Review of The Condemned (2007) by Luke P — 19 Aug 2008

Have you ever got on your knees, looked up to the heavens and prayed for WWE superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin and football hardman Vinnie Jones to collaborate? Well your prayers have been answered, courtesy of WWE film's The Condemned.

Basically Battle Royale but with the school children replaced by ten of the world's worst criminals, if you can look past this unoriginal plotline then there is a lot of fun to be had from watching The Condemned.

Steve Austin was always one of the more convincing and charismatic wrestling personalities, and he brings all of that into this film, managing to be funny while naturally kicking ass (a verbal exchange with one of the guards is a thing of beauty.

"I'm from a little town north of Anchorage, it's called fuck your momma!"). Vinnie Jones is also hilarious, gloriously over the top as he spits out every line with his cockney venom.

There's plenty of impressive action (director Scott Wiper stretching his slightly limited budget well), while if you enjoy graphic depictions of violence towards women then you will be in your element.

Overall, a big silly action film, gloriously over the top while never taking itself too seriously. It has everything I love about the action genre, plus Dee from Neighbours! Watch it.