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Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 133,556 users   Metascore: 34/100
Reviews: 391 user | 205 critic | 26 from Metacritic.com

A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.

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Title: Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Denise Rice (as Emerald Angel Young)
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Rupert Ames (as Joshua Stewart)
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Storyline

Clyde Shelton's family is brutally murdered. The ones responsible are caught. However, because of improper procedure, the D.A., Nick Rice only has circumstantial evidence. So he decides to get one of them to testify against the other. When Shelton learns of this, he is not happy. Ten years later, the one who was convicted is being executed but something goes wrong; his execution goes awry and he suffers. They learn that someone tampered with the machine. And the other one is found dead, killed in a gruesome manner. Rice suspects Shelton, so he has him picked up. At first, Shelton agrees to a plea agreement with Rice but changes his mind. It appears that Shelton is not done, it appears he blames the whole system and is declaring war on it going after everyone involved with his family's case. So Rice has to stop him but Shelton is way ahead of him. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

How do you stop a killer who is already behind bars? See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

16 October 2009 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Días de ira  »

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,488,143 (UK) (27 November 2009)

Gross:

$73,343,413 (USA) (29 January 2010)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Darby's ring tone is "Bloodline" by Slayer. See more »

Goofs

When you first see Darby on the table about to be tortured, Clyde moves about the end of the table. as he does he brushes up against Darby's foot and you can see the foot and end of the leg wobble revealing that is is made of rubber. See more »

Quotes

Nick Rice: You think your wife and daughter would feel good about you killing in their name?
Clyde Shelton: My wife and daughter can't feel anything. They're dead.
See more »


Soundtracks

"Sin's a Good Man's Brother"
Written by Mark Farner
Performed by Grand Funk Railroad
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A morality tale with plenty of action
19 October 2009 | by (Saint Louis, MO) – See all my reviews

This is a movie that's extremely fun to watch in the theaters because you get to hear and see everyone's reaction to each of his killings. The best one had people actually saying loudly "wow" and "oh my god!".

What drew me to the movie was the fact that the hero wasn't going around killing people with his bare hands or face to face. He was doing it with his mind, with careful planning, and deft precision. That was something refreshing to see. I can totally relate to his feelings of anger over the flaws in the justice system and his desire to take matters into his own hands - to make things right.

The ending was disappointing but the rest of the film was not and I liked it overall.


190 of 266 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Why the ending was disappointing mauness
Did I miss the reason for the murder of Shelton's family? fruity_dina
Perfect Ending maxphillyfan
Not even remotely possible....ptp wanderin
The Transportation of The Bomb from Building to Jail Cell? mwmiller1
Did anyone else notice Jamie Foxx's piss poor acting? chucktewes
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