Action thrillers have drawn audiences in for many years, the idea of the common man fighting back against an evil has been a fan favorite for a very long time. In the new revenge thriller "Law Abiding Citizen" that is what one man does, when evil comes knocking at his door. Too bad for the bad guys this man is able to fight back, but he does it on his terms and his time frame. He is able to take what he knows and use it to enact his revenge.
The plot focuses on Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) who, ten years after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered, returns to extract justice, not only against the two men who were responsible for the crime, but also against Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case against their killers. Nick fearing a loss of his near perfect conviction rating offers a plea to Clarence Darby (Christian Stolte) if he testifies against Rupert Ames (Josh Stewart). The two men had broken into the home of the Shelton's, looking to rob them, but things quickly turn from bad to worse. After Darby testifies against Ames his case is plea bargained down to nothing and Clyde is forced to watch as one of his families killers walks out of the court room.
Ten years later Ames is to be executed and things take a turn for the worse, his execution, instead of being painless is made to be as painful; as possible, at first the police think Darby is responsible but quickly and with very few clues they zero in on Clyde. When Darby is also found dispatched all clues point to Clyde, the police capture him and while he is standing trial he is sent to a prison?? Ok I will buy that for the sake of the story. As Nick is drawn closer and closer into Clyde's game people who helped Darby and Ames start to disappear. First the two men's attorney, Bill Reynolds (Richard Portnow) is taken, Clyde tells Nick he will make a deal, a steak dinner for information on Bill Reynold's whereabouts.
As more and more bodies start to pile up the Mayor of Philadelphia (Viola Davis) tells Nick and the District Attorney Jonas Cantrell (Bruce McGill) not to travel alone anywhere. When Nick brings the entire District Attorneys office to the prison he is just walking them into the lion's den. As another deadline passes Nick watches as several members of his team including his protege, Sarah Lowell (Leslie Bibb) are killed, soon after the District Attorney himself falls victim. Clyde is able to do these deeds from the comfort of his solitary cell, one that looks as if the prison went back in time. Nick is forced to use his skill to outwit a sociopath, one who it seems can kill without actually being there.
By the time that Nick and Detective Dunnigan (Colm Meaney) find out how Clyde is actually killing people the movie loses alot of what it had going for it, the suspense up until the big revelation seemed intense and gripping, but after the revelation it almost becomes another excuse for shoot outs and explosions, almost. Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx save this movie with an intense portrait if just how easy it is to push a man past his limits. Charles Bronson has turned this story arc into a mega hit, he has made moviegoers cheer for the little guy, and that is really all we want deep down inside. The chance to right a wrong, the chance to take an evil and turn it back on perpetrator, the right to say ENOUGH. Fans of these types of movies really get into these types of movies solely for the release they offer. Gerard Butler with his t-shirt off isn't a bad thing either.
I give Law Abiding Citizen a 3 and on my avoidance scale a 0. This is a well acted movie Jamie Fox does a great job playing his character, a heroic yet corrupt lawyer. An angry Jamie Foxx, back to the roles that showcased his talent? I say it's about time. This is the type of movie that alot of us have been waiting for, this movie will excite just about everyone, it is easy to follow and the plot is simple, bad guys hurt his family, Clyde strikes back. We are never sure whether Clyde is the hero or villain, and this adds to the excitement.
Law Abiding Citizen is rated R for Strong Bloody Violence and Torture, a Scene Of Rape and Pervasive language
Running time is 1 hr. 49 mins.
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