Strong performances from Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx makes this thriller about a widowed husband turned vigilante top notch.

But I’ll warn parents: this movie earns its ‘R’ rating early and often with some brutal violence… its not for kids.

(My spoiler-free review)

From F. Gary Gray, director of some hits (”The Italian Job”, “The Negotiator”) and misses (”Be Cool”, “A Man Apart”)… comes a great thriller that challenges the justice system as a vigilante blurs the line between justice and vengeance.

After an attack on his wife and daughter that he’s forced to watch and one of the suspects get a lighter conviction after a deal, Clyde (Butler) thinks that he’s dealing with an impotent legal system, and that his wife and daughter were denied justice, he decides to go after the suspects… and the system.

Nick (Foxx) is the up-and-coming Prosecutor trying to protect his 96% conviction rate so he can become the Assistant District Attorney … he makes the deal in Clyde’s case that becomes the most frustrating mistake of his career.

In an ironic perversion of justice for the audience, you find yourself rooting for the bad guy, but are then challenged by a character who may be taking his message too far.

There are some nice touches, like comparing the art of the recital and an execution of a convicted felon… and while brutal, there’s also a very unique way the filmmakers knock-off one of the characters… the film is gritty… with a lot of high-tech action.

This movie is a mixture of nail-bitter and character study as most scenes feature Butler and/or Foxx … their characters are well developed, but it would have been stronger if the other characters were stronger.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I give it 7.5 out of 10 … I would give it a higher rating if it weren’t for a few flaws: like a D.A. acting like detective running around in the field trying to catch the bad guy and an ending that wraps up a little too easy. 

  “Law Abiding Citizen”

(2009) (rated: R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language)
(1 hr, 48 min)

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Colm Meaney, Bruce McGill, Leslie Bibb, Michael Irby, Gregory Itzin, Regina Hall, Emerald-Angel Young, Christian Stolte, Annie Corley, Richard Portnow, Viola Davis, Michael Kelly, Josh Stewart

Director: F. Gary Gray  (”Be Cool” (2005), “The Italian Job” (2003), “A Man Apart” (2003), “The Negotiator” (1998))

Genre: Thriller

The Plot: An everyday guy decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets his family’s killers free. His target: The district attorney who orchestrated the deal. 

So what did you think?  Please post a comment! 

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“Law Abiding Citizen” poster courtesy Overture Films

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