ironhorse_iv
This movie should be condemned. I'm sorry, but it should. Directed by Scott Wiper, the movie tells the story of Jack Conrad (Stone Cold Steve Austin), an American convict waiting in death row. He along with nine other convicts from different countries, are brought to a mysterious island by television producer Ian Brecket (Robert Mammone). In order to fight in a competition where they must kill each other, so that the last man standing will gains his or her freedom. Without spoiling the movie too much, I have to say, the movie isn't that good, when it comes to the action. The action has way too much, shaking cam and quick cuts. I hate how all the close up and long shots are filmed. You really can't make out details. It kinda ruins the movie, because it's really hard to tell, who's winning the fight or not. I wouldn't say that this movie delivers fun action. The action is directionless. It's doesn't know if it wants to be Hard R or not. It's tries to be ugly-looking, by showing bits of hideously cruel beatings, inferred acts of rape, attempted rape and pseudo-sadistic violence, but at the last second, it cuts away. Surprising, for a Lionsgate movie, the movie has little to no gory scenes. It's give the impression that the movie couldn't pay for blood or gory make up, with their limited budget. Its sucks, more, that, the action is very repetitive. Lots of brawling, shooting, and way too many explosions deaths. Another problem with the film is how they misused Steve Austin. Despite having the top billing; 'the Texas Rattlesnake' is barely in the film, much. The movie focus, way too much on the side characters. I came here, to see Austin 3:16, not these boring convicts. Honestly, if you're going to focus on them; at less, make them, a little more interesting. A lot of them are some generic & have little to no backstory. The only person, that seem cool, was Vinnie Jones as Ewan McStarley. It's upsetting, that the movie didn't focus, more on these two men, fighting each other. I would love it. The only thing, I hate about the limited time, they fought, was how upstage, Jack was, compare to Ewan. It's so bad that Ian orders a shotgun to be given to Ewan to "even" things out. The movie makes, Vinnie Jones look kinda weak. The ending fight between them, was disappointing, as hell. No big pay-off to their feud. By far, the worst thing about this movie is the time, spent with Robert Mammone and his crew! All of the scenes with them, are a total waste of my time. I really dislike, how over the top, Robert Mammone's acting was. I really couldn't stand Rick Hoffman as Goldman, Ian Brecket's assistant & Victoria Mussett as Ian's girlfriend, Julie. Their characters were so annoying, due to wishy washy flighty flake attitude. I really don't get, how they were OK, in helping create a death-fight tournament, and then when people start to die, they try really hard to wash their hands clean, by showing their moral disapprove about the killings to Ian. I really hate how preachy, this movie tries to be. The film tries to makes a major point that a program where convicts fight to the death is inhumane and cruel, though the film marketing capitalizes on that exact point, especially with the tagline. It becomes funny when you realize that this was made by two companies who are known for their violence! Distribute company, Lionsgate is known for torture porn movie and the film's production company: World Wrestling Entertainment AKA WWE is known best for its violent and uber extreme Attitude Era. The movie ultimately fails, because of this. By criticizing the violence, it's insulting their fan-base for liking films like this. You can't be preachy, while making money off of portraying violence. It's very hypocritically of them. Honestly, if you want a better film; watch films like 2000's Battle Royale, 2012's The Hunger Games, 1932's The Most Dangerous Game or 1986's Running Man. They're way superior to this film. Even 2008's Death Race is better than this movie! All, I want to see is Stone Cold Steve Austin kick ass in the Condemned; and they didn't give me, that. Overall: This movie is stone cold mediocre. That's the Bottom Line, because I said so!
tequila101
I'm so sick of people saying that this is a fail of a film. I don't know who could say it is. The action sequences are memorable, the quotes that Stone Cold gives are unforgettable, the music is tense and the scenes are done well.I watched this film 3 years ago and I didn't hate it but just didn't like it. I tried it a year after and I started liking it heaps, now watching it again a couple of days ago, I think I have made my final decision. This film is a high 8 of 10 film.A problem I do have with this film is the story. it feels Flawed. The story feels like other films where people fight to the death and then the last one standing survives and goes on with life as a free man. I just feel that the Condemned copied the concept from somewhere but I can't remember. The story is pretty predictable because we all know Stone Cold's gonna survive.I find the scenes with the beating and torturing of the women very disturbing and, to me the violence towards them is not needed. They should have not involved them and just added another two male inmates to join the bash.Those are my only two negatives and now the positives.Stone Cold & Vinnie Jones as well as every other actor execute their roles perfectly - The music is tense and at times heart-beating with some suspense and tones.Choosing ruins, rain forests, muddy patches, beaches and waste lands was an excellent idea.Action sequence after action sequence (except for the women fighting) are done well and I enjoyed every moment when every TV crew or rough inmate died.Some of the dialogue made me laugh and some of it is still funny to this day.People say that this is a bad film but I find that it's far from it. I ask people who hates this, "why this?". Most of the time I never really had a problem with this. If people hate this, they should watch it again to be really sure if they hate it. If I can give it a second chance, so can you. 8/10