Film Review: THE DOUBLE (2011)

Director: Michael Brandt
Writers: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas
Running time: 94 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Turkey Release date: 28^th October 2011

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 12^th May 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

A decent espionage thriller is something to behold; the majority of the Bond films are a case in point. This, however, falls into the category of ‘Nice idea that didn’t quite work’. I will keep it briefer than normal because this one is quite easy to sum up, but you don’t escape my very brief summary first.

We begin with a Russian agent, Bozlovski (Tamer Hassan) being smuggled into the US via Mexico. There’s then a plot about a series of seven Russian agents, headed by a character known as Cassius. Six of them were killed by CIA Agent Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere), then Cassuis had mysteriously disappeared. When a US Senator is killed employing methods used by Cassius, alarm bells begin to ring. A young FBI Agent, Ben Geary (Topher Grace) is brought in and paired with Shepherdson, after much protest. They set off to track down Cassius, but he is much closer to home than they think. And just what does Bozlovski have to do with all this?

First off, all the performances were very good; I only wish the same could be said for the script. The plot wanders about; giving away very key information far too early (IMO) and taking all the mystery out of it for me. Yes, there is a twist at the end, but by that time I’m just pissed off with it. It’s well shot with most of the action taking place in and around Washington DC. It was nice to see Martin Sheen as CIA director Tom Highland; although it was kinda odd seeing him in Washington & not being the President. Over all, a film that failed to live up to expectations; I know which direction I would have taken it in and that would have been a much better story.

SteelMonster’s verdict: NOT RECOMMENDED

My score: 5.7/10.

IMDb Score: 5.9/10 (based on 14,282 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646980/

MetaScore: 37/100: (Based on 20 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 20/100 (based on 45 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 38/100 (based on 4,104 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_double_2011/

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Bozlovski: [whispering in Spanish] Better you forget them. You didn't see anything.

Paul Shepherdson: If the Russians used their women instead of missiles, we'd be wearing furry hats right now.

Ben Geary: You’re gonna “shoot her in the head”?
Paul Shepherdson: Just making a connection.

Martin Miller: [about Bozlovski] This guy has used every single weapon you can think of. From an M-24 from 800 meters, to a rusty nail.

[last lines]
Tom Highland: Ben, would you consider working for us?
Ben Geary: [stunned]
Tom Highland: Think about it...

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.thedoublemovie.com/
Trailer: (Sorry if it gives too much away)

Film Review: PREDATORS (2010) [REWATCH]

Director: Nimród Antal
Running time: 103 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 8^th July 2010

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 12^th June 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having seen this at the cinema almost a year ago it finally arrived on in the TV schedules. Since I quite enjoyed it first time around I thought I’d give it a second look. Below is pretty much my original review with just a couple of adjustments and a slightly revised score. On second viewing it didn’t quite have the impact it did first time around, but it was still entertaining where it needed to be and I finally figured out just what Noland added to the plot.

The film opens with a man dressed in battle fatigues falling, he is unconscious, but comes round. Shortly before impact with the jungle covered ground below a parachute opens, but he still lands with a bone-crunching thud. Others land around him and are, at first, aggressive towards each other until the first one persuades them it would be better to band together. They are all from the less desirable side of the tracks, there’s a mercenary, a convict, a sniper from Guatemala, a yakuza, a freedom fighter from Chechnya, a kidnapper, a religious fighter and a doctor. It soon becomes apparent that they are not on Earth and that they are being hunted by an unseen enemy. One by one they are eliminated by this foe. Eventually a plan is formed to defeat them and get off this planet.

Very reminiscent of the original film, Predator (1987) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, but maybe without the same impact. All very well done with some excellent special effects and CGI. Decent performances from all involved. Honourable mentions go to, Adrien Brody as Royce, Topher Grace as Edwin, Alice Braga as Isabelle, Walton Goggins as Stans, Oleg Taktarov as Nikolai, a nice cameo from Laurence Fishburne as Noland, Danny Trejo as Cuchillo, Louis Ozawa Changchien as Hanzo and Mahershalalhashbaz Ali as Mombasa.

Although not as good as the 1987 original, I quite enjoyed this reboot. Having seen several films featuring the Predators since then, they don’t have the fright factor they used to. But it was an entertaining film with some great action sequences and a nice twist at the end. It’s not the best film in the world, but over all recommended for those who like this sort of thing (I did). Oh, and it ends wide open for a sequel.

My score: 7.1/10

LINKS:
(RT=Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1424381/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10012256-predators/
Official Site: http://www.predators-movie.com/
Trailer: