Faster (2011)

Review: written August 2011

Revenge Flick With Character

This turned out to be a little surprising. The first 5 or 10 minutes kind of confirm that this is going to be an exploitation movie, a straight revenge movie that could have been from the 80's, or something from Tarantino's list of obscure movies to watch. However, it turns out to be something not quite as straightforward, in no small part due to some terrific turns from the two main leads.

Dwayne Johnson plays his best role in years here, as the guy just released from prison, who sets out at a brisk no-nonsense pace, to settle some scores. The why-he-was-in, the who-he-is-after parts gradually come together during the course of the movie, with a few flashbacks, along with some surprisingly well played backstories to the other characters in the movie.

While "The Rock" is playing his best - and perhaps not coincidentally his least verbose - role in years, Billy Bob Thornton also puts in a reliable turn as the cop on his case, who also has his own tortured background.

If there's a misfire, it's the plot strand of the hitman hired to kill Johnson. It's just not too essential to the story, although it does lead to the only brief car chase in the movie. I should point out this is no "Fast 5" clone of babes and car chases - neither are in particular abundance here... the only thing it has in common is that the camera lavishes some enviable screen time on the muscle cars, and the rumble of Johnson's Chevelle SS acts as more of a voice for The Rock's character than he does.

Clint Mansell's score of tinkling piano's mixed with some pounding synths as the behemoth Johnson ploughs towards his mark, is effectively backed up with some surprising song additions on the soundtrack.. from Iggy Pop to Kenny Rogers.

All in all, it's a surprisingly stylishly put together flick - which while not the most surprising in the world, certainly is lifted by style and performances to the front of the pack of this ilk currently doing the rounds. With the characters named by what they do or what they are ("Driver", "Cop", "Killer"), the emphasis on style and the music, the imperfect characters, one is almost tempted to see some homage to a Leone Western here - in a good way.

You may see the end coming, it might trod a well worn path, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it's better than its current competitors. Thumbs up.