Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Revenge and other forms of Madness, January 12, 2008
DEATH SENTENCE is a tough movie to watch, not because it is a poorly made film, but because of the degree of violence that, once started, is mayhem on a roller coaster ride. Though based on a novel by Brian Garfield, the script by Ian Jeffers is a patchwork quilt - the holes show whenever the police arrive on the scene. James Wan, of the 'Saw' movies fame, directs with a keen eye for breathless action sequences and almost intolerable suspense timing that makes the film fly through the 111 minutes of the Unrated version.
During the opening credits we are introduced to the perfect family via home movies and domestic scenes: Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is the devoted father, Helen (Kelly Preston) his bright and loving wife, Brendan (Stuart Lafferty) is the golden boy son with all the hockey laurels, and Lucas (Jordan Garrett) the younger 'also ran' son. The glitch in this family's happiness happens one night when, out of gas while driving home from a hockey game, Nick stops at a gas station and while Brendan is in the convenience store a gang comes in and murders the store owner and Brendan: the reason for the killing is not robbery but an initiation rite into a gang accomplished by young Joe Darley (Matt O'Leary) and the demand of his older brother Billy (Garrett Hedlund, in a very out of character role from his usual 'Troy', 'Friday Night Lights', 'Eragon', 'Georgia Rule' persona). Nick witnesses the killing and when the lawyers and police work with him in the aftermath to 'arrange a deal' instead of a murder trial, Nick decides to take matters in hi s own hands.
The Darley brothers are part of a ruthless gang sponsored by their own father Bones Darley (John Goodman, in a very dark and well-realized role). Nick stalks Joe Darley and murders him, and once the deed (that happens to begin a gang war against Nick) is done the terror begins. The gang is out to kill not only Nick but Nick's family also. How this pursued and pursuers game works out furnishes the remainder of the film. It is the old eye for an eye story that ends in tragedy for everyone concerned.
When the film is dealing with the 'family' and the 'gang' the dialog sparkles, but when the police, headed by Detective Wallis (Aisha Tyler), become involved the aid from the police becomes as ludicrous as the dialog placed in their mouths. Kevin Bacon gives a bravura performance as the gentle father driven to murderous madness and Garrett Hedlund matches him as the ruthless and terrifying gang leader Billy. There are enough sidebars about father/son relationships on both sides of the plot line to make the movie have a message. But in the end it is the wildly frantic camera action and directorial decisions by Wan that make this a horrifying and arresting film. Not for the queasy viewer. Grady Harp, January 08
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I don't agree with the critics on this one, December 21, 2007
I usually agree with the mainstream critics about movies, for the most part. However, this movie, like the 1st Saw film, is a major exception. If you are looking for a best picture candidate, you will not find it here. However, it is a very entertaining, engrossing movie that will probably not appeal to the squeamish. The movie fits right into the Parent Revenge mold quite well. The oldest son is killed by gang. Dad avenges death. Gang fights back. Dad goes crazy and kills gang members, before the whole thing culminates in a final shootout full of graphic carnage. If you are looking for an insane action movie, this isn't quite it. In particular, the first half is very deliberate in trying to convey Bacon as a real guy, trying to avoid violence, but ultimately succumbing to it. I found this journey that he takes to be quite believe, up until a scene near the end in a hospital in which he turns into Rambo. Rather than being moving, it is slightly laughable. Then the movie turns into a straightforward, albeit very well shot, action flick full of gore and carnage. Many critics bashed the film for it's hypocrisy in having the movie condemn violence while later depicting it in stylish, perversely entertaining detail. However, I think this was justified by a gang leaders quote at near the end of the film. "Look at you," he says to Bacon. "You've turned into one of us." The man is right. The gang leaders have slit throats and shot heads. But so has Bacon. He is a lesser of two evils to be sure, but an evil none the less. While this may be a cheap attempt by the director the make the film more serious, it does work. It is true that Bacon has transformed into a kind of monster. I give great credit to Bacon's performance, along with almost ever other actor. If a dark, violent, disturbing movie is what you are in the mood for this weekend, skip Halloween, and go see this.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic cliches and mixed messages, but great for a dark mood., December 22, 2007
After watching this you may feel a little distant and on edge. It isn't a simple 'revenge' theme. The message may be that the cost of 'justice' can be higher than the cost of the injustice, and in the end you can't make it all come out equal. But the message seems secondary to what I liked about this film.
Cliche's become fresh again if they are done well. The scenes of violence taken independently are well composed. The acting is all well done, but you must also really give credit to good music scores and the cinematography for making it work.
A brief list of movie points (without giving anything away):
Casting is very well done, especially with Goodman and the bad guys. Bacon is a great choice as he can play the family man, victim, and psycho all very well.
The beginning tries to establish the characters to build empathy for their later duress. This is standard, necessary, but a little sappy - so don't get too critical.
The buildup for the first violent scene is excellent as you scream at Bacon to open his eyes to where he is and what is going down (classic horror).
The 'bad guys' hang out is introduced to the sound of Jimi Hendrix, and they are very well casted as dudes you do not want to ### with.
John Goodman is simply outstanding in his role and acting.
The first revenge scene is very believable in how it happens.
The 'bad guys' are shown as having emotions and intellect, not just as dehumanized thugs, + the balls to whack you at your favorite Starbucks at noon (there's no Starbucks in the movie, just making a point).
The 'Rambo' part of the film fullfills it's brutal purpose with a neat change in filming.
The end scene gives a tribute to Robert De Niro's early work in Taxi Driver.
You will probably be left with a dark alienated mood not a clear simple message. So watch it for the mood, not a message.
"2 thumbs up"
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