Review of Haywire (2011) by Nevermindpopfil — 15 Feb 2012

The world of espionage has changed, it is now mostly ran by private contracting firms. Firms about liability clauses and the money that comes from ignoring due diligence. Along with that sort of money comes smarmy bosses like Kenneth (a resplendently despicable Ewan McGregor). Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is tired of Kenneth, his lackeys and his poor work ethic. Trust is a valuable commodity in her field and trust, it seems, is in short supply. So she is getting out for good. Or so she thinks.

The spy film has worn the tread off its tires and given Steven Soderbergh's propensity for add style and flair to even the stodgiest genre. Telling Mallory's story in separate pieces keeps the audience from anticipating too much of what comes ahead, but we all know this much: hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And this woman fights; she does it because it is honest. Brutally honest. You can't fake your way through a fight and that is what Mallory has to her advantage: you can't lie or cheat your way to winning.

Soderbergh's capturing of fight sequences in Haywire is a sight to be seen. Every punch thrown sends the viewer back into his/her seat. He doesn't cut away from the action and in doing so captures what few action films do: raw intensity. The sound mixing leaves every bone-crunch, connected kick, and broken vase felt. Mallory Kane is the best at what she does and what she does is kick ass.

Featuring an Ocean's 11-level assemblage of stars like Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas and Michael Douglas, Haywire's cast fires on all cylinders.