Review of Faster (2010) by Dawdlingpoet — 26 Nov 2021

This is very much a fast paced/high octane action film. It features numerous car chases, shootouts/stand offs and the like. Its quite tense in tone and if I were to compare it to another film, the first one to come to mind would be The Transporter. I found it at times a bit hard to fully follow what was happening to which character due to how fast paced it was, with very slick camerawork keeping my eyes glued to 'the box' as they call it (I'll elaborate on this later).

In the background is a constant suspenseful-sounding instrumental, quite similar to the sort of tense music heard during US TV shows such as 24. I found it to be quite an engrossing film.

Thematically speaking, this film is all about revenge and retribution. Ok, so this isn't exactly greatly original ground but it does quite well in showing a reconstruction of what happened to the main character (who doesn't apparently have a name as such) before he went to prison, which is to say the brutal killing of his brother. Also, towards the end, there is a redemption element present, although I won't say for whom, so as hopefully to avoid any potential spoilers.

Cast wise, the main character is played by Dwayne Johnson, aka wrestler 'The Rock', who has appeared in numerous other films. As you may be able to guess from the plot and genre of this film, this role isn't exactly difficult for him and he pulls it off pretty well. Also present is Billy Bob Thornton, Angelina Jolies-ex, who is something of a macho angry guy himself, as a person and his macho-ness does also apply to his character, that of a cop (who, again, I didn't pick up a specific name for). Normally I'd have expected Billy to be playing the quintessential bad guy but there you go. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Maggie Grace, Michael Irby and Oliver Jackson, a British actor who plays the role of the killer aka hitman, who is out to get the main character (if your like me, you may cringe a little at the idea of an Englishman playing one of the bad guys - what a stereotype!).

I felt frustrated that the plot appeared to have numerous holes in it, in as much as the significance of some of the characters passed me by. Its hard to feel particularly emotionally attached to a main character whose past is seemingly so shady and to know that he's chasing everyone who, he believes, has sone him wrong and may have been behind his siblings killing but without really having any insight in to what some of these people did, if you know what I mean. I also felt that it may be hard to believe what really happens is at all possible, not physically but moreso in terms of the one seeking revengence seemingly not being questioned or tackled earlier. Having said all that, while I was watching it, I felt very much engrossed in it and I certainly thought it was well directed, with a good use of background music, some slick camerawork and regardless of plot weaknesses, I still watched it all the way through to the end and thought it was quite entertaining, so I don't feel I can rate it down too far. I suppose you could say that both the story and how its played out has a wild west feel to it, although its (obviously) set in the modern day. Content wise, unsurprisingly this film features strong violence, strong language and drug references. There is some mild nudity and sex references but nothing too graphic. Due to this, the film carries a 15 rating.

This film is approximately one and a half hours long and as such it is quite short and snappy but for me I appreciated this. It has somewhat of a poignant ending and is perhaps a bit thought-provoking at the most.

Yes I'd recommend this film as its quite engrossing and features some good camerawork and a good use of background music. Its only an hour and thirty five minutes long, so its quite short and snappy and it kept me watching until the end, so I'd say if this appeals to you then its worth looking out for. Its not perfect, there are some issues with plot holes and a lack of originality but generally its a good watch.