Nearly a perfectly movie! Travis J. Opgenorth wrote a finely tuned script with an astute ear for Southern and working class masculine vernacular; and the actors with director Shaun Silva at the helm delivered it with absolute authenticity. By the way to label this a martial arts film because of the very few moves that Scott Adkins brings to a all of two scenes is a massive overstatement. Adkins goes far from usual screen persona and does a great job as villain, a bad guy. However, his character, like everyone's in this beautifully unfolding revelations about each, is more than the cliche that might populate the movie the lazy viewer might have expected. The funny thing is, or sad, the lazy viewer could watch this movie and miss the subtleties, the clues for the viewer to enjoy, the dinstinct tracks the various characters follow as each changes toward cowardice or betrayal or conviction or bravery or resignation. The script and the cinematography don't force feed the viewer anything. Of the the viewer wants to enjoy an intricate and well presented bit of cinema, here it is; pay attention. I found it easy; I couldn't look away. But if a viewer is looking cliche derivative predictable escapist mindless action, he or she will probably be able to superimpose that expectation here, but ultimately end up disappointed. The pacing of the movie is that of a mature narrative; there is a story here; several parallel stories as it happens. The emerge to form the foundation of this film's story, the movie cannot progress without due reference to one or moreover them at due times. So, the movie fails to please as an action film. This is because it is far better than an action film.
I love seeing Scott Adkins in this role. He's fierce and villainous, yeah! But we can see he still has his own code; he's conveys a sympathetic character, as well. It's fantastic and super! To see Billy Zane here! What he does with his character is captivatingly crazy. With the help of cinemetographer Keith J. Leman, Zane owns the screen every time he's on it no matter is there. Kara Jade Myers' character, Emily Rusk is, perhaps, the constant element necessary to the story, and Myers' portrayal is incredible. Emily Rusk is either the dynamite or the glue, but I was left wondering how Myers came up with all that she found to put into this one performance. And finally, it must be said that every performance in the movie was right, was authentic, people responding to other people and to situations; there was no acting visible on the screen, no fake action shots. This a story about a sheriff who tries to avoid violence getting caught up with three US Marshall's doggedly pursuing it; and it takes off from there and becomes much more.
