Faster ( 2010 )

Starring:  Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, & Maggie Grace

Directed By George Tillman Jr.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1433108/


     It's about time Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson did another R rated film.  So far, Doom and Southland Tales were the only R rated films under Dwaynes belt.  With Faster, hopefully there will be more offered.  I was getting a little upset at the fact that an awesome personality like Dwayne possess was being wasted on PG-13 films.  Not that there's anything wrong with PG-13, but after so many flops, DJ was fast becoming the New Eddie Murphy.  Not the case with Faster.

     I was a tad bit apprehensive at first when I saw the preview.  Good thing I decided to go against the so called "colleagues" and attend a screening.  WOW.  What a movie!  Faster had everything I had hoped for.  Action, Revenge, and a good cast all rolled into a good paced film.  Dwayne has earned my respect as an actor, and hopefully Faster will open the doors for more roles like this, or at least bigger box office draws, because the guy is totally deserving.

     The story was easy to follow and not full of too much lag time.  An ex-con sets out to avenge his brother's death after they were double-crossed during a heist 10 years ago.   During his campaign  however, he's tracked by a veteran cop and an egocentric hit man. All the while killing almost everybody involved in his brothers death.  Nothing in the world will keep Driver from fulfilling his revenge, or will it?

     I really liked how this movie was filmed with the same edge and grit as the 70's car chase movies, but without relying on the car to sell the whole picture.  Yes, it is a revenge flick, but with a set of balls, and not too much Fast and the Furious cheese.  At times it felt like I was watching a softer Grindhouse movie, but without feeling a bit ripped off.

     All in all Faster was a good movie that should be viewed with as much volume as possible.

-Mr. What?-  ( * * * )