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Review: Twisty, Action-Packed NYC Noir 'Safe' Is The Finest Jason Statham Actioner Yet

24 April 2012 7:59 AM, PDT | The Playlist | See recent The Playlist news »

The de-evolution of the modern b-action movie is disheartening. The genre has been bisected by traditionalists and new-school practitioners. The old-school, red meat types like Sylvester Stallone and their ilk believe that real men doing real stunts and delivering brutal blows is the way to go, big tough guys in big tough situations, without any youngbloods or fancy gizmos. The more contemporary action filmmaker, however, spikes the punch, utilizing heavy-duty CGI to turn Tobey Maguire into Dolph Lundgren, Cameron Diaz into Jackie Chan. Neither side seems to understand that you don't need to be Dostoyevsky to infuse the same old tropes with just a little respect for characters, stories, suspense, and high stakes. It's the story, stupid. Believe in it.

Writer-director Boaz Yakin ("Remember The Titans") believes, which is why his latest picture, the old-school-baiting "Safe," knows exactly where that pleasure center lies. The finest of the generic output of action stud Jason Statham, »

- Gabe Toro

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2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2002

1 item from 2012

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