Review of Stand Off (2012) by Brendan N — 22 Mar 2014

I expected a little more from a film but it was to safely played to be anything more then just time filler. the problem for me was that it was quite similiar to the far superior Van Damme film JVCD.

The film is well acted but the characters are very thin and are unable to offer anything deeper. Fraser is likable but the promise of a two dimensional quickly unfolds as a boring subplot for him. Colm Meaney has always been a strong actor with comedy skills but he can't even add to a film this slowly created.

The direction is quite pedestrian which Terry George also helped write. the showing of a fun irish caper should of been fun and something quite different. the characters aren't eventful and don't allow any of them to shine through. the film could of been something Guy Richie would of created but this film lacks the stand out characters.

There are some fun moments but it all adds to nothing.

Brendan Fraser normally creates some fun but forgettable films but here this film isn't memorable at the least. I really would have liked a film with well rounded characters and a plot worthy of the time invested. I thought this would be a uncovered gem instead of a direct to dvd forgettable adventure.