Warning this review rant contains plot spoilers.
I sat down to write a review of law abiding citizen but to be honest the film is so bad, I really can’t be bothered to spend the time on a proper review. The problems with it are: Morally the film has little to offer and any message it may have for good or bad is clouded by a ridiculously convoluted and contrived (I think contrived, is my most overused word this month!) plot. The twist, if you can call it that is ludicrous and adds nothing to the film.
All this could be overlooked if the film was entertaining and well made, but sadly it isn’t! and here comes the plot spoiler: The plot involves a geniuses mastermind who kills numerous people whilst being locked in a prison cell. He plants a bomb to kill a group of people who can’t be evacuated because he has tapped into the security camera and will blow the bomb if they try to leave. However he doesn’t think to have camera pointed at the bomb or have a motion detector on it to prevent someone from moving it. And finally most of the plot and the action is in the trailer so if you have seen the trailer you really don’t need to see the film.
But don’t let me put you off, it has had some okay reviews. If I have put you off and you want a revenge thriller Harry Brown is a considerably better film if almost as morally questionable.
I’m really glad I read this! I was tempted to watch it with the hubs, but now I’m thinking we can find something better.
i dont think ive seen a worse trailer this year
thanks for taking the hit on this one Fandangs
Colm Meaney.. what were you thinking??!!!
when are we gonna get the Duncan Molloy movie?
The funny thing, I didn’t even want to see the film. A friend talked me into seeing it then couldn’t make it so I went anyway, big mistake.
Oh dear, will give this one a miss then.
Don’t let me put you off; there are positive reviews for it as well!
http://flixchatter.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/lawabidingcitizen-review/
http://filmreviews7.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/law-abiding-citizen-2009-review/
This is an interesting one then!
damn is it that bad? I wanted to see it!
As I said to Dan above lots of people seem to like it. I see you have checked out what Caz had to say about it. I think you need to see it for yourself and make your own mind up. Having said that there are much better films out to see at the moment: https://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/movie-of-the-month-november/
[…] Law Abiding Citizen: To call this film utter crap would be generous, its far worse than that. […]
Who says movies need to have morals now? Here I was thinking that movies were made for our entertainment. It may not be Oscar material, but it had me glued to the television since the moment I hit play. Blood, guts, impossible scenarios… isn’t that what movies are all about these days anyway. I don’t let other people opinions make my decision for me. If I want to see it, I’ll see it. And, if it wasn’t worthwhile then that’s my fault for wasting my time and money. But as for Law Abiding Citizen, I’d say it was the polar opposite of time wasted. But, that is after all, just my opinion. Don’t be dissuaded from doing something, just because one person tells you not to.
I agree with Meg!it was an AWESOME movie!!!and i place emphasis on ‘movie’..it aint reality folks!..if people lighten up a bit they might actually enjoy it and stop trying to scrutinise everything..of course everything in the movie wont apply to the real world coz again its just a movie, sometimes you just got to accept things for what it is and live with the mystery instead of being so analytic..it just spoils the entertainment factor!for those of you who have been put off watching it, i seriously think you should reconsider=)
This movie was not in the least CRAP. In fact it was a very good movie, I would even go out on a limb and say one of the best movies made in a while.. Much like the movie John Q. , there are morality issues in the movie. Potentially my favorite part of the movie, you will find many people who side with the criminal in the movie, and many who side with the lawyer. It’s almost an experiment on it’s own to see who sides with who. Even though you don’t think one side is morally correct, if you have and open mind, you will see that there is more to the movie. ( And it is my impression that the criminal in this movie’s motives weren’t to murder everyone, but instead to teach the justice system how to punish criminal’s. He knew he would be punished, but to prevent the same injustices that occured to his family from happening to others, and as his family was murdered and he had nothing to lose aside from trying to stop it from happening to someone else ). It points out existing issues with the criminal justice system in the United States and gets you thinking about how things should really work. Agree or not. It does those things, and the movie will have an impact on you regardless. GREAT MOVIE.
I completely disagree with your point but must admit it is well made. However, you don’t address the problem that the movie is dull tedious and full of plot holes.