Review of Pain & Gain (2013) by Matt W — 19 Apr 2014

I wanted to like this. I really did.

Yet every time Michael Bay made an interesting choice, he would then make a choice that I found either stupid, forced or just plain unnecessary.

The film tries to make these three characters likeable, but it never achieves this feat. The film glorifies everything, but doesn't show any consequences.

Spring Breakers is an example of a film that glorifies violence and drugs, but makes everything feel wrong beneath it all. While with this film, it just feels like a mess. The story is a dark story that just doesn't feel right being mocked- however I think it would be all right if the film was fun or well-made.

The Wolf of Wall Street is a perfect example of a film that glorifies all the bad things in this world, but makes everything feel like it matters. This film just isn't good.

I didn't care for any of the characters. I didn't care for the characters. There were moments where bay nearly grasped at some interesting ideas, but I just didn't 'Gain' much for this 'Pain-fully' over-long film. I did it. I went there.