Today’s quick review: I Am Wrath. Stan Hill (John Travolta), a family man with a violent past, returns to his old ways when his wife Vivian (Rebecca De Mornay) is killed in an apparent mugging. Teaming up with his old friend Dennis (Christopher Meloni), Stan begins hunting down the killers one by one. But as he digs deeper, he’s shocked ot learn that Vivian’s murder wasn’t random but tied to her work for Governor Meserve (Patrick St. Esprit).
I Am Wrath is a gritty action movie about a man out to get revenge for the murder of his wife. I Am Wrath takes a standard action movie premise and runs with it, forcing Stan Hill to delve deeper and deeper into a world of violence in order to avenge an injustice. The premise leads to a few decent shootouts, but the overall execution leaves something to be desired. Shallow characters and a linear plot make I Am Wrath a middling pick at best.
I Am Wrath’s best feature is the partnership between Stan and Dennis, who complement each other well and actually do a decent job of taking down criminals. The movie also gets some mileage out of Stan’s quest for revenge, a straightforward hunt from killer to killer. However, neither of these aspects are as developed as they could be. Stan and Dennis’ relationship is short on details, while the main plot is fairly predictable.
I Am Wrath also misses a few major opportunities when it comes to its story. Stan Hill fails to be a memorable character; his violent past is never expanded on in any detail, while his struggle with the morality of his actions comes off as mere lip service. I Am Wrath also does a poor job with the conspiracy angle, waiting most of the movie before hinting that there could be anything more to Vivian’s murder and thus missing out on plot development.
I Am Wrath is only worth a watch for action fans looking for a safe pick. Its generic plot and unexceptional stunt work mean that it has little to set it apart from a crowded field, in spite of a decent lead and a workable premise. Dedicated action fans will find it to be a tolerable watch in a pinch, but most viewers will find that it doesn’t have much to offer.
For a more plot-focused crime drama with a similar setup, try Edge of Darkness. For a violent tale of revenge with more bite to it, try Death Wish. For a more sober take on a similar premise, try The Brave One.
5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for mediocre action and writing.