I've been looking forward to this one ever since they started playing trailers a few months ago.

If you like what you see in the trailer, you'll like the film.

And, I did like this film.  There are lots of little problems if you get right down to it, but it's an ambitious, globe trotting espionage/assassin type flick, and these are always tough to pull off successfully.

The most glaring problem is that this is a $70 Million budgeted picture, released in late September, when it's almost impossible for such a movie to recoup its budget.  It opened weakly but there is major over seas appeal, so we'll see how it ends up, but $70 Million is just too much to spend on a flick like this, no matter how much star power is on hand.

And star power there is.  Jason Stathom is great as usual.  Maybe even better than usual.  Clive Owen is good, but under utilized...and under-understood IMO.  De Niro is good, but not present for most of the movie.  He also seems to be a little cliched in terms of his character and his mannerisms, but hey, he's De Niro.  But, the real scene stealer here, is Dominic Purcell, who I've always thought was an under appreciated actor.  He sports a pretty wild look and seems to have gained 15-25 pounds for this role, but he's good, funny, and effective throughout.

This is based on a "true story", and adopted from a book.  It takes place in 1980 and 1981.  It's set literally all over the world and looks like it was actually shot on numerous world wide locations.

Acting, as said above is good.  Action is good.  Story is quite big, and hard to follow, as is the huge cast.  It's a good looking picture, well shot, with great stunt work, and nice FX.

It's surprising to me that a first time writer and first time director got the shots here.  Overall, they both did a good job, but in the hands of someone more experienced, things could have been more clear, tighter. I personally had alot of trouble keeping up wit this and that., but in reality, it didn't really take away from the experience, at least not for me.

There are some "dumb" things that take place that definitely wouldn't and I'm sure didn't, but hey, it's an action movie, so no huge problem.  I was expecting a big twist at/near the end, but it never materialized, so maybe that in itself is a good thing, cause it sure looked to me like something was coming.  By not having one, they actually fooled me, and that's impressive.

If this genre is your thang, get out and see this on the big screen.  The many worldwide locations alone make it worth the price of admission...for me, at least.  It's a good, solid action movie that does take itself seriously and actually gets away with it.

Recommended!

This is a remake of a 1975 flick of the same name. I think James Caan was in it.

I always remember that cos I stole the title for a story I wrote in high school!

Did you see the original, bro?

No, this is not a remake of that Peckinpah film.  It's based on real life events and adopted from a book called "The Feathermen".

This flick came across my desk tonight.
A $70 million independent dud.
Sighvatsson Films put the deal together.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0797451/

I met the line producer for this one, he said Joni fell in love with the book.
No studio would take it on, so he pre sold the film throughout Europe.
Took that money and made the picture. Statham pre-sells big in Europe.

The plot was so convoluted there was nary a scene not choked with exposition.
I agree with Jeff, the production is well put together.
Not $70 million put together, but still pretty tight.

Movie could've used a stronger female role.
The gritty shooting style virtually negates the 80's period setting.
Cracking a joke once in a while wouldn't have hurt either.
Considering the talent involved, this one lost its way getting to the big screen.

E.D.