Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
For what it is, it works - John Cena in "The Marine", January 31, 2007
I think a lot of people went into this expecting something else. What I mean is, even from the previews I think most people could tell this was probably some semi-suspenseful, super action film that ultimately served as much cheese as it did champion effort. What is perfect about "The Marine" is that it takes nearly every cliché's moment that we've seen in films of its kind over the years, and makes fun of it. A villain being chased in the swamp puts his partner on hold so he can take a call from his cable TV rep, or how many times a guy can really get punched, stabbed, shot at, burned and beaten with a hammer, chainsaw, log, axe handle and wrench before going down, only to come back one more time. If you like pyrotechnics you will LOVE the marine! I swear, they must have detonated at least 2 counties and a Saturn Factory to produce all these fiery explosions...which of course are the background for John Cena's character to leap at the screen towards us and away from the inferno that "almost" takes his life.
The synopsis is simple, but if you didn't know it, I'll give it to you here now that the smoke has cleared and I've stopped laughing at all the comedy-laden dialogue. Cena Stars as John Triton, a man who disobeys direct orders (oh man isn't that what the A-Team was all about??) and in doing so saves lives of his fellow marines in Iraq. The actions of course get him discharged, whereas of course he takes a job in civilian life. While embarking on a road trip to the mountains (oh here is the spoof for that movie with Kurt Russell called "Breakdown) he and his wife Kate (Kelly Carlson) accidentally encounter a crew of diamond thieves who at the last second, take John's wife as a hostage. And of course, they are in for it then as John takes on a vigilante rage in trying to get his wife back alive.
Deliverance, The Terminator and The Fugitive are just some of the many movies that I see the funny dialogue and plot portrayed here. Don't worry; there are still lots of action and fun. This isn't like "Scary Movie" done action movie style, but it does at times make you wonder. Perhaps not something I would buy, but with the laughs involved it would be great to watch again with friends.
Robert Patrick also stars, and former Oakland Raider lineman Lincoln Kennedy makes a cameo appearance. Yes that is his real name. Yes I know that both presidents who were assassinated had those names. Please, it's just a fictional movie that takes more shots at the cheese in these types of films than it can actually deliver itself.
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63 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific. A fine example of its genre, October 24, 2006
I am afraid that some reviews I have seen show either an anti-military bias or else expect things of this movie they would not demand of others of its type. The movie is not political in ANY way, but there is a fairly heroic brief starting episode in Iraq; I guess some don't like that.
This is in fact a terrific action/adventure movie in the mold of the Rambo or Schwarzenegger films (eg "Commando") or the Indiana Jones series. The violence is not accurate in depiction of results, but neither is it in any movie where female stars takes full-power strikes and come bouncing back. If reality counted in the movies, there would be no girl-star action movies.
The violence is actually toned down in favor of action. For example, Sgt. Triton chooses to takes out two very tough villains in exciting brawls when he has a good fighting knife with him. Reality would have been different .... and much bloodier. Not much gore or blood in this picture, however, and you can safely take your pre-teen or teen son. Or yourself. My wife liked it, too, for that matter.
The acting was top-drawer within the context of the plot. I never heard of John Cena,so I can't be considered biased. Triton was seen first in front of his commanding officer, then interacting with his wife. He was supposed to be emotionally restrained with his commander, and strong but a little reflective with his wife. He was. Then The Marine had a mission. He had to complete it, not emote and burst into tears. After the adrenalin high wore off, he'd probably start shaking, but while things were going on, he didn't have time to be upset. Man, haven't the sweetie-boys who have panned his acting ever been in a fight? I never heard of the star,but he turned in a very believable good performance for the part. The excellent-looking wife did a fine job as well. No nudity in this movie. Unfortunately.
In sum, a fine example of its type and highly recommended for all. It requires some suspension of belief, but most action movies do. It will grab you hard and keep you watching.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Non-stop action from beginning to end!, January 29, 2008
I was skeptical of this movie featuring a WWE wrestler (WWE wrestlers are notoriously bad actors) and because the movie was produced by the WWE rather a than a major motion picture company. However I was wrong. The movie was full of action and special effects. John Cena did a respectable job acting. The theme and plot were very entertaining, not cheesey or bogus. If you like action movies such as "Arnold" movies or Rambo movies then you will very much enjoy this movie!
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