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140 out of 211 people found the following review useful: "Death Wish" brought to the 21st century., 1 August 2007 Author: oak-
No logic but lots of action, violence, gunfights and gore in this one. There is very little meat on the story-bone and in times where, thanks to TV, everyone is an expert on police procedures the lack of logic is almost appalling. But throw the CSI-knowledge over board and you're in for a crazy and entertaining ride. Nicely shoot with some great camera movement Wan is shooting stuff to pieces almost like Hong Kong directors did in the early '90s. No marksmen here, but who cares, this is pure pleasure for the eyes. Kevin Bacon delivers nicely and adds a whole new facet to the dad-on-a-rampage character. There's even a little "Taxi Driver" in him – and not only because of his gun and hairstyle.If this is your poison go give Death Sentence a try.
102 out of 147 people found the following review useful: Do not listen to all the negative reviews!, 31 August 2007 Author: hatrick714714 from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
If anything is going to hurt this movie, it is going to be all of the negative reviews it has been receiving from all of these stuck up critics! Death Sentence is exactly what everyone is expecting it to be, and fans of the 'Revenge' genre will have a blast watching Kevin Bacon chase after his son's killers in this gruesome and riveting storyline.Kevin Bacon gives an almost scary performance, and the movie will have moments that make some people cringe, and surprisingly some moments that will bring people tears.Mixing revenge and violence with the struggles in the main character's life works well, and the movie never slows down or gets boring. It is not as if the director really messed anything up, and I don't know what the negative feedback was for, but this movie will certainly entertain the majority of people who go to see it. Have fun!
110 out of 172 people found the following review useful: pretty good, 31 August 2007 Author: (protector2222)
I thought this movie was great. I think Bacon never fails to perform. The movies he picks to do show a lot of his depth as he very rarely plays a one dimensional character. There was a story to this movie. A very complicated story. If you didn't notice the story you got distracted by the violence. Some of the dialogue was cheesy but that is what makes it great.The only problem I had with the film was the detective role. She seemed to serve zero purpose whatsoever. I am not taking away from the acting done for that role. But every scene she was in was slower and just did not fit with the rest of the movie. Other then acting as a very short winded inner monologue for Bacon's character, all she did was say no no, your safe, they're dead, and no. We all knew where this movie was going we didn't need the attempt to turn into a crime drama. If you did not like this movie you went into it expecting the wrong thing. This is a revenge movie. It had no supernatural parts. When someone was shot they bled a lot and they were in pain. If you ever wanted to exact revenge on someone in your own mind or in your dreams go see this movie it is great.
93 out of 139 people found the following review useful: Wan delivers in a non-horror-film, 1 August 2007 Author: gecco-2 from Germany
I just saw this Movie at the Fantasy-Film-Fest in Munich and I have to say: Great stuff. Wan really delivers on this new Genre. Kevin Bacon is brilliant as always as the tormented father of a happy family (at least at the beginning of the movie), John Goodman does a stunning performance in a small but impressive supporting role. The action sequences got me to the edge of the seat and boy, this really doesn't happen very often I must confess. Go and watch this, you wont regret it - if you don't principally have problems with revenge-movies like "The Punisher" or "Straw Dogs"! ... ... ... ... ... ...
74 out of 113 people found the following review useful: Things I've Learned from Watching "Death Sentence (2007)", 18 December 2007 Author: room102 (plasmapool@gmail.com) from Israel (http://plasmapool.50webs.com/)
* MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD * (duh!)- If your son is bleeding to death, it's a lot more useful to shout for help when there's nobody around than to call an ambulance.- If your son is bleeding to death, let him walk by himself instead of carrying him - it would help stopping the bleed.- When you are angry - stand in the middle of the road and wait for a car to smash you.- Gang members only get flesh wounds when getting hit by a car on the highway.- Montages are NOT a cliché.- Gang members look super-cool in red light.- When you want to sentence a murderer - it's enough to go to trial with one single evidence at hand (a witness).- You can kill the guy, who murdered your son, at the same day he was released - the police would never suspect you did it. And if a policewoman would know you did it, she'll just tell you it's "not OK".- Your friends at work would never ask you why your hand is all wrapped in bandage and is bleeding. But if you want to be sure - put your hand behind your back.- Working in an office would put you in better shape than any gang member.- There is no bullet in the world that can hit Kevin Bacon - unless he's running in slow motion or found in red lighting environment, which tends to make him vulnerable.- Kelly Preston never learned what "overacting" means.- If you secured the entire house and locked all the windows, it's OK to open the door to whoever rings the bell.- If you're working in a hospital, it's good to tell a joke to someone whose entire family has just been murdered.- If you're working in a bank, it's good to tell a joke to someone who draws all his savings.- If you're working in a bar, you would never believe that anyone else speaks Spanish.- Always read the instructions before using a weapon. It will also teach you how to shoot.- Having your son in hospital would give you immunity when murdering bad guys.- It's important to shave your head before going to kill your family's murderers.- If you're going to crash into another guy's car, don't put your seat belt - it's for pu**ies.- Mutilation is super-cool.- Even Kevin Bacon can't save this movie from James Wan's direction.1/10 Hilarious movie. Highly recommended!
43 out of 52 people found the following review useful: Vengeance, pure and simple, 22 April 2008 Author: TomCruiseFan99 from Cape Town, South Africa
Reminiscent of previous vigilante films like Death Wish and The Brave One, this film is much more action-packed and gripping. Kevin Bacon gives an excellent performance as a traumatised father who witnessed his son's murder and decides to punish the killers himself, rather than depend on the police.The action scenes are truly suspenseful and keep you on the edge of your seat, especially a foot-chase that culminates in a deadly game of hide-and-seek within a 5-storey parking garage. Another factor that sets this film apart from previous vigilante thrillers is that it still manages to serve up quite a few twists and turns that add to the tension.As exciting and gripping as this film is, please be fore-warned: the violence shown on screen is not for those with weak stomachs. It's graphic, brutal, edgy and tense. Still, this does not detract from the film at all. If anything, it makes the whole experience more visceral.
106 out of 189 people found the following review useful: Excellent!!!, 3 September 2007 Author: xb4-1 from United States
I know many people on here have posted that this film isn't based in reality and I for one am GLAD!!! We see reality too often day in and day out on the news, and the sad truth of it is, the bad guys usually get away with murder and don't suffer any repercussions for it. So it's great to see a film that delivers to us what it would be like if justice was served! Director, James Wan of the original "SAW" movie shows us he is not a one trick pony and can deliver his talents past just the horror genre. Kevin Bacon and the rest of the cast did a wonderful job delivering a very believable grief stricken family, I would definitely recommend this film!
37 out of 54 people found the following review useful: I don't agree with the critics on this one, 1 September 2007 Author: damoviecritic from United States
I usually agree with the mainstream critics about movies, for the most part. However, this movie, like the 1st Saw film, is a major exception. If you are looking for a best picture candidate, you will not find it here. However, it is a very entertaining, engrossing movie that will probably not appeal to the squeamish. The movie fits right into the Parent Revenge mold quite well. The oldest son is killed by gang. Dad avenges death. Gang fights back. Dad goes crazy and kills gang members, before the whole thing culminates in a final shootout full of graphic carnage. If you are looking for an insane action movie, this isn't quite it. In particular, the first half is very deliberate in trying to convey Bacon as a real guy, trying to avoid violence, but ultimately succumbing to it. I found this journey that he takes to be quite believe, up until a scene near the end in a hospital in which he turns into Rambo. Rather than being moving, it is slightly laughable. Then the movie turns into a straightforward, albeit very well shot, action flick full of gore and carnage. Many critics bashed the film for it's hypocrisy in having the movie condemn violence while later depicting it in stylish, perversely entertaining detail. However, I think this was justified by a gang leaders quote at near the end of the film. "Look at you," he says to Bacon. "You've turned into one of us." The man is right. The gang leaders have slit throats and shot heads. But so has Bacon. He is a lesser of two evils to be sure, but an evil none the less. While this may be a cheap attempt by the director the make the film more serious, it does work. It is true that Bacon has transformed into a kind of monster. I give great credit to Bacon's performance, along with almost ever other actor. If a dark, violent, disturbing movie is what you are in the mood for this weekend, skip Halloween, and go see this.
49 out of 78 people found the following review useful: The movie was stupid, 1 September 2007 Author: stanleyloftness from United States
At least in walking tall he recuperated before going on a revenge spree. The police were made to look very stupid. After 2 policemen are killed and they know who the killers are, no one tries to track them down. Please... If I knew a gang was after me and my family, I certainly would not keep them at home. They would be on the first flight out of town. He escapes from the hospital and the police know that he is out for revenge, but no one bothers to look for him at his house. Someone who has never handled guns before becomes an expert marksman by reading the manuals. It would not have taken much to have the plot make more sense. They could at least have the police trying to do something.
52 out of 86 people found the following review useful: top draw, 4 September 2007 Author: m-pearce from Newport Wales
if you are looking for a movie which has plenty of violence mixed with a bit of gore then look no further. i'm told the novel on which this movie is based is the sequel to the classic revenge thriller death wish released in the 70's & starring Charles Bronson. if like me, you enjoyed that movie then you will love this. kevin bacon stars & is outstanding as always & is always better when he is playing a psycho!!. the rest of the cast support very well with john goodman doing an unfamiliar turn as the bad guys' dad & very good he is too! also garret hedlund who plays billy is very powerful as the movies main nutcase. all of the other bad guys could have been taken from real gangs as they are so nasty. anyway this is a good Friday night film to see with your girl or your mates and the soundtrack is haunting especially the song at the end scene. the subject matter is quite harrowing but it is very satisfying watching a mild mannered man transform into the vigilante we would all like to become after the events put before him in this movie. all in all a top film directed by one of Hollywood's most promising new directors James wan who is not afraid to push the gore & explicit violence to the limit.
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