Review of Faster (2010) by Danny R — 28 Dec 2011

A solid no-nonsense fast-paced revenge thriller in which Dwayne Johnson makes a welcome return to the action genre in full force, as a convicted bank robber named Driver who served 10 years in prison, and is now released and seeking deadly retribution on those responsible for selling him and his beloved big brother out, after a bank robbery in which they were ripped off for the money, and then his brother is murdered right in front of him, before he himself is shot in the head and left for dead.

Kudos must go to Johnson for delivering a intense and totally engrossing performance as Driver, a physically imposing anti-hero who is completely unstoppable in the pursuit of his vengeance. Billy Bob Thornton turns in a first-rate performance as a sleazy, drug-addicted cop, as does Carla Gugino in a terrific turn as a female cop in charge of the case of the killings caused by Driver and Oliver Jackson-Cohen who is brilliantly chilling as a cold-blooded narcissistic hitman assigned to kill Driver, there are other superb supporting performances from Moon Bloodgood, Maggie Grace, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Tom Berenger, Mike Epps and Xander Berkeley.

Outstanding cinematography by Michael Grady with sharp editing by Dirk Westervelt. A very satisfying gritty and worth while action thriller. Highly Recommended.