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Hollywood has made action movies about as long as any genre out there--even before all the wizardry of the visual effects companies. The genre is as old as sliced bread itself. Along with the genre, we have seen a plethora of action stars that have come out of obscurity: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Channing Tatum, even Harrison Ford in his earlier years. Another one that has been on that list, but is an action star gaining more notoriety is Jason Statham. His next film, "Homefront" shows what he does best, which is predictable, but effective.

Phil Broker (Statham) is a former DEA agent who has gone through a crisis after his action against a biker gang went horribly awry and cost the life of his boss' son, Jojo Turrie (Linds Edwards). He is recently widowed and is left with a 9-year-old daughter, Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). He decides to quit the turbulent and demanding life of adrenaline for Maddy's sake and retires to a small town. As his daughter fights off a boy, Terry Klum (Austin Craig) who was bullying her at school, this then sets in motion a round of events that end in his direct confrontation with the local Meth drug lord, Morgan 'Gator' Bodine (James Franco). His past history with the biker gang, lead up now by Cyrus Hanks (Frank Grillo) also enters the arena, making matters more complex. But Broker has a mission in his mind to protect his daughter and he is ready to pay any cost that it demands.

Others to round out the cast are Kate Bosworth as Cassie Bodine Klum, Gator's sister, Marcus Hester as Jimmy Klum, Gator's brother-in-law, Clancy Brown as Sheriff Keith Rodrigue, Winona Ryder as Sheryl Marie Mott, girlfriend of Gator's, Omar Benson Miller as Teedo, Rachelle Lefevre as Susan Hetch, Chuck Zito as 'Danny T' Turrie, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Werks, and Owen Harn as Clay.

This is directed by Gary Fleder ("Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" '95, "Kiss the Girls" '97, "Falcone" (TV movie) 2000, "Don't Say a Word" '01, "Impostor" '01, R.U.S./H."   (TV movie) '02, "Runaway Jury" '03, "The Express" '08, "Identity" '10), and looking at his resume, he definitely likes to stay in his comfort zone. Certainly this is a safe move, but sometimes it pays to venture out a bit, lest we become stale in what we do. It was written by the action king himself, Sylvester Stallone ("Rocky" '76, "Rocky II" '79, "Rocky III" '82, "First Blood" '82, "Rocky IV" '85, "Rambo III" '88, "Rocky V" '90, "Cliffhanger" '93, "Driven" '01, "Rocky Balboa" (Characters) '06, "Rambo" '08, "The Expendables" '10, "The Expendables 2" '12). Stallone has certainly been around the block for decades writing screenplays, and even though none have been of Academy Award caliber, over the years he knows how to breathe life into an otherwise stale script like so many action films are today. I guess practice makes perfect. And this film is certainly better with Stallone's 'stamp' on it. It isn't a great film, but one that excels considering what's out there in the same genre. This is based on the novel by Chuck Logan.

Most guys between the age of 18-35 will love this if for no other reason than that of the 'good vs. evil' premise which dates back to year one, but with the perennial favorite of this genre-- Stallone, how could they go wrong?

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                        Rated: R                         100mins.