Law Abiding Citizen review

"Law Abiding Citizen" attempts something that's hard to do. It attempts to juggle several genres and place them in the right order to make a film that's smart and entertaining on more than one level. Mission accomplished. The film is being sold fairly well actually because it's complicated... very complicated. Gerard Butler's family has been killed, one of the two attackers turns states evidence and his lawyer Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) wants to take the deal that's been set instead of attempting a loss which could both set both men free and lower his 96% conviction rate. We're not sure which is more important to him at that time. Butler understandably hates the idea of going with a deal and knows as well as Rice that his testimony isn't much good since he blacked out.

Fast forward ten years and the intruder who's in prison his getting the lethal injection... however something goes wrong and it seems someone tampered with the chemicals making a painless death into one that appears quite unpleasant. This set up a chain reaction that leads us to the revenge movie in reverse where the killer kills more after his capture; that's also a very good social commentary on the judicial system. There's shock and surprise and it's not afraid to get a little bit bloody. In the beginning it seems like "Saw" with a brain and if Jigsaw's plot actually made even the slightest bit of sense and by the end it's gone through the book of modern warfare tactics. And yet at the same time it's an intelligent legal drama that makes you care about every last character. Kurt Wimmer who's known more for his science fiction writing has made his second impressive crime film and director F. Gary Gray (someone who needs to make more films) delivers his best film since "The Negotiator".

Gerard Butler gives his best performance to date. He comes off has the best kind of crazy. The crazy that's disarming and mildly amusing. Then when you least except it... well... there's a great scene I refuse to ruin to illustrate this point, but rest assured it's a good performance. Foxx also reminds us why he's an Oscar winner and why he's an A-lister. He goes through the story gaining speed and transforming from up incoming lawyer to criminal stomping lawyer willing to stop Butler's continuing blood shed from behind bars. I should also mention the fucking perfect casting of Bruce McGill and Viola Davis who kill every time they are on screen. Not for one moment are they unbelievable or come off as just walking costumes.

I will say that the final act does get a bit over the top and part of the mystery is kind of movie sensible, but it's grand finale is fitting and well crafted. Gray and Wimmer have made a taut thriller that deserves praise and definitely viewers. Rarely do we get impressive movie-like thrillers like this so take it in while you can.

"Law Abiding Citizen" *** 1/2 out of ****