Based on star power alone, you'd think this would be a successful action thriller, right?  Oh wait a minute...you've never even heard of it?  Hmmm...what went wrong?

We've got a very strong cast here who all deliver solid performances - Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Jordi Molla, Alice Eve, Gal Gadot, Michael Pitt, and a bunch of other actors you'll recognize right away.

We've got a script written by Douglas Cook and David Weisberg, who you should recognize as the writers of The Rock (1996) and Double Jeopardy (1999) - 2 entertaining action flicks from the 90's.

Finally, we've got a $32 Million budget and the whole flick is shot overseas, meaning, the money most likely went further.  But so far, after 2 1/2 weeks at the BO, it's only pulled in $13.6 Million.

Well, we have numerous problems here, sorry to say, but overall, I have no problem admitting I enjoyed this and wish we had more releases like it.

The title is very poor and doesn't give much away about what this is about.  The marketing was very poor, and I wasn't even aware of its release.  The plot is all over the board and really just moves too fast in too many different directions.

As I watched, I had mixed feelings - some things were handled very well, while others came out of left field.  Action was strong, bloody, and well handled, but then we'd have a slow scene with a completely different vibe and feel.

It's the kind of plot/story that requires 20+ SUPERs just so the viewing audience has a chance to follow what's going on, where we are, and who's who.

But...damn...you know what?  I like Kevin Costner.  I've liked pretty much everything he's done and sometimes, it's because of the persona he carries.  He just seems like a cool dude and whether he's a badass or a good guy stuck in something bad, I can't help but see his star power shine, and he owns this movie in a performance that some will find over the top, but for me, he nailed it, because of his human side.

I'm not going to go into the plot or story at all, but I will say although this is very violent and filled with action, it also shows and deals with human emotion and some truly touching scenes.

Hard for me to grade it, as story-wise, it's redonkulous, but viewing-wise, it's a screamer.

Grade - B

Taste is such a personal thing. I think Costner has always been a mediocre actor that got lucky by being in some damn good films..

Just have to chime in briefly, Jeff, and I haven't seen the movie. With that said, it's a pretty solid review.

Quoted from Dreamscale We've got a script written by Douglas Cook and David Weisberg, who you should recognize as the writers of The Rock (1996)

It should be known that The Rock is not their movie, it's Jonathan Hensleigh's. I don't care what the credits say. See, the only reason they bothered me is that this has happened to him his whole career. He only seems to get credit for the movies which were terrible and taken away from him. Just had to say it.

Quoted from eldave1 Taste is such a personal thing. I think Costner has always been a mediocre actor that got lucky by being in some damn good films..

Yeah, literally, from '87 to '91, he must've had--then abruptly fired--the best agent in the world.

Hopefully this doesn't derail the thread, but if it does, I'll delete this post.

I didn't see the movie but I could only get through about half the script. Thought it was kinda boring. Maybe it plays better on screen or I was reading an early draft... but to your original point I think Costner's just not a box office draw these days. I'm with you on him being talented and having a commanding presence on screen. But in my opinion he's just not the same anymore.

And when you have a has-been lead (at least I think that's the general public consensus) combined with tepid critical reception (32% on Rotten Tomatoes) that's bound to doom it to obscurity. But I'll definitely check it out when it hits DVD since you think highly of it.

Quoted from MarkItZero ... but to your original point I think Costner's just not a box office draw these days. I'm with you on him being talented and having a commanding presence on screen. But in my opinion he's just not the same anymore.

Agreed...he's very different, but as we age, we all become different.  Some "stars" try and hang onto their youth and some are successful, while others look ridiculous trying.  For his age, I think Costner looks good and still has his shine on.

Quoted from MarkItZero And when you have a has-been lead (at least I think that's the general public consensus) combined with tepid critical reception (32% on Rotten Tomatoes) that's bound to doom it to obscurity.

Kind of agree here.  The real culprit was the marketing.  It opened in 2,700 theaters, but as far as I know, no one was aware of it being released, or what it was, once it was out.

Quoted from MarkItZero But I'll definitely check it out when it hits DVD since you think highly of it.

I can't say I think very highly of it and IMO, the script is a complete mess.  What I did enjoy was the frenetic energy, it oozed, as well as the performances and action.  It's one of those movies that most will hate in public, but watch when it's on in private.

I don't think Kevin Costner is a great actor, but I kinda like him. I find him easy to watch in movies. He doesn't bother me, he's kinda there but... he's Okay. Has some level of charisma.

I also kinda enjoyed this movie. It was not a great one but I kept thinking about the first time watching the Long Kiss Goodnight. I saw it as a boy in 1996 and this movie reminded me of it. It was like a throwback action flick. I also kept thinking From Paris with Love.

It also looks a lot a like another Ryan.R. that came out like a year ago, Self/Less.