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Dead Man Down (2013)
Dead Man Down (2013)
2013 | Mystery
If you’re looking for a film that is as dark and disturbing as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you might be a little disappointed here.

Only a little however, director Niels Arden Oplev’s first English language feature produces effective results in what is a very good revenge thriller. Colin Farrell plays gangland enforcer Victor who during a shoot out saves the life of his boss Alphonse (Howard) who is being tormented by an unknown hell bent on making his life uncomfortable.

Victor has his own agenda, getting as close to Alphonse as possible before exacting revenge for the murder of his wife and daughter years earlier. On the surface it looks like any bog standard Hollywood revenge thriller but dig a little deeper and therein lies an intricate story that weaves its way through to an explosive finale.

Oplev brings back Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace and gives her a darker character, (one that she’ll be able to relate with) who has a past that has scared her, both inside and out, she’s after some revenge of her own. Comparisons will be drawn to her most famous female lead, Lisbeth Salander.

Rapace plays Beatrice, a lonely individual who lives with her slightly deaf mother Valentine (Isabelle Huppert) who has a penchant for cooking and Tupperware and it would be argued her talents are wasted in this. Beatrice blackmails Victor when she catches him knocking off a gang member in his apartment, and tells him that she’ll go to he police unless he helps her kill someone from her past.

Despite coming across as a revenge-actioner in the trailers the film itself has a lot more going for it than that, there is so much more to the story than just cracking heads and explosions. Beatrice’s pain at being scarred by a drunk diver who all but got away leaves her encased in worry and self pity, while Valentine does her best to push her back out into the world.

The relationship between Victor and Beatrice is cagey at first, but this isn’t an initial romance that is going to blossom with them walking off into the sunset together, not at the beginning anyway. It is hard to tell who really wants what and its more about the coming together of two lost souls whose first thought in life is revenge, leaving everything else to come second.

The on screen chemistry between the two lead protagonists is believable, Farrell is steely eyed and strong and Rapace conveys herself with devilish intrigue while at the same time giving off a sense of vulnerability. Terrance Howard is slick and does a decent job, although I could think of a number of other actors who probably could have pulled off the character with a great deal more menace.

The action is pretty good, the highlight being the pulsating last 15 minutes which to be honest was well worth the admission price alone. There was what I would call a ‘copout’ moment at the end, and after everything that Farrell had gone through I would have thought more attention would have been centered on that, instead I left feeling slightly short changed.

It’s a solid film from Niels Arden Oplev with some great acting and a finale that will leave you gasping for an encore.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Faster (2010) in Movies

Dec 6, 2017  
Faster (2010)
Faster (2010)
2010 | Action, Crime
7
6.8 (18 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Ensemble cast (1 more)
Plenty of action scenes
Tons of action
A decent revenge action type of film. It's doesn't beat around the bush, it's quite brutal at times, throw in some fast cars, a quirky hitman, a downbeat cop, you know what to expect from this and it delivers it. It has quite a good supporting cast with a fair few familiar faces, plenty of shoot-outs, fights and the odd car chase or two. A very enjoyable film for your action needs.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies

Jul 29, 2017 (Updated May 21, 2019)  
John Wick (2014)
John Wick (2014)
2014 | Action, Thriller
Great cinematography (1 more)
Awesome shoot outs
A very stylish action packed film
A very good old fashioned action film. Simple plot with a former hitman coming out of retirement on a quest for revenge. This doesn't try to be anything it's not, just action packed with crazy fight and shoot out scenes. The difference is that you can see the attention to detail in every scene. From the lighting, camera angles and fight choreography the film has a very slick visual style to it.
  
The Eternity Code (Artemis Fowl, #3)
The Eternity Code (Artemis Fowl, #3)
Eoin Colfer | 2003 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.0 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Artemis goes on one last sneaky excursion after getting his father back but a world of things go wrong including his bodyguard getting shot. I couldn't believe the quick thinking Artemis took to save his friend and how he got revenge on those who wronged him. Maybe he'll think better than to make something as powerful as the eternity code in combination with technology that's ahead of the Mud people's time in the future. The 3rd book was definitely action packed.
  
Marauders (2016)
Marauders (2016)
2016 | Action, Drama
Good Story, Written Well (0 more)
Clever Bank Heist Movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
When seemingly random Banks get robbed the only link is the head of the Banking corporation (Willis). As more robberies are done and targeted individuals killed at each scene it seems that there is a hidden agenda and someone will stop at nothing to get revenge. A cop whose wife is seriously ill and has his own motives for solving the case is assigned to finding out the reason behind the robberies and killings.
  
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Revenge (Roman Arena, #4)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The fourth (of five) entries in Simon Scarrow's 'Arena' e-book exclusive series, this one starts with both Macro and Pavo being forced to participate in a beast fight in the Roman Arena

Unlike the previous entries (most of which followed the same format, ending with a gladiatorial bout), the majority of this one is set in and around the circus itself, and also ends with Pavo moving closer to his ultimate goal of gaining revenge for the death of his father.
  
The Perfection (2019)
The Perfection (2019)
2019 | Drama, Horror, Thriller
Wow
What a surprisingly fantastic movie. The cast performed great and the cinematography was beautifully done. The story was unique and twisted and captivating. The "backtracking " sequences were masterful. So many twists and turns(some expected, most not) that kept my attention throughout the entire film. While it had some disturbing visuals and somewhat grotesque scenes this horror film was definitely more psychological than anything. Quite the revenge story! Be warned, this one isn't for kids! REALLY worth a watch!!
  
Death Wish (2018)
Death Wish (2018)
2018 | Action, Crime, Drama
Good cast (0 more)
This is a decent enough revenge action film. It's not really a remake as such as the story is different to the old Death wish film. There's a bit of a gore, expected as Eli Roth is the director. The story is good and the violent encounters feel raw and not glamourised. A entertaining film but if you fancy something more indepth try @The Brave One (2007) or @Death Sentence (2007) both slightly better I felt.