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*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Middled aged and even elderly ex British soap opera actors embarrass themselves in a testosterone loaded stab at a British actor flick. They must have used gallons of "Just For Men" during production. The style of the film is derivative of Guy Ritchie's earlier work, sexed up with car chases, explosions and manly confrontations and given a "Northern" spin.Most of the male dominated cast are far too old for this kind of fare, and you have to wonder what audience the film has been made for. Teenagers will run a mile from a movie in which jobbing actors the age of their dads and grandads act out tough-guy fantasies. Freight doesn't appeal to the female demograph, in fact it pretty much goes out of its way to alienate it, which leaves grown men as the target audience.Its one thing to watch ageing action superstars like Bruce Willis continue in the genre despite the advancing years. Freight throws up a cluster of has-been soap actors, and barely recognisable faces. I'm sure one "baddie" has featured in a washing up liquid advert. On the whole they are not convincing.Unfortunately for the makers of Freight, the Bourne trilogy, and the rebooted Bond franchise, sets a much higher standard for this genre and Freight compares badly. Yes, the subject material at the darker end of the genre's range, and the approach is grittier, but the producers have chosen to operate in this market. They may struggle to find an audience willing to suspend disbelief for the duration of the running time.At least Guy Ritchie's work in this genre wisely employs younger, hipper, cooler actors. I always figured that to be an application of basic common sense, rather than a stroke of genius, but having sat down and watched a preview of Freight, I have to wonder if Saga did the casting. It is embarrassing, I've seen worse but this is a weak and disappointing effort.To end the review on a positive note, the script is above average for its type, some of the dialogue is memorable, and the action and stunt work is, for the most part, competently handled. It is one of those films where the trailer looks great....
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