Review of Death Sentence (2007) by Jason A — 08 Apr 2011

Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) lives and works with his family in Columbus, South Carolina where he has as near to ideal life as anyones likely to get, this movie being title "Death Sentence" we know thats pretty much going to be shit on within the first 15 minutes and so it does when Nick's eldest son is murdered by a gang of street thugs. Angered by the possibility of a plea bargan for the killer (3-5 years) he refuses to testify, instead seeking out the killer and exacting a more personal brand of justice...unfortunatly for Nick the killer's friends led by his brother (Garrett Hedlund) now want Nick and his family dead...

Very loosely based on Brian Garfields novel Death Sentence (the sequal to his earlier novel Death Wish filmed by Charles Bronson), the film staddles the line between exploitation (some kick ass action scene) and introspection (they way Nick reacts after his first killing, how things escalate). The downtown chase and the asylum shootout are standouts (directed suberbly by James Wan who also did the original Saw). The score and cinematography complement the performances perfectly. Well the family is underwritten, Kevin Bacon gives a good perfermance as everyman who turnesnightmarish avenger, Garrett Hedlund on the other hand (as leader of the viscious cannon fodder gang) aequits himself well though the role comes perilously close to cartoonish even with scenes designed to humanize him (awwww he misses his lil'brother...should have read your Bible "Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword" ect), John Goodman pops up as Hedlund's father slash gun dealer in a role that pretty much is a cartoon (I suppose the writers wanted to show us that Hedlund and co where a product of their enviroment) and Aisha Tyler plays one of the most useless cops in cinema (what with the Columbus PD's response time, see the downtown chase, its a wonder everyone isn't carrying a gun), who's job it is to bitch at Keven Bacon (Bacon: How do I stop this?, Tyle: Did You Start it?....ummm no woman the guys who cut off the man's son's head started this) even after SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER the gang breaks into Bacons house (killing two cops) and shooting his wife and other kid execution style she still can't work up a response other then to give Bacon grief (really? 2 of your co-workers just had their throats cut going to show even a hint of emotion). I'm not sure whos fault this is Tylers or the writers but her role could have been played by anybody without the movie gaining or losing anything (shit coulda replaced her with a cardboard cutout). Despite its flaws I'd have to recommend it as a worthy addition to the Vigalante genre...cathartic if not uplifting.

Side Note.

Try quoteing these words aloud during the scene where kevin bacon leaves the hospital after talking to Aisha Tyler and its raining well the score plays.

"And Caesar's spirit, raging for revenge,.

With Atë' by his side come hot from Hell,.

Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice.

Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war, ...