A look at "Law Abiding" Vigilantes
Kara Lemarie
Issue date: 10/27/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
For those seeking the perfect blend of drama and action, as well as an unconventional twist on good versus evil, Gary Gray's newest film will satisfy both the Bourne cult, as well as any girl that appreciates mouth-watering, top-of-the-line talent.
"Law Abiding Citizen" draws from the likes of "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile," featuring Gerard Butler of "300" and "P.S. I Love You" as Clyde Shelton, the singular vigilante avenging the murder of his wife and child.
As if this isn't enough, the film features not one, but two sultry leads, with Jamie Foxx starring as attorney Nick Rice, whom Clyde blames for a plea bargain that kept his family's killer free.
The plot follows Shelton as he executes a series of slaughters against high-profile figures that were involved with the case against his family's murderer. What makes each revenge kill so oddly exhilarating is that Shelton performs his murders while in prison, thus rendering him a "law-abiding citizen" against whom attorney Rice has no evidence unless Shelton were to provide a confession to the murders. For those that love a twist, this flick will have you reeling with delight.
This star-packed cast also includes Dublin actor Colm Meaney as Detective Dunningan, Bruce McGill of "Obsessed" as district attorney Jonas Cantrell, Leslie Bibb of "Iron Man" as law office assistant Sarah Lowell and Michael Irby of "The Unit" as Detective Garza.
The film is an excellent take on the vigilante genre as Gray casts a perfectly likeable "good guy" and "bad guy," throwing the viewer's perspective into a storm of confusion as to what is right and wrong. It also calls into question certain conflicts within the justice system, inquiring of the very laws we depend upon to put criminals behind bars, as well as posing the question of what is considered "justice."
Grade: A+
"Law Abiding Citizen" draws from the likes of "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile," featuring Gerard Butler of "300" and "P.S. I Love You" as Clyde Shelton, the singular vigilante avenging the murder of his wife and child.
As if this isn't enough, the film features not one, but two sultry leads, with Jamie Foxx starring as attorney Nick Rice, whom Clyde blames for a plea bargain that kept his family's killer free.
The plot follows Shelton as he executes a series of slaughters against high-profile figures that were involved with the case against his family's murderer. What makes each revenge kill so oddly exhilarating is that Shelton performs his murders while in prison, thus rendering him a "law-abiding citizen" against whom attorney Rice has no evidence unless Shelton were to provide a confession to the murders. For those that love a twist, this flick will have you reeling with delight.
This star-packed cast also includes Dublin actor Colm Meaney as Detective Dunningan, Bruce McGill of "Obsessed" as district attorney Jonas Cantrell, Leslie Bibb of "Iron Man" as law office assistant Sarah Lowell and Michael Irby of "The Unit" as Detective Garza.
The film is an excellent take on the vigilante genre as Gray casts a perfectly likeable "good guy" and "bad guy," throwing the viewer's perspective into a storm of confusion as to what is right and wrong. It also calls into question certain conflicts within the justice system, inquiring of the very laws we depend upon to put criminals behind bars, as well as posing the question of what is considered "justice."
Grade: A+
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