Crime dramas and remake films are both a staple item in Hollywood in the past and more so now, but even though these films have been created to entertain the masses, this newer version of "Death Wish" is as timely as it is intense. When the 1974 version was released, times were tough, but now with all the mass shootings and other violent acts in the news, this film is seemingly more relevant today.
Dr. Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) is a surgeon who only sees the aftermath of his city's violence as it's rushed into his ER--until his wife, Lucy (Elisabeth Shue) and college-age daughter, Jordan (Camila Morrone) are viciously attacked in their suburban home. With the police overloaded with crimes, namely detectives Kevin Raines (Dean Norris) and Leonore Jackson (Kimberly Elise), Paul, burning for revenge, hunts for his family's assailants to deliver justice. As the anonymous slayings of criminals grabs the media's attention, the city wonders if this deadly avenger is a guardian angel...or a grim reaper. Fury and fate collide in the intense action-thriller.
Others to round out the cast are Vincent D'Onofrio as Frank Kersey, Paul's brother, Beau Knapp as Knox, Len Cariou as Ben, Jack Kesy as The Fish, Ronnie Gene Blevins as Joe and Kirby Bliss Blanton as Bethany.
This was intensely directed by the filmmaker who markets on intense, Eli Roth ("Cabin Fever" '02, "Hostel" '05, "Grindhouse" (fake trailer segment "Thanksgiving") '07, "Hostel: Part II) '07, "The Green Inferno" '13, "Knock Knock" '15) plus TV and shorts. Considering his resume, this was relatively tamed in its intensity. The subtleness of emotion in Bruce's Dr. Kersey was interesting in that he went from a fearful man not even knowing how to use a gun to this desperate man where he was pushed to shove considering he was a peaceful man trying to live a happy life. This is effective directing. If you like this brand of directing, Roth has "The House with a Clock in its Walls" in post production due with a 2018 release.It was effectively written by Joe Carnahan ("Karate Raider" '95, "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane" '98, "Narc" '02, "Smokin' Aces" '06, "Pride and Glory" '08, "The A-Team" '10, "The Grey" '11) plus TV and shorts. As aforementioned in the preface, this version of the film is definitely a timely one considering the violence of today societally, i.e. mass shootings, gang violence, drug cartels, etc. Even though Carnahan had an original film to work from, he had so much material today to work from, he could have easily added more to the script and still kept that 1974 script intact. If this is the writing you like, Carnahan has three films announced, two films in pre-production and one that is being filmed. Willis gave his usual role we expect from him, although he wasn't a cop or crook where you'd expect him in this type of role, rather he played a person where violence wasn't part of his life, so his evolution toward this grieving, desperate man was a transformation that makes the character that much more credible.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 107mins.
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