Movie review: Homefront

Director: Gary Fleder

Cast: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth and Izabela Vidovic.

Genre: Action/ Drama.

Run Time: 1 hr and 50 min.

Rating: 6/10.

From action star Sylvester Stallone comes this new action film that brings together the unlikely match up of Jasom Stratham of the Transporter film fame and James Franco.

The action revenge film stars Jason Statham in the lead role as a former undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Phil Broker, who relocates to a Louisiana bayou with his young daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic) after making powerful enemies on his latest drug bust. However, trouble seems to follow Phil wherever he goes and after falling out with local woman Cassie, played by Kate Bosworth, things become very dangerous for Phil and his daughter. Cassie turns to her criminal brother Gator (James Franco), to put a little fear into Phil for disrespecting her and her family.

Thumbs Up

The one thing that is the film biggest asset, is its cast. Franco is particularly good creating a complex and intriguing villain, his presence alone seems to elevate those around him, especially Statham in his lead role. Kate Bosworth also does not disappoint in her supporting role as Cassie who is the cause of the war between Statham and Franco’s character. Additionally the film also has some great action set pieces here and there.

Thumbs Down

Sylvester Stallone’s script is nothing to write home about; it is underwritten, formulaic, predictable, lacking in suspense and worse the dialogue is embarrassingly perfunctory. Also the film is riddled with too many lazy coincidences.

Verdict

It will not win any awards for brilliance but it is entertaining.