Blitz

2011 saw the release of Blitz, starring Jason Statham as Brant, a cop with a predilection for vigilante justice. This film is raw and gritty and strikes at a primal place in the urban soul. 

Statham, as we have grown to expect, plays a variation of most of his previous characters. Perhaps it is the gravelly voice or the stern facial expressions... Mr. Statham is one of the most typecast actors in Hollywood at the moment. However, it seems to work for me. He knows the characters and what makes them tick. He is authentic and honest in his portrayals. (Disclaimer: I am not counting the two Crank films.)

The cast includes Paddie Considine, who is brilliant as Nash, the role of the outside cop brought in to work on the case. He is believable and a worthy ally for Statham's Brant. Also noteworthy are Zawe Ashton and Aiden Gillen. Gillen's street punk villain captures the angst of the pseudo-punk and Ashton's roll of the the fallen vice cop rounds out a complex list of main characters. 

Being a born and bred American, I found some of the British accents a little thick... I had to listen closely to catch everything. However, it was well worth it in the end. This film has the frank violence of other vigilante films that I love and an ending that sets all wrongs right for me. I will be watching this one again.

Verdict:**** stars. Fanboy approved for revenge and prevailing in the system!

Boy Wonder

2011 saw the release of the movie, Boy Wonder. The film stars a cast of largely unfamiliar faces and is led by Caleb Steinmeyer, who plays the troubled Sean Donovan. The plot summary can be found at IMDb. Beware: this site contains spoilers.

I am not sure how I missed the theatrical release of this movie but I found it to be strongly thought provoking. How far would a person go to get justice? This is a common theme addressed many times in past films. Think The Crow and The Brave One. It is the small glimpses into the mind of Sean Donovan that set this film apart.

Boy Wonder uses the concept of a child who grows up surrounded by violence - an abusive father - as the proving ground for vigilante justice. It is clear that young Sean learned his lessons well. He is a smart young man who is focused solely on seeking justice for those wrongly killed. But how far can this path lead?

Sean works to piece together what happened on the night his mother was murdered. He attracts the attention of the police, who see him initially as a victim unwilling to let go.  As the story progresses, it becomes clear that there are many victims that go unnoticed. Is Sean a hero for protecting these victims or is he becoming the very evil he seeks to fight? This is a personal question provoked by the film. How far would you go and what would you be willing to become?

Fanboy Verdict: ***** stars for excellent acting, good action and a strong story. This movie is definitely Fanboy Approved!

Fanboy Movie Review

Welcome to Fanboy Movie Review... my outlet for movie news and reviews. This is where I share my thoughts and opinions on films, both old and new. No professional opinions here, just a little bit of Fanboy mentality and a willingness to give any movie that catches my attention a chance to shine. Or crash and burn.

Just like any good Fanboy, I hope to bring enthusiasm and candor to the discussion and I ask that it be just that - a discussion of films. So let the movies roll. Comment, discuss, debate and enjoy!