Acts of Vengeance

I've wanted to see the movie since I met Kart Urban in my gym last year, so maybe I am little biased. The premise of the movie is quite good but the story delivery is rather poor - it is like all things are "designed" to happen and not very convincingly. I mean, the animated TV series I watched as a kid (Michel Vaillant for instance) made a whole lot more sense. Acting is alright - Banderas and Urban do the job as much as the script allows them to, the rest is typical B-movie stuff. The main asset of the movie are the fighting sequence which while cheesy are very well choreographed and Banderas is surprisingly good in all of them. All in all, a descent premise and good fight sequences versus poor script and clichéd storyline make it for a good 6 out of 10. It is worth your time as long as you don't take it seriously and consider its low-budget nature.

I think with a few tweaks, this could've been a decent movie. There was way too much cheese and too many unrealistic scenes. The plot was overdone and predictable, but could've been saved with better writing.

If you are a fan of Antonio Banderas you may feel or watch this under a different ... point of view. You may feel that this is way better than what I have attributed it and what score I gave it. I do like Mr. Banderas a lot, but I also think this is quite predictable. Just from the cast alone you can tell and be aware of certain things.

That aside, the action and stunts are very well shot. So if that is what you are looking for ... and not the suspense itself (the twist is quite the stretch to be honest), you don't have to worry about anything at all.

It seems Antonio Banderas is making a lot of movies of the same genre lately. This is not to say that's bad. I Think he does quite a good job as an "average man" tough guy. This film is no different, however, there are some exceptions.

I gave this film a generous 7/10. Mostly because I am liking Banderas more and more of late and the plot of this film, although flimsy at times, is pretty good and fast paced.

As in 90% of my reviews, I try to avoid spoilers at all costs as to not ruin it for future viewers. I will stick to that rule and simply talk about what I did and did not like about this film....first, this is a plot we have seen before but was done with some different twists and a solid unforeseeable outcome. Banderas' character is a man on a mission after the murder of his wife and daughter. He is a defense attorney with no fighting or "revenge" skills but learns them quickly as the police seem uninterested in finding the person/persons responsible. This is where He takes matters into his own hands.

The film has some excellent choreographed fight scenes and the pace of the film is without boredom. However, the way our protagonist goes about learning how to become a "tough guy" is quite far out and unbelievable.

Throughout the film, there are quotes regarding "revenge" from Marcus Aurelius' meditations, in six parts. Each act is then played out after the quote is read on screen.

In summation: a worthwhile film with some good action scenes and a solid but familiar story line. Much of the fight scenes from Bandwras' perspective is unrealistic but entertaining. If you are a fan of the action/ thriller and revenge sub genre, you won't be disappointed. If your looking for something new and original, this film won't make the cut.

It was not 90 minutes of boredom or a waste of time....

Exciting and moving action film in which Antonio Banderas seeks revenge when his family is attacked by some ruthless people . A cathartic vengeance drama that delivers vicarious thrills for anyone who has ever felt outraged yet helpless about crime and disorder . A reboot from the successful crime thrillers that created the revenge genre to deliver expeditive justice with Antonio Banderas as the main star . Concerning an experienced lawyer Frank Valera : Banderas , a man who has spent his life as a prestigious advocate in law -and who only sees the aftermath of his city's violence at the criminal court -, turns an investigator after an attack on his family and taking the law into his own hands as a judge , jury and executioner . This new vendetta movie with excessive violence concerns a middle-aged and fast-talking lawyer following the classic doctrine from Roman Emperator ¨Marcus Aurelius¨ and his ¨Meditations¨ writings , as he transforms his body and takes a vow of silence, not to be broken until he finds out who killed his spouse and daughter and has his vengeance . As he turns the one-man vigilante rushed in extreme violence when his family is assaulted by furious people , as his wife is attacked and elementary school-age daughter are murdered . Then he embarks on his own mission for justice , stalking the slums of overloaded crimes , and taking the law into his own hands , searching vendetta on vicious crooks , making the neighborhood safer and along the way bumping off some criminals , assailants and other street scum as the panderers who exploit a teen to prostitute herself . Meanwhile , a police chief : Johnathon Schaech is investigating the grisly killings but it goes wrong . Along the way , Varela is supported and helped by a good wowan : Paz Vega . At the end , fury , retribution and fate collide between Varela and a cruel enemy . They came for his family. Now he's coming for them. How Far Would You Go To Protect Your Family?. Payback Speaks Louder Than Words .

This acceptable film made in ¨Death wish¨style contains suspense , noisy action-packed , intrigue , thrills , shootouts , twists , turns and loads of violence . Dealing with an avenger , burning for revenge , hunts for his family's murderers , as he decides to fight back against the rising tide of crime , one can't help but feel a sense of empowerment, making the film a whole lot of fun for armchair revengers , though , at times , it looks increasingly passsionless and mechanical . Outside of the moral questions that this picture throws up, resulting to be an account of a society that can't protect the honest , as the film packs a searingly brilliant turn from Antonio Banderas , he is an important solicitor become involved in a dangerous investigation and a merciless retribution . Antonio Banderas in his usual acting style , displays efficiently his skills in ¨Charles Bronson's Death wish¨ and ¨Clint Eastwood's Harry the Dirty¨ wake and killing mercilessly nasties . It's certainly thrilling , though the morality may be questionable , even in this time, as the spectators were clearly on the Varela/Banderas' side . It is strangely compelling and taps into some sensitive souls . Furthermore , here appears a nice secondary cast , such as : Karl Urban , Paz Vega , Robert Forster , Cristina Serafini , Johnathon Schaech and a brief cameo by Isaac Floreentine himself as a Karate Sensei .

It packs a stirring and thrilling musical score composed, orchestrated and performed by Frederik Wiedmann. As well as atmospheric and evocative cinematography by Yaron Scharf. The motion picture was professionally directed by Isaac Florentine , though with no originality . Valentine is a notorious actor/producer/writer/filmmaker , an expert on action and violent movies . Isaac cut his teeth in the American film industry working as a fight choreographer and a second unit director. Two-and-a-half years later, he directed his first feature, Desert Kickboxer. Despite its hectic sixteen-day schedule and ultra-low budget, Isaac's inspired direction was so impressive that HBO bought the film. Issac has directed the following ones : Indisputed II , Indisputed III , Ninja , Ninja II , Sofia , U.S. Seals II , Cold Harvest , Haigh voltage , Bridge of Dragons ,The Shepherd , Special Forces , Acts of vengeance and his last one : Seized. Since then, he has worked steadily as a director in film and television, and he continues to impress people with his creative visual style. Rating : 6.5/10 . Decent and acceptable action movie.