Month: February 2022

Today’s quick review: The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. Freelance car salesman Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) travels around the country with his team (Kathryn Hahn, Ving Rhames, and David Koechner), making the sales that the locals can’t handle. For his latest job, Don and his team are called to Temecula, California, where Ben Selleck (James Brolin) needs to sell over two hundred cars in one weekend to save his struggling dealership.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard is a raunchy comedy about a car salesman whose bold tactics have made him a success at the expense of his personal life. Over the course of a holiday weekend, Don Ready uses every trick in his arsenal to keep Ben’s business alive and prove himself to Ben’s daughter Ivy (Jordana Spiro). The Goods aims to be a boisterous comedy full of outrageous situations and bad decisions, but both its taste and execution fall short.

The Goods aims low with its humor. The jokes are crude and explicit, with questionable content that will make sensitive viewers very uncomfortable. The movie does earn some modest laughs from Don’s slick sales tactics and the sheer audacity of some of its jokes, but the humor is inconsistent. Even when the movie is firing on all cylinders, it never manages to break free of its worst ideas, leaving it a string of hit-or-miss gags and little more.

Nor does The Goods have the story needed to pick up the slack. The movie makes a passing nod at character growth for Don, but it cashes in his personal development for laughs at every opportunity. Normally, this would be a favorable trade for a comedy, letting the film play to its strengths without getting bogged down with drama. But in this case, letting Don’s story play out naturally would have given The Goods some much-needed heart.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard will appeal to fans of a certain style of raunchy, irreverent comedy. To the movie’s credit, it has a talented cast and a script that isn’t afraid to run with even its most ridiculous jokes. For the right viewer, these qualities will make it pure, unadulterated fun. But the movie’s unreliable comedy and minimal amount of story mean that its best features largely go to waste. Most viewers will want to steer clear.

For an underdog sports comedy with similar flaws, try The Benchwarmers. For a comedy that’s as explicit, more violent, and similarly unreliable, try Game Over, Man!. For a comedy that takes the same ridiculousness and puts it to better use, try Dodgeball or Hot Rod. For a more memorable comedy about hedonism and high-pressure sales tactics, try The Wolf of Wall Street.

5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for crude comedy with mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: Hit and Run. When Annie (Kristen Bell) gets offered her dream job, her boyfriend Charlie (Dax Shepard), an ex-criminal in Witness Protection, decides to leave the safety of their small town and go with her to Los Angeles. But before they can get there, Annie’s ex-boyfriend Gil (Michael Rosenbaum) figures out Charlie’s real name and uses it to get in touch with Alexander Dmitri (Bradley Cooper), the man Charlie put behind bars.

Hit and Run is a romantic crime comedy about a reformed criminal whose past catches up with him at the worst possible time. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell star as Charlie and Annie, an idyllic couple on a road trip to start a new life. The only things standing in their way are Charlie’s secrets, Alex and his gang, and a bumbling U.S. Marshal (Tom Arnold) who wants them to stay. The film’s chaotic plot and decent stunts are offset by its hit-or-miss humor.

Hit and Run has two main features going for it: Charlie and Annie’s relationship, and its stunt driving. Charlie and Annie are fine characters on their own, but their relationship is what holds the movie together. Even at their worst, the couple are easy to root for and genuinely seem to make each other happy. Hit and Run also gets good mileage out of its car chases, which are an excuse to show off some impressive vehicles performing in tricky situations.

But Hit and Run misplays its hand when it comes to comedy. The script goes off on odd tangents every few minutes, following its characters down weird conversational rabbit holes that are sometimes charming and sometimes just uncomfortable. The jokes are cruder than they need to be yet lack the punch of good shock humor. To top it all off, the movie tries to juggle the moral high ground between its characters in a way that feels forced.

None of this takes away from a cute relationship and a fairly interesting plot, but it does keep Hit and Run from reaching its full potential. Those who are willing to put up with a few rough patches may want to take a chance on the movie. Though not a standout, Hit and Run does bring something to the table. But viewers who are sensitive to crude humor or simply want something with a tighter script will want to look elsewhere.

For a crime drama about a criminal whose past catches up with him, try A History of Violence. For a budget action movie about a man in Witness Protection, try Fire with Fire. For a crime comedy with sharper writing and an even more chaotic plot, try Burn After Reading. For a more twisted comedy with similar story elements, try 68 Kill.

6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a fine setup held back by a patchy script.

Today’s quick review: Blood Father. John Link (Mel Gibson), an ex-convict and recovering alcoholic, has been trying to pick up the pieces of his life with the help of Kirby (William H. Macy), his sponsor and closest friend. But his quiet lifestyle is thrown into chaos when his runaway daughter Lydia (Erin Moriarty) returns home with a group of cartel killers hot on her heels. Now John must use the skills he thought he put behind him to keep her safe.

Blood Father is a crime thriller about a reformed criminal trying to protect his daughter. Blood Father takes a broken family and puts them through the wringer as Lydia’s irresponsible decisions come back to bite her. The movie has a few bursts of well-placed action, but its chief appeal is seeing John take control of a dire situation. Blood Father does quite a bit with the tools at its disposal, but it’s outclassed by other films with similar premises.

Blood Father has a modest scope, but it handles itself well. The plot revolves around John, Lydia, and the enemies she made by shooting her abusive boyfriend Jonah (Diego Luna). The running themes of overcoming addiction and moving past one’s mistakes give the movie some nice material to work with. And although the relationship between John and Lydia is not as moving as it could have been, John is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her.

All that Blood Father is really missing is the extra push it needs to stand out. What action there is fits the story, and it’s satisfying to see John finally cut loose. But the movie never commits to it, leaving it a step behind the thrillers where action is the main focus. The same goes for its story. Blood Father has an interesting setup and a few good character moments, but it’s missing the fine touch needed to capture the viewer’s emotions.

As such, Blood Father will be a solid pick for those used to budget crime movies and on the thin side for anyone else. Those looking for something quick and sober, with some fine character work, a capable protagonist, and a smattering of action, should look no farther. Those looking for something more substantial, with an expert emotional arc, big stunts, or an elaborate story, will want to steer clear.

For a much gorier action movie with a similar premise, try Rambo: Last Blood. For a tense thriller about a war with a drug cartel, try Sicario. For a lighter crime movie starring Mel Gibson, try Get the Gringo. For a budget action movie that uses a similar premise to less effect, try The Prince. For a deeper dive into drug addiction, try Requiem for a Dream.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a good mix of story and tension.

Today’s quick review: Term Life. Nick Barrow (Vince Vaughn) is a career criminal who plans heists and sells them to other criminals to pull off. He lands in hot water when one of his clients is murdered, putting a vengeful drug lord (Jordi Molla) on his trail. Now Nick must stay off the grid while he looks for the real killer, all while trying to patch up his relationship with his estranged teenage daughter Cate (Hailee Steinfeld).

Term Life is a crime thriller about a professional criminal forced to pick up the pieces of his professional and personal lives in the wake of a job gone wrong. Vince Vaughn stars as Nick Barrow, who must use all his wits to figure out who set him up and why. Term Life combines a crime-genre plot with a personal story about a father regaining the trust of his daughter. In spite of a promising setup, the movie’s execution falls somewhat flat.

Term Life lives and dies with its main character, and unfortunately, Nick Barrow is not quite up to the challenge. The character works fine on paper, a more grounded version of a criminal mastermind who has a sharp mind and a compelling set of problems. However, Vince Vaughn is a rough fit for the role, turning in a dry performance that has none of his usual flair. The result is a movie centered around a character who’s hard to invest in.

Even with this handicap, Term Life makes a good showing of it. The plot progresses quite nicely, with opportunities for Nick to think his way out of trouble, and the finale is about as well-constructed as one could hope for. The relationship between Nick and Cate gets off to a slow start, but it eventually comes into its own as Nick starts to show her the tricks of his trade. Nick even overcomes some of his woodenness as the story goes on.

Term Life is a flawed movie, but it may be worth a shot for fans of the crime genre. Trouble getting Nick out of the starting gate ruins the movie’s chance at having a real impact on the viewer, but it does manage to salvage its story and, to a lesser extent, its characters as the movie goes on. Viewers with exacting standards should stay away. Those willing to overlook Vaughn’s performance for the sake of a crime flick should consider it.

For a more thrilling budget crime movie with a similar setup, try Wheelman. For a more thoughtful drama about a criminal reconnecting with his estranged daughter, try Matchstick Men. For a similar pairing with more distinctive characters, try The Professional. For a comedic heist movie set in a similar world, try The Art of the Steal.

5.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a fine setup let down by a mediocre lead.

Today’s quick review: Haywire. Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is one of the best private operatives in the intelligence business and the only reason her struggling employer Kenneth (Ewan McGregor) still has a company. Hot on the heels of a job in Barcelona, Kenneth convinces her to go to Dublin and work with Paul (Michael Fassbender), a British agent, on an undercover operation. But when the job goes south, Mallory is forced to strike out on her own.

Haywire is an action thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. Gina Carano stars as Mallory Kane, a savvy special operative who finds herself caught in a web of danger and deception. Haywire has a typical thriller setup, but the plot is handled well, Mallory is a capable protagonist, and the movie has a few good twists up its sleeve. The fight choreography is fast-paced and weighty, centered around some impressive stunt work by Gina Carano.

Haywire also has some subtler touches that help give it an identity of its own. A jazzy soundtrack, nonlinear storytelling, and a couple of well-placed montages show more thought than the typical action flick. The tradeoff is that nothing else about the film is groundbreaking. The plot falls within the established bounds of the action genre, the fight scenes are engaging but not unique, and Mallory makes for a solid protagonist but not a memorable one.

The end result is a movie that will appeal to action fans but won’t win over any skeptics. Haywire is a competent thriller that delivers on both plot and action, as well as a few minor stylistic touches to call its own. Viewers who are content with that will want to give it a shot. But those who are looking for something unexpected, with bigger thrills or a flashier main character, may want to keep looking.

For another action thriller in the same vein, try Close. For a more revolutionary action thriller with some of the same elements, try The Bourne Identity. For a more stylized action movie about a female agent paired with a partner she’s not sure she can trust, try Atomic Blonde. For a gritty, low-budget action movie with tight, brutal fights and a similar setup, try All the Devil’s Men.

5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for strong fights and a fairly interesting plot.

Today’s quick review: Bloodshot. Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel), a talented soldier, gets a second chance at life when Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce) brings him back from the dead with a cybernetically enhanced body. Equipped with nanites that give him strength, speed, and extraordinary regenerative power, Ray sets out to get his revenge on Martin Axe (Toby Kebbell), the man who killed him and murdered his wife Gina (Talulah Riley).

Bloodshot is a superhero action movie based on the character from Valiant Comics. Vin Diesel stars as Bloodshot, a superpowered soldier on a mission for revenge. Bloodshot delivers what action fans will want in a popcorn flick: lots of fights, a fast-paced plot, and an unstoppable hero. The movie never manages to break free of the cliches of the genre, but it executes them well enough to be entertaining and sprinkles in a few flourishes of its own.

Fittingly enough, Bloodshot’s greatest strength is its action. The stunts are a mixture of action movie staples—heavy ordnance, car chases, and slow motion—and CGI-fueled brawls that show off Ray’s regenerative capabilities. There’s nothing that can rival the top tier of superhero movies, but the fights are weighty and well-choreographed. Decent fundamentals and a couple of creative setups should be enough to please most action fans.

Bloodshot is on shakier ground when it comes to its story. The movie starts generic and tries to piece together an identity as it goes along. In this it is only partially successful. Bloodshot does get more interesting as its plot builds up steam and its better character designs come into play, but it never quite shakes its budget mentality. There’s very little character development and only the minimum amount of story needed to reach the credits.

Bloodshot will appeal to viewers who care about action and nothing more. For what it is, it’s a fine watch, with a basic but effective plot and some solid action scenes to work with. But its reluctance to carve out an identity of its own makes it hard to invest in. Instead of an excessive, stylish romp, Bloodshot is a bread-and-butter sci-fi action movie with only a handful of ideas to call its own. Those hoping for something richer should skip it.

For a similar flavor of CGI-fueled action done with more skill and imagination, try Alita: Battle Angel. For action in a similar vein but with more black humor, try Venom. For a budget action movie about an operative brought back from the dead, try 24 Hours to Live. For a villain with a similar power set as Bloodshot, try Terminator 2: Judgment Day or Terminator: Dark Fate.

5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for serviceable action and a mediocre story.

“The things I do for my country.” —Xander Cage

Today’s quick review: xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), an extreme sports junkie turned government agent, comes out of retirement when Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), his friend and mentor, is the target of a high-tech assassination attempt. To catch the culprit, Xander must track down Xiang (Donnie Yen), an operative with a similar set of skills, and recover Pandora’s Box, a device capable of taking control of any satellite.

xXx: Return of Xander Cage is an action movie and the third entry in the xXx series. The movie continues the saga of the xXx program, a top-secret NSA initiative to recruit special agents with unconventional backgrounds. Return of Xander Cage delivers over-the-top action with the series’ signature attitude, this time with an expanded cast of characters. However, the movie’s shaky plot and limited budget keep it from doing more with its setup.

Return of Xander Cage specializes in high-octane action with an extreme sports theme. The movie goes out of its way to give Xander hills to skate down, heights to jump off of, and motorcycles to ride, giving the stunts a unique flavor without deviating too far from bread-and-butter action. The movie also branches out into martial arts by bringing in Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa. The quantity and variety of action is enough to make the movie a fun time.

However, Return of Xander Cage suffers from the same flaws as the earlier movies in the series. For starters, Xander is not as slick as the movie makes him out to be. His rebellious lifestyle and extreme sports skills are pure wish fulfillment that the movie doesn’t even attempt to justify. The action itself has a few rough patches where the movie relies on cheap CGI to get the job done, and the plot is as flimsy as most popcorn action flicks.

But for all of its shortcomings, xXx: Return of Xander Cage has the potential to be a very fun watch for the right viewer. Anyone who enjoyed either of the last two xXx movies will get a kick out of the third, as will action fans who are willing to sit back and enjoy the ride. Fans who are looking for something more substantial, either in terms of story and character or in terms of polished action, may want to skip it.

For an action movie with the same attitude and more spy elements, try the original xXx. For another action movie sequel with a similar feel, try Mechanic: Resurrection. For a more polished, bigger-budget action series starring Vin Diesel, try the Fast & Furious movies. For popcorn action that operates on some of the same rules, try the Charlie’s Angels movies.

5.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for enjoyable action with some clear flaws.

Today’s quick review: Barely Lethal. Teenage assassin Megan Walsh (Hailee Steinfeld) has always dreamed of a normal childhood, away from Hardman (Samuel L. Jackson) and his relentless training. She finally gets her chance when a mission to capture Victoria Knox (Jessica Alba) gives her the chance to fake her own death. Adopting a cover identity as an exchange student, Megan moves in with a host family and sets out to learn what high school is all about.

Barely Lethal is a teen action comedy about a sixteen-year-old spy getting her first taste of a normal life. The movie follows Megan’s attempts to fit in, make friends, and find love while keeping her past a secret. Barely Lethal has a decent premise but lacks the creativity to follow up on it. It has enough character development and light humor to hold modest entertainment value, but its generic story and shaky follow-through keep it from standing out.

Barely Lethal has a strange relationship with other high school comedies. Megan forms her expectations about high school from movies like Mean Girls and is shocked when they prove not to be realistic. But Barely Lethal itself is no better. The packaging may be different, but it ends up dealing with the same themes of being yourself and not judging books by their covers as other movies in the genre, making it much less self-aware than it’s trying to be.

The spy side of the plot is also a weird fit with the rest of the movie. Megan’s unusual background is mostly played for laughs, with only the barest amount of detail given to Hardman and his school. The beginning and end of the movie are the only times when Megan’s skills are really relevant, and they are entirely unnecessary for the high school story the movie actually wants to tell. This makes the film’s premise something of a missed opportunity.

Even with these quirks, Barely Lethal does more or less what it sets out to do. Megan’s high school journey is not all that original, but it does hit the beats it needs to, especially when it comes to her relationship with her host Liz Larson (Dove Cameron). The movie’s spy elements are not all that compelling on their own, but they do lead to some decent fight choreography when Megan’s past catches up with her.

On the whole, Barely Lethal is a fine watch for those interested in a teen comedy, but it has little to set it apart from the other movies in the genre. It goes through the motions reasonably well, but it’s missing the heart and originality of the best the genre has to offer, and even its action-oriented premise largely goes to waste. Those who are curious may want to give it a shot, but most viewers would be better off looking elsewhere.

For a full-blown spy adventure with a similar setup, try Charlie’s Angels. For a more kid-friendly take on the spy genre, try Agent Cody Banks. For a much more violent movie about a teen assassin trying to fit in at school, try Kick-Ass 2. For a more iconic movie about life in high school, try Mean Girls, The Breakfast Club, or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. For assassination antics at a high school reunion, try Grosse Pointe Blank.

5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for mixed execution of a generic story.

“If this was Hong Kong, you’d already be dead.” —Wah Sing Ku

Today’s quick review: Lethal Weapon 4. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) of the LAPD are entering a new stage of their lives. Riggs and his girlfriend Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) are expecting their first child, while Murtaugh is about to beocme a grandfather. But the partners are distracted from their domestic affairs when they uncover a human trafficking ring, making an enemy of Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li), a merciless Chinese gangster.

Lethal Weapon 4 is an action movie and the final entry in the Lethal Weapon series. Riggs and Murtaugh return for one more case, this time trying to unravel the mystery behind a freighter full of illegal immigrants. Lethal Weapon 4 takes to new extremes the explosive stunts and colorful characters the series is known for. However, in doing so, it upsets the careful tonal balance the series depends on, leading to a shakier watch than before.

Lethal Weapon 4 has a slightly different tone than its predecessors. Riggs is beginning to show his age, slowing down physically and losing some of his manic edge. The emphasis on his limitations fits oddly with the movie’s decision to ramp up the action even further. Catastrophic chases, hand-to-hand combat, and a few gratuitous explosions give the movie more than its quota of action, but with the caveat that a lot of the new setups feel contrived.

As a result, Lethal Weapon 4 gets caught between trying to be more of an action movie and trying to be less of one. The pieces work well individually, but they don’t fit together as tightly as one would hope. The same is true for the story. Lethal Weapon 4 hits most of the beats it needs to and builds to a high-stakes finale, but it feels like it skips a few steps along the way. As such, the dramatic moments don’t have the impact they should have.

But in spite of these rough patches, Lethal Weapon 4 makes for a fun action movie and a fitting sendoff for the series. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still a great pair, series veteran Joe Pesci and newcomer Chris Rock give the movie some easy sources of comedy, and Jet Li comes across as a genuinely intimidating villain. The movie’s assorted strengths are enough to make it a worthwhile pick for action fans and fans of the series.

Give Lethal Weapon 4 a shot if you’re in the mood for big stunts and some decent humor. The movie won’t have much to offer fans who prefer gritty action and believable stories, but those willing to indulge in some outrageous situations will have a good time. For another buddy cop comedy about a Chinese crime ring operating in Los Angeles, try Rush Hour. For an action movie about two police officers nearing retirement, try Bad Boys for Life.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for enjoyable action with a few rough edges.

“You think I could get a gun this time?” —Leo Getz

Today’s quick review: Lethal Weapon 3. With only a week left until retirement, Sgt. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) of the LAPD is determined not to take any unnecessary chances. But Murtaugh is forced back in the line of fire when he and his partner Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) discover a crooked ex-cop (Stuart Wilson) trafficking high-powered weapons. Meanwhile, Riggs meets his match in Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), a hardheaded officer from Internal Affairs.

Lethal Weapon 3 is an action movie starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Mismatched partners Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh return, this time with the much more modest goal of getting Murtaugh safely to retirement. Lethal Weapon 3 continues the series tradition of explosive action backed by playful, character-driven comedy. However, the movie lacks some of the finesse of its predecessors, making it a solid action flick but not much more.

Lethal Weapon 3 struggles to hit the same balance as the first two entries in the series. The plot isn’t as tightly constructed, with a less memorable villain and action thrown in for its own sake. The scenarios are more outrageous, pushing the movie away from drama and more towards comedy. Lorna is a fine addition to the cast, a female counterpart to Riggs, but she isn’t given the chance to work her way into the group organically.

Still, these faults are minor compared to what the movive gets right. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still a great duo, especially when they’re given the chance to show how far Riggs and Murtaugh’s relationship has come. Joe Pesci earns some laughs as the loudmouthed Leo Getz, now turned from money laundering to real estate. The action is loud and thrilling, with a couple of big stunts and a few moments of drama that land surprisingly well.

Lethal Weapon 3 remains a solid pick for fans of the action genre. It has all the basics in roughly the right proportions, with plenty of action, good comedy, and some memorable characters. Anyone looking for a popcorn watch should look no farther. However, the recipe is executed with a little less skill than before, making it harder for Lethal Weapon 3 to stand out from the crowd. As such, those looking for perfection should give it a pass.

For another iconic action series with similar merits, check out the Die Hard movies.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for quality action missing some of the polish of its predecessors.