocks in at close to two hours, and while it takes a couple of unexpected plot turns...ultimately, it does deliver the kind of Bronson-esque violence we've been waiting for. Despite the message that violence breeds violence and revenge breeds more death and misery...it's hard not to make an exciting vigilante movie where the audience does not root for the hero. Yes, the obsession with revenge destroys people...but it always feels so good (and right) to blast unredeemable criminal scum with a massive firearm.
James Wan employs a similar visual look as he did in Saw: very sharp definition, plenty of music video-atmospheric lighting, and of course the 360-degree spinning camera while rock music plays...this time while Kevin Bacon prepares for his 'war'. The only thing missing, criminally, is a scene of Bacon making or modifying bullets in true Death Wish-style. The climax is pretty ridiculous. Somehow, with his obsession for revenge, Hume becomes a more-than-capable shot, becomes a tough guy, and basically becomes as violent and murderous as his prey...presumably the point. There is an homage to Taxi Driver, subtle only to those who've...never seen Taxi Driver. The shaved head...the fingers blown off...the shot in the neck...yes, it's Travis Bickle all over again. Kevin Bacon is very good, his transformation from mild-mannered executive to angel of death complete with sunken eyes, grim expression, bald dome, and double barreled shotgun. Since he does not appear to age, Bacon still looks pretty beaten down by the end, a coup for the makeup department.
The DVD looks and sound great, featuring both the theatrical version and the unrated version. Presumably, the unrated version is the 'director's cut', of sorts...though these days, there always seems to be a director's cut above and beyond the unrated versions. I don't expect that they've cut anything that might reveal the secrets of life. The violence is bloody, for sure...the bad guys are pretty awful human beings, and few in the audience will have a problem when they get blown away.
Recommended for revenge/vigilante genre fans, Brian Garfield fans, and curiosity seekers. Some very good scenes, a bit too long at times, but trying to elevate itself above the usual fare (the bad/good bad Death Wish sequels).
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
One of my all time favorite movies
Added 10/26/2009
Kevin Bacon is the man...this movie is full of non stop action and will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through...highly recommended
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Rocking awesome performance by actor Kevin Bacon!
Want to see how one man takes out a gang of murderers, watch this movie!
I wonder how the cops in the movie could act so heartless and useless,
forcing the victim (Kevin Bacon's character) to seek out justice
on his own.
Recommended watching:
Rambo - The Complete Collector's Set (First Blood - Ultimate Edition / Rambo - First Blood Part II - Ultimate Edition / Rambo III - Ultimate Edition / John Rambo - Special Edition)
The Punisher (Extended Cut)
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Death Wish...er...Sentence.
Added 9/10/2009
Death Sentence was a rocking good time, especially for revenge thriller aficionados, but there were times when it felt as though James Wan was holding back, unsure of how far to push and who exactly he was making this for, adults or teens. Thrillers like this need to be ruthless, controversial and unflinching; a filmmaker should be willing to show that drug usage, head shot or semi-naked prostitute. I mean can you imagine Death Wish or Thriller - A Cruel Picture without the nudity, violence and drugs? Wan certainly offered a healthy dose of gruesome violence but I couldn't help but feel disappointed and robbed toward the final quarter of the movie. It started feeling very "Hollywood As Usual" like most films do these days.
The acting, choreography, cinematography and FX (read: gore) were all well done but ultimately this film never reaches for anything other than forgettable popcorn entertainment for violence junkies and revenge thriller enthusiasts.
Death Sentence really was fun to watch but I'm still hung up on what I feel could have been serious cinematic mayhem. Instead of taking its place amongst the greatest revenge thrillers of our time, it's just another paint-by-numbers affair with some hoot worthy carnage. Without a doubt this is entertaining enough to keep your interest and definitely good for a party flick.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
I enjoyed this movie.
Added 9/4/2009
This movie was pretty good. I never heard of it until I saw a preview on another DVD I purchased.
Full of action and keeps you cheering for the good guys.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
