Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Sylvain White
Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoë Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Holt McCallany, Oscar Jaenada, Jason Patric
RunTime: 1 hr 37 mins
Released By: Warner Bros
Rating: PG (Violence & Some Sexual References)
Official Website: http://www.the-losers.com/

Opening Day: 13 May 2010

Synopsis:

An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, “The Losers” centers around the members of an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission.  But the team-Clay Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar-soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross, instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max.

Now presumed dead, the group makes plans to avenge themselves and clear their names, joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda.  Working together, they must remain deeply undercover while tracking the shadowy and heavily guarded Max-a ruthless man bent on embroiling the world in a new high-tech global war for his own benefit.

Movie Review:

Don't get me wrong, i'm surely going to get a hell of a thunderous flame-ons, get boo-ed off stage with echoes from the audience to stick to my deep analogy film that's oscar worthy but this movie is a flat-out B-grade film with a deep pocket. I love my fair share of explosions and gun-blazers (Bring it on Jerry and Michael!) but it kinda felt that all the booms and bangs were made to distract us from the awful story arc which was loosely based on a DC Vertigo comic.

Its a pretty straight forward plot to decipher. Team on mission, mission goes awry, double-cross CIA plans to have them eliminated, fails, hot girl shows up to lend a hand to get revenge. You know the rest where this is leading to. In fact the trailer spoils it for you. In some ways this may be a good thing because, who wants a confusing twist-ended film after a tiring day at work. Sometimes you just need a no brainer shoot'em up to let loose.

Lets start with the good stuff. The production team is really promising. You’ve got a script by James Vanderbilt and Peter Berg, based on a recent hit comic series. You’ve got Jeffrey Dean Morgan, fresh off our minds as the bad dude in The Watchmen; Zoe Saldana, chick from Star Trek and Avatar girl; and Chris Evans, Mr Human Torch himself, owning the show in my opinion. Tagging along/against them, the long forgotten Jason Patrick as the evil over-the-top CIA henchmen.

It just pumps up our adrenaline hearing all the powers to be but such a pity everything from that onwards goes south. It felt under achieved, holding back on the style it meant to have. It had mixed messages thoughout with no chemisty watsoever. The only saving grace was the characters Jensen and Pooch, who held their form to its entertainment value. Everything else was cookie-cut B-grade photocopy of absurd situations and non-fitting characters.

Its hard to put a face value to entertainment. Yes, i had a fun ride. I was entertained. Its filled to the brim with slow-mos, quick MTV cuts and skin exposure (or lack of) but i needed more. Its the start of the summer blockbuster season and i have to admit, after that metal droid flick, my expectations of full on action has risen. I know this might sound unfair to be slotted right after but this just didn't cut it. If only they stayed true and held up the comic graphic panel style they showed in the opening and end credit, it would have made a killing at the box-office and claimed a sleeper hit. Instead, it killed itself and made everybody else sleep. Character development was skimping through without a care and lacked the conviction from the audience to root for them.

And whats with using "Don't Stop Believing" from Journey profusely at the end? Glee savored it first, go find your own theme.

Movie Rating:



(Its like a McD Cheese Burger. Fast, light but not very satisfying)

Review by Lokman B S