Dead Man Down(2013 - March 8)
Action | Crime | Drama
1 hr. 58 min.
Rated: R Violence, harsh language throughout including the F and a scene of sexuality
Grade: C+
Director: Niels Arden Oplev
Writer: J.H. Wyman (screenplay)
Stars: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Dominic Cooper | See full cast and crew
Director Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) makes his eagerly anticipated English-language-feature debut with this action thriller about a tough New York City enforcer and an alluring blackmailer who both put their lives on the line to seek vengeance against one of the city's most powerful crime bosses. Victor (Colin Farrell) isn't the type of man you want to come knocking at your door. A deadeye who always hits his mark, Victor works for the man who controls New York's entire underworld. But when the ruthless crime lord gives an order that results in the deaths of Victor's right-hand man's wife and daughter, he earns himself a dangerous enemy. Meanwhile, as Victor attempts to identify the unknown figure who's threatening his boss's life, the mysterious Beatrice (Noomi Rapace) ensnares the sleuthing hit man in a dangerous web of blackmail and seduction. Later, when the bullets start to fly, the lust for vengeance threatens to consume everyone involved. Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Dead Man Down is an international collaboration with and is an example of 'diversity'. The director is Danish, the principal stars are Irish, Swedish (via Iceland), British, French and American. The theory of diversity is to benefit the whole from the culture and experiences of the individual. The problem is that in practice it waters down everything to the lowest common denominator and actually erodes and dilutes the cultural heritages that it promises to preserve taking what is colorful and making it all beige.
Unfortunately the end result of the international team behind Dead Man Down also resulted in a beige action drama. It's not bad but its not good either, despite the performances of some very talented actors.
The writing and the direction are probably equally responsible for the problems with this film. There are several good moments in Dead Man Down but the links between them are weak. I lived a long time in Manhattan and I had a hard time believing that the blazing guns and mayhem on the streets of New York would play out like they do in the film. I have to assume a lack of familiarity with the city on the part of the writer and director has left them with cliched stereotypes that they have incorporated into the characters and the plot.
The film's focus is really more on the betrayal, revenge and motive aspects of the characters than the anything else. There is a little romance thrown in for good measure. If you just sit back and roll with it...Dead Man Down can be enjoyable if you are into action/crime dramas. I would have enjoyed it a whole lot better without all the profanity.
Behind the scenes with Danish director Niels Arden Oplev.
Cast
Victor Beatrice
Gregor Valentine Louzon
Darcy Alphonse
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