Review of Blood Father (2016) by Thequietgamer — 01 Jun 2018

In a time where it seems like every movie that hits theaters is another relatively safe mix of familiar action, comedy, and adventure it's nice to come across something relatively recent that has some grit to it. This violent and profanity-ridden tale of fatherly love shows Mel Gibson at the top of his game. The seedy world his character dives back into and the past mistakes he most overcome in order to save his daughter from the criminals who want her dead makes Liam Neeson in Taken look like a lightweight for how together his everyday life is.

It's a flawed character that Gibson embodies so perfectly. There's a lot of emotion, regret, and anger in his performance. The actor still has a great presence as the kind of person you don't want to mess with. He's got skills and is more than a little crazy. However, there's depth to him as well. Needless to say Mel carries the movie. He's the blunt instrument for the brutality and clever obscenities and the film's heart and soul all in one. It's a letdown that Erin Moriarty couldn't bolster all of this in her role as the daughter. She's got a pretty face, but boy can she not act. It kind of hurts the effectiveness of the themes of familial reconciliation and the scenes of her own personal turmoil when she can't give back what Gibson is putting in.

With a respectable 88 minute running time Blood Father moves at a brisk pace, keeping the brutality and drama center stage at all times. Some acting woes aside this is a highly enjoyable action-thriller where flawed characters are given opportunities to redeem themselves. Ironically by getting their hands dirty (or dirtier) again. The bond between the estranged father and daughter is the core of the film. Thanks to Mel Gibson's outstanding performance it strongly succeeds in providing a quality viewing experience.