Bruce Willis Needs "Extraction" From The Direct To DVD Movie Realm

Extraction (2015)

Rated R

Starring Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano, Bruce Willis, D.B. Sweeney

Directed by Steven Miller

The Story:

Harry Turner (Lutz) has been training to be the best C.I.A. field operative since his dad, Leonard (Willis). He keeps getting denied because his dad keeps calling in favors to keep his son safe. When Leonard is kidnapped, Harry goes rogue to save him. Victoria (Carano) an ex-flame and current agent is assigned to bring Harry in, but they both will need to work together to find Leonard's kidnappers and stop something much, much bigger than they realize.

It's a movie about spies, so you need to be brief and vague on the review.

To its benefit, this movie is brief, clocking in under 90 minutes and it's not bad, so not a total waste of your time.

Contrary to movie posters and billing, Bruce Willis is not the star, it's Kellan Lutz who is being groomed to be part of the next generation of action heroes.

We were spoiled with our 80s and 90s action stars. They were often many things, but rarely wooden.

Most of the actors that are getting handed these franchises have little personality or charisma.

Lutz carried most of the Hercules movie a few years back.

No, not the one that was overshadowed by The Rock a few months later.

:)

He just doesn't do anything to stand out in the generic leading action star department.

Films like this aren't helping him much either.

So again, not bad, but probably a million other action films you can get to before you need to watch this one.

Final Grade:  C

The Rock Is "Hercules". Talk About Typecasting!

Hercules (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell,

Directed by Brett Ratner

The Story:

Hercules (Johnson) is much more man than the legends would have you believe. However, he travels with his companions to earn their wages and set up for an eventual retirement. When he is approached to help Lord Cotys (Hurt) train an army to defend themselves, Hercules and his companions may have finally reached the end of their legend.

I think the biggest knock against this one, aside from Brett Ratner directing, was that it didn't play up the actual legend of Hercules.

On the contrary, it actually made sense out of how a legend of Hercules could have grown without him being the actual son of Zeus.

If he indeed was not the son of Zeus.

McShane and Sewell provide great support to The Rock as his compatriots.  The whole ensemble works, and makes the most of their screen time together building camaraderie amongst the group.
Naturally, Dwayne Johnson is his usually charismatic self and plays the part of Hercules with his usual wink and smile delivery, but enough remorse and regret because of his troubled past.

It may not be the greatest adaptation of the legendary warrior, but I enjoyed it.

Come to think of it, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better version anyway.

So there!

:)

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I enjoyed it enough, and was pleased to see a copy under the tree for Christmas. :)