HOMEFRONT
By: John ’Doc’ Strange
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Writers: Sylvester Stallone (screenplay), Chuck Logan (based on the novel by)
Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth, Frank Grillo, Izabela Vidovic, Marcus Hester, Clancy Brown
MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief sexuality)
Selig Rating: FULL PRICE
Runtime: 100 Min.
Jason Statham. He has joined that elite group of action star like Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone. His films are going to be fast paced and filled with amazing fight sequences. He will have hot love interests and see his naked chest at least once during the movie.
Homefront is an exception to this rule. At least as far as the love interests and partial nudity are concerned. Action? This film has action in spades! The movie opens with DEA agent Phil Broker (Jason Statham) working undercover to bring down a motorcycle gang who are drug runners. During the takedown the gang leader’s son pulls of stupid move with a slew of officers pointing weapons on him resulting in his gruesome bloody death. The gang leader swears that Broker is going to die for killing his son.
Jump forward a couple of years to see that Phil has resigned from the DEA to take care of his 10-year-old daughter, Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). They have moved to a small Louisiana town where Phil has a small business doing construction. Maddy is going to grade school where she tries to get along with other kids.
When Maddy is bullied by one of the local boys she gives him two chances to stop and then defends herself taking him down, hard. Unfortunately for her, the boy’s mother, Cassie (Kate Bosworth), is the druggie sister of the local drug lord, Gator Bodine (James Franco). To add insult to injury for Cassie, her husband Jimmy (Marcus Hester) gets handed his ass when he swings on Phil in front of the Sheriff (Clancy Brown).
Pushed to action by his sister, Gator discovers Phil’s law enforcement past. He calls in a friend, Sheryl (Winona Ryder), to be the middle person as he brokers a deal with a certain jailed biker gang leader. They trade the location of Phil for the right to push their drugs. (NOTE: If you have snuck your younger children into this film, COVER THEIR EYES when Sheryl arrives at Gator’s place of business.
The action is well choreographed and fast paced. The story is stronger than I expected when I walked into the theater. I think this is your action option for this holiday season. Take your significant other to see one of the wholesome sweet films and then see Homefront as the change of pace you will need to keep your heart pounding.
Movie Site: http://Facebook.com/HomefrontMovie
The Selig Rating Scale:
FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price
MATINEE – Good movie
DOLLAR – OK movie
CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.
FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.
GET YOUR TORCHES – BAD! – Burn the script, the writer, the director and maybe even the actors!
