Faster (R)

Hmm. What to say about a movie like Faster besides that it’s exactly what it should be. I doubt that Faster was looking for any Oscar or Golden Globe buzz. Dwayne the Rock Johnson gets into his type-casting boots again as an angry, muscly man being released from prison. No names are given for any of the main characters. Johnson is just “Driver”, Billy Bob Thorton is “Cop”, etc. For the first time in his career, Billy Bob Thorton seems like he’s phoning it in a little here.

The quick-paced direction and adrenaline fueled violence was probably an attempt at originality, but it comes off like a straight to DVD ripoff of Kill Bill or Crank. Not to say it’s a total rip off. It’s a solid action movie. Dwayne does his thing as he seeks revenge for the death of his brother. Four men were responsible for his death, and Driver makes a list of all of them before setting out on his vicious adventure. The originality wears off after nothing really original happens. But, if you’re bored on a Friday night and want to watch something entertaining, pick it up.

Rent It