Showing December 2009 @ Showcase Cinema De Lux, Bristol

Action, drama, thriller all compiled into one package is what you can expect from the new film Law Abiding Citizen spotlighting the gloriously talented duo of Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler.

Soon after a plea arrangement is met by prosecutor Nick Rice (Foxx) to set free the cruel killers that took away Clyde Shelton’s family, the law abiding citizen that Clyde (Butler) prides himself as seeks justice into his own hands and begins to viciously hunt down the killers. Once he’s eradicated his first victim (in the most gruesome and Saw related way) he is cast into jail but behind bars he still has a scheme to take out anyone involved in his case.

It’s clear that Gerard Butler is rapidly becoming as popular and as cool as people like Daniel Craig, his recent performance in the non-stop action film Gamer proving to be one of this year’s coolest action characters. Let’s not forget the gritty 300 either where his acting can at least be stated as powerful; these factors alone have sky rocketed him to a respected level of fame.

I attended the cinema believing that after the first ten minutes this would be one of those films where if you’ve seen the trailer you’ve seen the film; fortunately I was wrong. Butler and Foxx bounce off each other wonderfully on screen and sometimes your find yourself launching right out of your seat, thanks to their outstanding chemistry.

Second, this film has an admiring personality; it’s surprising and interestingly toys with the audiences sympathies – there’s no easy answer to define good from bad. Third and finally, if you’re a fan of director F. Gary Gray (A Man Apart, The Negotiator) you’ll be pleased to note his step up in creative talent.

I will conclude this review by leaving you with a haunting quote from the mouth of Clyde Shelton himself: “It’s going to be biblical,” and it sure was!

www.lawabidingcitizenfilm.com

Andrew Dex