On Saturday my wife and I had a night out at the theatre. I knew her choice of movie would be down to two of the new releases this weekend. When she gave me that blood crazed look, I knew which tickets to buy. At the 7:40 showing Saturday night, we sat in the upper right corner of a crowded large viewing room and watched Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Colm Meaney (two to beam up Mr. O’Brien), and others in the action packed Law Abiding Citizen.
The movie was just the right length (108 min) and right from the opening sequence it draws you in and holds your attention. It is hard, fast, edgy, thoughtful, and action packed. It only slows down to set-up the next punch. It is pulse pounding psychological joy ride that has you (and a large mixed crowd) cheering for the film’s title character: Clyde Shelton.
The film has abysmal ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (24% at the time of this writing, 22% when I checked 24hrs prior), but that is understandably so. The film is in many ways “red meat” and “candy” but those things are just so mmm, mmm good. Look, without giving anything of substance away, the film has 1) high tech killing, 2) low tech killing, 3) self centered “justice” officials getting what they deserve, 4) a hot chick in a pantsuit, 5) a naked Gerard Butler, 6)Jamie Foxx, and 7) von Clausewitz quotes. I could go on, but I think you get the point. Did I mention the film has high tech AND low tech killing? Yeah. It’s true.
But to be fair to the reviewers, the abysmal ratings are due in large to the few plot holes (yes there are a few), and the movies ambiguity of message. In fact I will go so far as to say the movies ratings are a commentary on the larger society as a whole. And not for the reasons the statists, government is right types want to imagine. No in my view people agree with the title characters point of view, possibly not with his actions, but certainly with his point of view. Arguably what the writer of this film missed is the simple fact that when a comedian suggests that 50,000 dead lawyers is a good start the audience almost always laughs and agrees.
If you are looking for “red meat”, “candy”, or just some good ol’ fashioned “a man vs. The Man”, then Law Abiding Citizen is for you.
**Trailer below the fold**