Today’s quick review: The Hard Way. When his brother is killed while working a case in Bucharest, John Payne (Michael Jai White) leaves behind his bar in Queens and travels to Romania to pick up the pieces of his brother’s investigation. With the help of Mason (Luke Goss), his brother’s partner, and Briggs (Randy Couture), their boss, Payne hunts for the evidence that will put drug trafficker Joe Vig (George Remes) and his mysterious boss Toro away for good.
The Hard Way is a budget action movie starring Michael Jai White. The basics premise is typical for the genre: a hero with a hard attitude and a talent for fighting goes to avenge the death of a family member. The movie does a passable job with its action, a mixture of gunplay and martial arts, but does not have much else going for it. A generic premise, dialogue that never quite hits the mark, and a loose plot all contribute to a mediocre watch.
The Hard Way has most of the right pieces, but they are assembled in the wrong order. There are moments when the movie functions the way it’s meant to, chiefly when Michael Jai White is showing off his skills. But the plot makes missteps that quickly kill the momentum, including a slow start, pointless mysteries, and a surfeit of supporting characters to avenge. Topping it all off is the film’s attempts to play coy with a villain who isn’t worth the wait.
The Hard Way has just enough fighting that it might entertain budget action fans, and its cast has potential. But the script comes up short a few times too many, leaving it a film that’s outclassed even by other budget movies. For a budget action flick that makes better use of Michael Jai White, try Falcon Rising or Blood and Bone. For an action movie with better action and a somewhat more downbeat tone, try Skin Trade.
4.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for modest action and a weak plot.