If your kid gets dropped in a fight at school, don’t call your drug-dealing brother to make things right. It will not end well.
If you read my Transporter review, you know I have some serious respect for Jason Statham. Easily one of the best action stars today, entertainment is always in the cards when it comes to Statham, which is why when I was scrolling through Netflix, Homefront jumped out to me. It’s Statham, guys! If you’re looking for a good time that doesn’t ask for too much from you as a viewer, a Statham film is always an option. Chances are you’ll have fun with it, although to what degree is something you’ll have to find out for yourself. On a rare occasion, you’ll enter a Statham movie you hate. For example, don’t watch this or this, especially the second one, although I might watch it again just so I can rail on it for your enjoyment (I did). Those are the only two I’ve regretted with Statham thus far and when your success rate with me is eight for ten, I’m going to keep watching.
Also figuring into the equation is Sylvester Stallone. Stallone and Statham have become good friends since the making of The Expendables and join forces again here. Stallone was Statham before Statham was Statham and I think that’s why they get along so well, because they seek the same type of roles and have the same attitude to their work. That being said, Statham’s got all the screen to himself on this shoot because Stallone’s responsibilities are as the screenwriter and producer. Scripts by Stallone are hit-or-miss but people continue to see his work anyway because of the icon he’s become. No one wants to miss a masterpiece that may or may not arise from the author of the Rocky and Rambo franchises.
My respect for these two guys is through the roof because of their work ethic, character and the roles they play. Easily two of my favorites right here.
All that being said, I did not pursue Homefront when it came out. It just didn’t look like that great of a film. I’ll always love Statham but I’ve discovered his movies are not usually ones worth seeing in theaters. They’re the ones you seek out the year after their release when they’re at Walmart for $5 or on Netflix, which I’m really happy I’m subscribed to now.
Statham’s movies don’t make barrels of cash at the box office and there’s a reason for that. I think people such as myself have realized they’re films worth waiting for. Other films you just can’t wait. For example, everyone is going to see Expendables 3 because no one wants to wait to see that (we should have waited). The bank deposit for that movie will be sizable.
Statham’s movies differ because while you probably won’t see them at the theater, you’re bound to see them eventually. I don’t know a lot of people who haven’t seen a Statham role-play. When you’re hanging out with friends and you’re scrolling through lists of movies to watch, Statham shows up with his British accent saying, “Hey, you wanna take a ride?”
Keeping all that in mind, Homefront highlights a few big names but doesn’t give them a lot to do. I believe Winona Ryder was meant to ascribe “visual quality” rather than her acting prowess. Kate Bosworth plays the venomous mother of the son who gets a beatdown in the playground and brews hate in the audience. She’s one of those parents who thinks she’s perfect and everyone else is wrong. I don’t like those people.
Statham is Statham and gives it his all, reveling in the spotlight while emanating a character I think is closely associated with himself. A simple life for a simple man is all Phil Broker wants for himself and his little girl but a face-off with a bully ascends to something much more than that, all because Kate Bosworth had to take things personally. The sad thing is this scenario is credible considering all the other dumb stuff people do these days. There is some page-turning tension here as you see events continue to unfold into bigger and badder things. With that being said, you wonder where this is going to go. Is there going to be some big explosive third act or is Broker just going to beat a couple of guys senseless and ride into the sunset? Advances in character are made while we wait to see what happens.
James Franco is our villain and does nothing for me….again. I just don’t get the flavoring, the sinister vibe from Franco here. He doesn’t seem interested in doing any of the dirty work, making him more of a weasel than a face worthy of standing across from Statham’s Broker. Some blame can certainly go to the writing of his character but Franco’s lackluster effort is also worth noting.
A subplot of romance is hinted with Broker but is never explored, something that would have distracted from the meandering of this plot at the halfway point. I wouldn’t have minded a little romance either because you don’t see Statham get emotional much if at all in his roles.
Frank Grillo provides what might have been a beacon of light for audiences given his aptitude but to our dismay is a false hope, playing an angry biker whose only meaningful line of dialogue is “Where’s the narc?”
The third act is sure to disappoint everyone and excite no one. The only success the third act can boast is anchoring this film rather than getting it off the ground, certifying Homefront‘s status as one of the forgettable films of 2013.
Once again, if you’re new to my blog, I’ve always ranked movies on a scale of 0-100 (I don’t know why, I just always have). Here’s the grading scale.
90-100 It’s a great movie and definitely one worth buying. (Guardians of the Galaxy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Jack Reacher, Godzilla)
80-89 It was a pretty good movie and definitely one worth seeing, but it doesn’t quite scratch my top ten percentile. (Tears of the Sun, Edge of Tomorrow, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Young Guns, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2)
70-79 It’s okay but I’ve seen better. It has its moments, but it has its flaws, too.(Red Dawn(2012), Maleficent, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Transporter 2, Battle: Los Angeles)
60-69 It’s got plenty wrong with it but I still got enjoyment out of this one. (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Transporter, Speed, Godzilla(1998), The Incredible Hulk)
50-59 This movie isn’t intolerable but it’s not blowing my mind either. I’m trying really hard to get some sort of enjoyment out of this. (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Vantage Point, The Starving Games, You’re Next, Thor)
40-49 This movie is just mediocre. It’s not doing anything other than the bare minimal, so morbidly boring that sometimes I’m actually angry I watched this. (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Billy Madison, A Haunted House, 300: Rise of an Empire, Cowboys and Aliens)
30-39 Definitely worse than mediocre, the 30′s ironically define the 1930′s, full of depression, lack of accomplishments, poverty and just so dumb. (Planet of the Apes, Stonados, Redemption, Pride and Prejudice, The Contract)
20-29 What did I just watch? Cliches, stupidity, nothingness, did I mention stupidity? Just…wow. (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Thor: The Dark World, The Sum of All Fears)
0-19 Watching this movie resulted in one or more of the following: seizure, loss of brain cells, falling asleep/unconsciousness, feel you wasted your time/day, accomplished nothing for you, left the movie knowing less about it then you did going into it, constantly asking yourself why you came to see this movie, or near-death experience. In short, staring at a wall was just as entertaining as watching this movie. This movie deserved a sticker or a label that said, “WARNING: EXTREME AMOUNT OF SUCKAGE.” (Watchmen, Clash of the Titans, A Haunted House 2, Open Grave, Alien 3)
My score for Homefront: 58.
Potential was there but Stallone does a poor job of utilizing it. The cast list may read nice but doesn’t come to fruition. Truthfully, the achievement that Homefront can boast the most is its ability to deceive and ensnare potential viewers into thinking it’s something more than it is.
wordsofwistim 