First, a small clarification to avoid confusion (especially mine): In a couple of months we see Dwayne Johnson in Fast Five, the fifth film in the blockbuster franchise The Fast and the Furious , which will surely lead fast cars and take full advantage its image as "tough guy." But before that we see on the tape Faster (in Mexico titled "Revenge Lethal ) driving fast cars and exploiting their image of" tough guy. " Who knows why this player would choose to make two films so close and so similar in title and themes, but ... at least Lethal Revenge seemed entertaining enough to spend a pleasant time full of drama and violence, though free of narrative innovation. We'll see if Fast Five can achieve the same. Already we will learn in a few months, for the moment let us focus on Lethal Revenge. As you describe your title, the plot follows the dizzying cross the expert driver (Dwayne Johnson), fresh out of prison after serving ten years for participation as a driver in a bank robbery. Then, without missing a beat, begins his mission of vengeance against those deemed responsible for the death of his brother. Knowing that this would happen, a mysterious figure hires a ruthless hired Murderer (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), to remove the driver. And, of course, corpses and destruction they leave behind both the attention of the Police (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner Cicero (Carla Gugino), who discover unexpected connections between the newly killed.
There is nothing innovative in Lethal Revenge , but director George Tillman, Jr. takes this lack of originality to convert the tape to a clever homage to cinema exploitation and revenge that was so popular in the seventies . The protagonists do not even have names, and are identified by their role in the plot: driver, police, murderer ... not necessary to know more about them. But the writers Tony and Joe Gayton beyond this simplification by introducing interesting and even contradictory aspects of the characters, raising the film above simple thriller that could have been. For starters, the driver does not delight in the death of their enemies, thanks to the strong (and almost mute) interpretation of Dwayne Johnson is clear that the player only does his duty to honor the memory of his dead brother, and in fact no pleasure in revenge. We may never win an Oscar, but in recent years Johnson has shown unusual range in all types of films, from comedy to action, and although their projects may not always be good (does anyone said "Tooth Fairy" ?) I'm sure it can tackle almost any role with aplomb and credibility that few "stars" they have.
For its part, the Police played by Billy Bob Thornton is corrupt, drug addict, divorced, classic archetype "noir." But their attempts to redeem himself in the eyes of your child feels honest, and what could have been a living cliché becomes a real person trying to overcome the defect to restore the fragments of his nearly extinct dignity. Finally, we have Oliver Jackson-Cohen (for a moment I thought it was Jake Gyllenhaal) and the Murderer, seemingly cold, but with turbulent emotions inside. At first it seems the typical British thug, sophisticated and impassive, but surprises us with its unusual past, their reasons for entering the profession of hired murderer, and his warm relationship with the beautiful Lily (Maggie Grace ), not to mention their conversations with a psychiatrist who recommended better balance the different elements of your life. Rounding out the cast we have the always reliable Carla Gugino as the shrewd detective who sniffs something hidden behind the killings, to Jennifer Carpenter as a woman with mysterious ties to the driver, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in the short but juicy role of ex-felon with genuine intentions to purge past crimes.
To enjoy Lethal Revenge should not expect a band of ridiculous action, or inhuman stunts or car chases tremendous (well, there is one in a Chevelle SS and Ferrari 360, but is relatively short and no strikes). What the film offers a couple of interesting characters, dynamic leadership and performance slightly higher than the generic detective films we've seen in recent years. Also please the fans of exploitation cinema that is open to the experience of seeing a modern re-interpretation of the genre, maybe less raw than its predecessors, but with the same intentions to appeal to our love for the cathartic violence and anti-heroes do not lose their humanity among all the drama. I did not expect this from George Tillman, Jr., a director most famous for his films rapper , but thank you for having ventured into new territory. Hollywood hopefully take it into account for future projects more high profile. Who knows? Perhaps it could even lead The Fast and the Furious 12: Out of Gas .
Rating: 7
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