Law Abiding Citizen proves to be cinematic thrill ride
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
“It's not what you know Clyde, it's what you can prove.” These words, uttered by Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) early in the film, pinpoint one of the primary themes in Law Abiding Citizen - corruption in the justice system. Directed by F. Gary Gray, Law Abiding Citizen is the story of one man, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler), who takes on Philadelphia's justice system. The film opens with Shelton working on some trinkets while his daughter puts together a bracelet for her mother. The mood plummets from happy and domestic to horrifying and brutal within the first 10 minutes, when the family fall victim to a brutal surprise attack. Shelton is conscious long enough to get a look at the criminals' faces and witness the murder of his wife, as well as one killer picking up his little girl. We see this event through Shelton's point of view until he blacks out; time then passes to a few weeks after the criminals have been caught. Assistant DA Rice explains to Shelton that one of the killers, Clarence Darby (Christian Stolte), has agreed to be co-operative in the case, and to testify against his partner in crime, Rupert Ames (Josh Stewart). It is at this moment that Shelton is also informed of the criminal's sentencing.
Rice explains that as a condition of his cooperation, he's made a deal with Darby to serve a mere 10 years in jail for third degree murder, while his partner, Ames, will be sentenced to the death penalty. Shelton asks Rice not to make the deal, as both men are guilty of murder; perhaps Darby even more so than Ames. Rice says the deal is done. It is this deal with a murderer that sets Shelton off on a mission of vengeance. The film skips forward again, this time by 10 years. Darby is out of prison and Shelton begins to seek revenge, not only on those who murdered his family, but also, on those in the justice system who are responsible for the release of Darby. This is where the action really begins.
Law Abiding Citizen is a great crime/thriller flick. No part dragged on, the plot progressed in good time allowing no break in attention from the audience. The entire film was shot in a cool tone. Most outdoor scenes displayed Philadelphia in an almost constant bluish overcast, while inside shots were dramatically lit like an old mystery film. The characters were very well cast and delivered strong performances. Could you expect anything less from experienced lead tough-guy Butler (300, Rock N Rolla), and Academy Award winner Foxx (Ray)?
For those viewers into special effects, the explosions in this movie were well executed and truly awesome. As for Gray, experienced in this genre with 2003 film The Italian Job, he did an excellent job of bringing screenwriter Kurt Wimmer's story to life.
Overall, I found this movie to be very entertaining. With the right balance of violence and emotion, the blood and gore never became too overwhelming. The audience was able to stay in touch with the central character's humanness, in the midst of all the investigations and hostility, through occasional insights into their personal lives. The only negative aspect in Law Abiding Citizen is that some plot points, revealed near the end, seemed almost too unbelievable for what I consider humanly possible. I can't say much without giving something away, but it's hard to believe one person could execute, and remain in control of, the kind of situations Shelton does. But what do I know…if any person was to suffer the way Shelton did, there is no saying what an extraordinarily intelligent person is capable of doing.
It is especially interesting that Gray and Wimmer have left it to the audience to form an opinion on justice. After viewing you can decide what you believe is right or wrong and who, if possible, can fit distinctly into the role of good guy or bad guy. This is definitely worth your time and the cost of a ticket, and if you still need extra incentive, there's a nice revealing scene of Butler, and he is one fit gentleman.
“It's not what you know Clyde, it's what you can prove.” These words, uttered by Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) early in the film, pinpoint one of the primary themes in Law Abiding Citizen - corruption in the justice system. Directed by F. Gary Gray, Law Abiding Citizen is the story of one man, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler), who takes on Philadelphia's justice system. The film opens with Shelton working on some trinkets while his daughter puts together a bracelet for her mother. The mood plummets from happy and domestic to horrifying and brutal within the first 10 minutes, when the family fall victim to a brutal surprise attack. Shelton is conscious long enough to get a look at the criminals' faces and witness the murder of his wife, as well as one killer picking up his little girl. We see this event through Shelton's point of view until he blacks out; time then passes to a few weeks after the criminals have been caught. Assistant DA Rice explains to Shelton that one of the killers, Clarence Darby (Christian Stolte), has agreed to be co-operative in the case, and to testify against his partner in crime, Rupert Ames (Josh Stewart). It is at this moment that Shelton is also informed of the criminal's sentencing.
Rice explains that as a condition of his cooperation, he's made a deal with Darby to serve a mere 10 years in jail for third degree murder, while his partner, Ames, will be sentenced to the death penalty. Shelton asks Rice not to make the deal, as both men are guilty of murder; perhaps Darby even more so than Ames. Rice says the deal is done. It is this deal with a murderer that sets Shelton off on a mission of vengeance. The film skips forward again, this time by 10 years. Darby is out of prison and Shelton begins to seek revenge, not only on those who murdered his family, but also, on those in the justice system who are responsible for the release of Darby. This is where the action really begins.
Law Abiding Citizen is a great crime/thriller flick. No part dragged on, the plot progressed in good time allowing no break in attention from the audience. The entire film was shot in a cool tone. Most outdoor scenes displayed Philadelphia in an almost constant bluish overcast, while inside shots were dramatically lit like an old mystery film. The characters were very well cast and delivered strong performances. Could you expect anything less from experienced lead tough-guy Butler (300, Rock N Rolla), and Academy Award winner Foxx (Ray)?
For those viewers into special effects, the explosions in this movie were well executed and truly awesome. As for Gray, experienced in this genre with 2003 film The Italian Job, he did an excellent job of bringing screenwriter Kurt Wimmer's story to life.
Overall, I found this movie to be very entertaining. With the right balance of violence and emotion, the blood and gore never became too overwhelming. The audience was able to stay in touch with the central character's humanness, in the midst of all the investigations and hostility, through occasional insights into their personal lives. The only negative aspect in Law Abiding Citizen is that some plot points, revealed near the end, seemed almost too unbelievable for what I consider humanly possible. I can't say much without giving something away, but it's hard to believe one person could execute, and remain in control of, the kind of situations Shelton does. But what do I know…if any person was to suffer the way Shelton did, there is no saying what an extraordinarily intelligent person is capable of doing.
It is especially interesting that Gray and Wimmer have left it to the audience to form an opinion on justice. After viewing you can decide what you believe is right or wrong and who, if possible, can fit distinctly into the role of good guy or bad guy. This is definitely worth your time and the cost of a ticket, and if you still need extra incentive, there's a nice revealing scene of Butler, and he is one fit gentleman.
