Stars Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton with Bill Paxton, Robert John Burke, James Marsden, Edward James Olmos and Fred Ward Directed by Baltasar Kormákur As the film kicks off, we learn very quickly that Denzel Washington is a DEA agent, Bobby Trench, trying to bust a drug lord, Papi (Edward James Olmos) with the aid of a lowlife he picked up, Stig (Mark Wahlberg). When a sting goes wrong, Stig suggests robbing a bank where Papi keeps his money. Trench reports to a confidante to set Stig up to take the fall for the robbery… but that doesn't happen. They end up robbing the bank and getting away with much more than they bargain for. At about this time, we learn that Stig is Michael Stigman, a Naval Intelligence agent who then gets double-crossed by his superior officer (James Marsden)… and a whole other mess involving the money from the bank comes up. For a long while after, we're pretty much in the dark as much as Stig and Trench as they are forced to team up and find out just what's up with this money that neither of them have. What keeps the movie rolling along is the chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg, who are clearly enjoying themselves and having a blast with their characters. Even most of the supporting cast appear to give their all, particularly James Marsden and Bill Paxton. While they might make the movie feel like a romp, the labyrinthine plot and the story itself don't make things enjoyably easy, often miring the first half in confusing double-play and backstabbing, and the second half being an almost typical action film, replete with huge explosions. There's nothing profound for the cineaste but the average film-goer would have a fairly enjoyable time with this action film that's been adapted from a comic book. Not your average comic book from either DC Comics or Marvel, but from Boom!Studios. Original writer, Steven Grant, is fairly well known for his stint on The Punisher under Marvel Comics, so the plot and action is expected. As is the testosterone loaded shenanigans, which does leave Paula Patton seemingly sidelined throughout the movie. You'd be hard-press to find any other significant female character within the story itself. Director Baltasar Kormákur (reteaming with his Contraband star, Mark Wahlberg) handles the action well, keeps the pacing taut and leaves it to the actors to deliver their performances. He definitely knows his stuff and offers up exactly what you'd expect. An enjoyable action film that maybe tries a little to be smart and not too mindless. Nothing more and nothing less.
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