'12 Strong': Not very for a Bruckheimer pyrofest . . .
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| Posted on January 21, 2018 at 23:28:46 | ||
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Posts: 3765
Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013 |
Despite its cute cast, this film really didn't raise my blood pressure or make me twitch my trigger finger. Based on the true story of our first strike after 9-11, it doesn't have the gravitas of '13 Hours'. Yes, this was an action film but it just didn't come together in a serious way. Heavens, it's a war movie! The main selling point of this film is the patriotic red, white, and blue. It's not about gripping drama and battles to the death. Part of the problem for me was a few implausible things happened near the end. You have to be really watching for them. I give it 2.5 out of 5 wanks for almost being too polite and for Jerry taking the day off. 'Den of Thieves': Gritty, sweaty, and profane . . . This film opens up with a very, very serious 'Heat' vibe. I expected DeNiro to emerge and give orders to his crew. Though familiar, I liked the back-and-forth editing showing us the criminal crew and sheriff's crew. They weren't much different and I guess LA County makes everyone the same in that way. Pablo Schreiber (Orange/Black and 13 Hours) is the boss hoss of a very profession bank-hit crew that takes down their fair share. Butler plays the foul-mouthed, obnoxious lieutenant whose crew is of a lower caliber than the crims who are successful in their own right. Seems Schreiber's crew are mostly ex-combat Marines who are disciplined and unafraid of going down. Likewise, Butler is nearly crazy and undisciplined in how he manages things. The two converge in a battle royale to see who's going to be top dog, crime or law enforcement. There was a lot of good casting and the script seemed to be realistically developed. The story played well and served up a nice twist we weren't expecting. I give this 3 out of 5 Wonkas for being a reasonably compelling crime drama and showing me the coppers can be much worse than the baddies.
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