12 Rounds - Review

So, went and saw 12 Rounds opening night. Short version, worth seeing. I am a fan of Renny Harlin and not a fan of John Cena. Quite honestly I would have waited for it to come on television after the mistake of being drunk and wanting to watch a big dumb action movie and blind buying The Marine. I was sobered by its insane stupidity, the only thing to almost save that flick was Robert Patrick's "I could give a fuck less" performance. So yeah back to 12 Rounds, Cena apparently did some work since the last flick and has learned how to have a personality on screen and to speak dialogue rather than recite it. Renny did his job and made it fast paced with some really good action set pieces involving the New Orleans setting. On a side note i was supposed to be an extra in the movie but my scene was cut out of it, so damn you Renny Harlin's editor!

The supporting cast did well for the movie they were in if that makes sense to you. Ashley Scott was gorgeous as usual representing Metairie girls well. Her acting as the plot device... I mean Cena's girlfriend whom gets kidnapped by the villain. Aiden Gillen did well in my eyes although I've seen him described as annoying. Well he was because of his arrogance so i guess that was part of the performance and save for his barely there Irish accent he played the role well as the psychotic Ed Norton look alike. Brian White did well as Cena's partner, and i don't know the rest of the cast members names much less their character names because, well come on were here to see big stupid action, right. No one stood out as bad but no one stood out as exceptional i suppose is the best way to put it.

The biggest issue to take me out of the fast paced action was the point in the films climax when Cena's girlfriend jumped in the pilot's seat of a helicopter. Whaaa? This leap, as i do not recall them ever mentioning her being a helicopter pilot, took me out of the movie long enough to have to construct the back story in my head. Same scene in the "showdown" the editing could have been a bit better, although i will say it seemed as though they had to take some things out to maintain the PG-13 rating.

In conclusion it was a fun diversion that was worth a Friday night with friends and drinks afterwards, it was good to see a Renny Harlin action flick on the big screen again, just don't expect to have your mind blown.

I'm going to try to come up with sort of quick rating system like the thumbs up or stars or something. I'm open for suggestion if you want to throw 'em at me!