“Law Abiding Citizen” (Movie Review)

Jamie Foxx would've looked at the screen, but he probably got distracted thinking about the serenade he gave/received from Fantasia a while back.

Remember earlier this year I posted a music review for SlaughterHouse? And I pretty much gushed about how I loved everything about it, and it REALLY sounded like a fan boy reviewing the album even though I was being as completely unbiased as possible? That’s about to happen again.

Right now.

“Law Abiding Citizen”, starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, is one of the best movies (if not THE best movie) I’ve seen this year. Thriller/Dramas can be good, but this one had no mistakes.

The Good: I don’t want to ruin the plot of this movie, but one of the things this movie does is somewhat blur the line between good and bad. Technically there’s not a REAL bad guy except the ones in the first four minutes of the movie…which, by the way, is INTENSELY TRAGIC, but motivates the rest of the story. It calls out the justice system in a way that’s different, but extremely effective. Let’s just say… you’ll get the idea about halfway through the movie.

The acting is great, and as great of an actor that Jamie Foxx is, Gerard Butler proves (AGAIN) he belongs on the big screen. He was great in “300”, he was better in “Gamer” (seriously, “Gamer” was solid), and this is one of those movie roles that could open him up to star in a LOT of movies in the future. I’m officially a fan of him. That’s not saying that Jamie didn’t do well, however. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t a bad actor in this whole movie. They all did extremely well, so if you’re looking for a flaw in that regard you won’t find it.

The Bad: This movie pulls on almost every emotion you own, from comedy, to sadness, to betrayal, and even the reaction you get from seeing the aftermath of a man cut into 25 pieces…

…wait, I mean horror. I meant to say horror. The last part could be filed under “horror” definitely. Also, I must state that this is not a kid’s movie. It’s rated R for language and violence, easily.

Actually, he doesn't look too happy either...

I feel bad for the cameraman he's mean-mugging...

The Spartan: Ever since Gerard Butler’s appearance in “300”, I’ve grown more and more impressed with his acting skills. Anybody could act in front of a green screen wearing a man-cloth , but the way he acted in this movie was nothing short of award-winning. Besides, whenever Roger Ebert starts using words no normal human being would even think of saying (his words: “‘Law Abiding Citizen’ is a taut thriller about a serial killer in reverse…”), you know it’s something notable to at least keep an eye on.

{Note: For the record, I don’t read his reviews. I just thought the first line was funny and I researched it because of what my friend told me, but he’s proved to me over the years that we almost completely disagree in movie taste. To each his own.}

Bottom Line: I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. There’s nothing bad I can say about it. There’s an explanation for everything that happens in the movie EXCEPT the consequences of one of the last scenes, but that was the point of the whole movie: justice. And it was served, regardless of the circumstances. My recommendation: go see “Law Abiding Citizen”…

…And then afterwards, check your car, cell phone, and don’t go through any cemeteries on your way home.

—–> Final Rating: 4.9 / 5 <—–

Movie Afterthoughts: …The cell phone scene in the court room comes full circle in a way that made the entire theater FLIP OUT… I was with two of my friends and we all jumped and swore when it happened. I’ll admit it… Do not get emotionally attached to anyone in this movie… Don’t OVERTHINK in this movie either, it stays focused on the topic… The Mayor of the city is a lady, and she reminds me of my Auntie for all the wrong reasons. Kind of scary…. It bothers me the official title for the movie is “Law Abiding Citizen” and not “Law-Abiding Citizen”. Yes, the hyphen omission bothers me. I’m a nerd sometimes, so what…Usually it makes me cringe in movies when people reference the title, but it fit this time…Anyone remember when Jamie Foxx only did comedy roles? He’s come a long way… Anyone remember when Gerard Butler only did roles as a naked Spartan? He’s come a long way… Who uses the word “taut” in normal conversation??…