Today’s quick review: Riot. Disgraced cop Jack Stone (Matthew Reese) gets his chance at revenge when he ends up in prison with Balam Mogilevich (Chuck Liddell), the Russian mobster who killed his life. To get past Balam’s security, Jack will need the help of William (Dolph Lundgren), a quiet prisoner who knows more than he lets on. Meanwhile, reporter Trisha Sinclair (Renny Grames) works to expose Balam’s illegal dealings using evidence left by Jack.
Riot is a budget action movie set in a maximum security prison. Riot follows Jack Stone as he fights his way through hostile inmates and corrupt guards to get his shot at the man who ruined his life. Prison brawls where Jack gets to show off his fighting prowess give the movie its complement of action, while the plot has more going on than the typical budget flick. Unfortunately, Riot lacks the craftsmanship it needs to build much on this foundation.
Riot suffers from clumsy storytelling. Needless flashbacks make the plot more confusing than it needs to be. An oversized supporting cast makes the movie feel scattered and unfocused. Abrupt revelations try to ratchet up the drama without going through the appropriate setup. None of these flaws cripple Riot as badly as some of its low-budget competition, but they do mean that some promising plot threads never have the impact they’re supposed to.
Riot is a decent pick for fans of budget action movies and a lackluster one for anyone else. Riot’s competent stunt work and prison brawls carve out a narrow niche for it in a crowded genre, while the plot has just enough going on to keep the movie interesting. But its flawed storytelling and mediocre overall quality keep it from having any real advantage over its competition, and anyone looking for more than basic action will want to give it a pass.
For a martial arts action movie set in a brutal prison, try Kickboxer: Retaliation. For an action movie about escape from a maximum security prison, try Escape Plan. For a more character-focused prison drama, try The Last Castle.
5.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for decent action, a serviceable plot, and mixed overall execution.