HAYWIRE (PG13)
Release Date: 1 February 2012
Running Time: 93 minutes
Distributor: Relativity Media
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Screenplay: Lem Dobbs
Starring: Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Gina Carano
Plot: This dynamic action-thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, Michael Douglas, Michael Angarano; and introduces MMA superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts. Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive REVIEWS AFTER THE JUMP
Review: ‘Haywire’ is the latest offering from the some-sort-of-style director named Steven Soderbergh whose last movie was merely few months ago entitled ‘Contagion’. That disaster flick with a star-studded non-action line up played as a thriller that eventually unable to fill my cup of tea – though it still earned some respectable points from me. Hence, here comes ‘Haywire’ with some little faith that I am hoping this one would be much more alike any mainstream actions but this is Soderbergh we are talking about. What is the result of ‘Haywire’ – a messed up thriller or a bad-ass thriller?
Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is a black op member of a CIA team who worked under the direction of her former boss and lover Kenneth (Ewan McGregor); whose last job of rescuing a Chinese national whistle blower journalist in Barcelona ended at the wrong side. Mallory is now accused of murdering the journalist and realizing it was all a set up; she takes a vow to take down those who have crossed over her, including Kenneth. Suddenly, the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth behind the recent events in order to stay alive.
When the trailer first came out, Soderbergh promised an exciting line-up of great male casting with some serious fighting scenes that galloped viewers into real kick ass moments. Both arrive on some spectacular notch, but it ends up been a waste on how the plot is thrown around. ‘Haywire’ is an interesting movie that gets it all just stop right at there. ‘Haywire’ could have been a more solid action feast highlighting the dirty and dark secrets of the CIA like the ‘Bourne’ trilogy, but it ended up been a haywire action thriller, to a surprise liking itself to its own name.
It is interesting than the fact that almost the whole chunk of the plot is quite unoriginal. It rips off some part that looks like a standard story line about one (wo)man taking down the entire operation with a fist of revenge – unmistakably ‘Bourne’ type of vendetta. The mediocre plot is further dampened by a convoluted timeline story-telling that has more style than real substance.
Adding to that certain amount of confusing back story is the lack of proper intention and evident motivation. What’s the clear intention of killing Mallory in the first place? Not explained delicately! What’s the clear motivation behind all the mess? Because of one anonymous guy who shows up towards the finale? Clearly, despite its attempt to make a complex structure behind ‘Haywire’, the story is actually quite loose. It consists of plenty of roadblocks if not holes and certainly a high amount of doubts. With doubts, there will be some non-senses, and yes I am not sure whether I will disclose them all in the attempt to make this review as little spoilers as possible.
Perhaps, the only good thing about it is the fact that it has a lineup of awesome casting. Michael Fassbender has a meteoric rising year with some of the spectacular roles of the year, and he did himself some ass been kicked. Ewan McGregor is not disappointing, but his character is limited by the script. Channing Tatum is an indecisive fool but an important corner stone between the good and bad. Last but not least, the main lead herself - Gina Carano. Gina is not a pro actress and please excuse her in that any awkward scenes she has to end up with.
What’s more outstanding than this line up is the effective use of fight scenes. Gina is a MMA (stands for mixed martial art) exponent who does her job pretty simple and believing with all the moves. She basically kicks ass around but despite having good moves herself; I have some issues with the camera works. It either don’t zoom on the choreography so well or highly probable that the cameramen are having ADHD (stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in shooting at steady angles coupling with poor editing thereafter.
In the end, ‘Haywire’ is a sub par action thriller that felts wholly unoriginal, convoluting and mediocre writing; but it has a great casting ensemble and fighting scenes living up to its name.
MY RATING:
Story: 2.0
Casts: 3.0
Cinematography: 4.0
Effects: 3.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 10.0/20.0
'HAYWIRE' is showing nationwide.