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Law Abiding Citizen

Suspenseful as heck. Disturbing at times. And two great leading men. Pretty good formula to keep my interest.

Movie Details

Rated: R

Run Time: 1 hr 48 min

Release Date: 10/16/2009

Genre: Drama

Writer: Kurt Wimmer

Director: F Gary Gray

Watch the Trailer

Synopsis

Gerard Butler (The Ugly Truth) and Jamie Foxx (The Soloist) star in the suspense thriller about a man seeking vengeance after his wife and little girl are murdered right in front of him. And because justice was not on the victim's side, he takes the law into his own hands.

Review

WOW! Now, if you thought the mafia knows about vengeance, then you need to see Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler, Rocknroller) in action. He’s psychotic with his retribution. I mean I can’t blame him for wanting to see justice prevail against the two men who murdered his lovely wife and daughter, but he wants everyone in the justice system to be punished and especially his lawyer Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx, The Soloist). Nick is a strictly by the case lawyer who is all about his conviction rate. His motto is "Some justice is better than no justice." He figured it would be best to deal instead of Clyde testifying and letting a jury decide the verdict for the defendants. Please!

That’s Law Abiding Citizen in nutshell without giving too much away. There are always movies about revenge because someone’s family was killed – Max Payne, The Punisher and the list go on. However, Clyde takes it to another level – sociopathic level. Butler does a great job in this role. He and Foxx play well together. Oh, and Viola Davis (Doubt) as the mayor is a nice treat. She’s so dynamic. I really like sistagirl.

This film is entertaining and disturbing at times. I closed my eyes here and there. It’s rated R probably for some of the violent, sick and twisted scenes. I know this much, I surely wouldn’t want Clyde angry with me. I’m sure it would be lights out. This man is highly intelligent and dangerous. If he wants you dead, you'll be dead. For him, justice may be blind, but it definitely can see in the dark. I guess Clyde has some night vision.

Citizen is suspenseful and some scenes are unexpected which left me with my mouth open. You know a sista needs some twist, turns and shock moments. This film is not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination. There are scenes where I was thinking my famous three words – COME ON NOW! But, I still enjoyed it.

I felt very conflicted at times with whose side I was on. The hot shot Lawyer seemed like an antagonist that I often wanted to back-hand a couple of time while the grieving, angered man-on-fire appeared to be the protagonist. Then bam... it was totally flipped on its head.

I guess the question is, what would you do if your spouse and beautiful child were murdered? I know I wouldn't become a serial killer.


My Rating ~ 4 Reels

4 - Watch in the theater

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)

Reel Talk

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