Review of 12 Rounds (2000) by Sean M — 11 Feb 2010
Well I can't believe I'm saying this, but Cena can actually act. I hate his character in the WWE (former WWF and WWWF), he amplifies the annoyance of the "Gangsta" stereotype.
However, in this film he plays his role very well. In many scenes he shows that the character, while strong, quick and smart is very much just a regular guy, as he almost quits several times and the guys around him have to snap him out of it.
Director Renny Harlin has directed several great action films, including Die Hard II: Die Herder and Cliffhanger, so we know this man knows what he is doing.
The plot of the story reminds me of a cross between Speed and the first half of Die Hard: With A Vengeance (which was originally intended for another cat and mouse film). It also gives the villain a sense of emotion, while we do find out his full plan at the end, he chooses Cena because it was Cena's character that caused the death of the woman he loved.
Like I said above Cena does a great job and not much of the action is over the top like most action films tend to get, a few scenes go on the impossible, but that's what makes the action so cool.
Ashley Scott plays the hostage, she also does a great job, she's a headstrong woman, just waiting for her man to save her, but she does get in her licks too. Ashley Scott has been on the TV Series "Birds of Prey" as Helena Kyle-Wayne/The Huntress, so it was nice to see she moved on. Now not many enjoyed this film, because of the cliched plot and some of the action, but really that IS the action genre. You go to see a slasher film, you know you will be seeing over the top gore and plenty of sex, plus almost no storyline, but you'll still enjoy it, right? Well come on.
4 out of 5 stars.
This review of 12 Rounds (2000) was written by Sean M on 11 Feb 2010.
12 Rounds has generally received mixed reviews.
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