Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-23 23:54:03

The Good, the Bad, and the Vain

This film is actually a Spaghetti Western, only they use cars for horses. It could be called Driver, Cop and Killer. The title Faster is sheer obfuscation.A man, played by Johnson, gets released from jail and goes on a revenge rampage. He has no name, just `Driver'. We sympathize with him while he kills some and lets some others live. `Cop' is Billy Bob Thornton at his most impressive, and least likable, a junky with a dirty past and a doubtful present.Then there is `Killer', a male model type, an English hitman living in an advertising dreamworld with a pretty blonde female model type and speaking impeccable English while discussing his trade. Killer gets hired to eliminate Driver, guess by whom.It may surprise you that more people survive this than one would expect.The funniest scene in this solid piece of earnest parody is when the killer has married and his new wife becomes tearful over her husband's chosen calling.If you take this for suspense, you may be disappointed. There is not all that much. If you enjoy it for its lovely clichés and its camera work, and the sound of the engines, there is some pleasure to be had.If you are tired of 'action' films, this one might offer the right level of repose, provided you approach it in the right spirit.

2012-05-23 08:10:48

How the Rock got his groove back

This review is from: Faster (DVD) Ten years behind bars, and he's so antsy. You see the Rock's character - anonymously labeled "Driver" - as he restlessly paces in his prison cell, waiting out his last morning in stir, and you know something festers on his mind. Any musings as to whether he's truly been rehabilitated is put to rest when he erupts out the penitentiary and straight away visits an office and guns down a telemarketer. That's cold-blooded. That's one name off his list (yes, there is a list).It's good to see the Rock straying from those sappy family friendly Disney flicks. Good to see him return to his roots and bolstering his action hero street creds. FASTER works off the conventions of a B-movie revenge thriller, and good performances from Dwayne Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton elevate this thing. There are moments of pure cool cinema, like that point of view perspective from the other side of the car's speedometer which allows us a peek out at the seething face of the Rock. I don't think I've seen a revenge thriller this lean and raw and entertaining since Mel Gibson's PAYBACK more than a decade ago.FASTER is told mainly from three perspectives: the Driver, the Killer, and the drug junkie Cop, with the latter two trying to catch up to the Driver as he continues to eliminate those what done him wrong, those what murdered his brother. Just about every character here is one-dimensional, but Johnson manages to lend nuance to his laconic role. Billy Bob Thornton, as he usually does, adds a little somethin' somethin' to his scruffy, 10-days-to-retirement police detective.One peculiar choice is the film's decision to devote so much camera time and back story to Oliver Jackson-Cohen's elegant contract hit man. He sees in Driver that one challenge he's been looking for, the one guy who may be faster than he is and that gets his competitive juices flowing. But, frankly, ultimately, I didn't think this hit man was all that interesting. He's what passes for shallow glitter. I did get a laugh though that Jackson-Cohen's biggest peeve there at the end seems to be that he's just not getting the professional courtesy he feels he deserves from the Rock. Jackson-Cohen certainly adds an element of quirk, and it doesn't hurt that his personal arc presents the stunning Maggie Grace as eye candy. Grace, Carla Gugino, and Moon Bloodgood somewhat take the edge off the testosterone level, never mind that Gugino herself plays a tough cop detective.Dwayne Johnson strides across the screen as a simmering, single-minded force of nature. He relentlessly drives the film, ratcheting up the pace of the story, and maybe it's a good thing after all that Jackson-Cohen's posh assassin gets his moments because this allows the viewing audience to breathe a bit. I did feel that the film backed away a bit from completely portraying Driver as the hard-bitten ex-convict out for vengeance come hell or high water. That one drawn out sequence with Driver and the pastor sort of killed the buzz. Dang that Bible-thumping. Still, FASTER satisfies your jonesing for taut, hard-core anti-hero revenge flicks. And, look at that, the Rock's suddenly got his swagger back. At least until he stars in TOOTH FAIRY 2 or something.The DVD's extras ain't much: an Alternate Ending (which was the original ending) and 5 Deleted Scenes with optional Director's introductions (except for the "Killer Takes A Picture" scene).

2012-05-20 11:19:19

The Rock is cooking with gas in this one!

This review is from: Faster (DVD) Imagine being completely devastated (mind, body, and soul) and then having the ultimate opportunity to step up to the plate and start avenging. Well, this movie takes that step and does so while still expanding on the story and creating a few additional interesting characters to keep the film very interesting. I do not want to spoil any of it, except to say that once the main character is let loose and decides on a direction, he literally starts running and that's what I like to see happen - someone who takes charge of the situation and obliterates his enemies. That makes for some great movie time.

Gaspar Toulor 2012-05-19 22:17:53

Not very good.

Instead of perpetually gravitating to these fantasies, dumb-down fortheir stunted intellects.How many times do you need to be told you are dumb, until it finallysinks into your thick mentally challenged craniums? But what do youexpect from a wrestler, and the audience willing to buy into hisreality, who builds his steroid-enhanced body up for a modern realitywhere a single bullet can end your life? Only gym rats enjoy DwayneJohnson movies, as they live their action filled fantasies out indirector controlled realities. These clowns are useless to society andcontinue to fawn over gorillas like this, hoping to relive the glorydays of their high school athletic careers that went no where, despitetheir repetitive boastings that argued otherwise.My suggestion to this childish audience, is to learn a science, Englishor math based skill, so that they could base their masculinity onsomething that actually provides a livelihood.

dworldeater 2012-05-17 19:23:09

The only movie starring The Rock I like

I have no problem with Dwane Johnson's career in the WWE, but hisfilms(with the exception of this ) are pretty lame. In this 70's styledrevenge themed action flick , The Rock takes out the trash . Since thisis not the 1970's, Charles Bronson is not available . The Rock 'sacting ability is obviously not of the same caliber . His character isvery one dimensional. So, The Rock plays a one note tough guy on amission to avenge his brother . This is miles away from something likeHigh Plains Drifter . As far as modern action movies go, this is prettygood . The tone is dark and the violence is brutal .( I prefer Machetehowever ) At least this is not another John Travolta action vehicle!

sirfire 2012-05-17 14:07:44

its got style

I was thinking errr its another Rock movie but its better than that andwhile it's not perfect but was very enjoyable! Dwayne didn't say manywords but he was very emotional and right for the job. The story has a form of complexity that you just would not expect whenyou look at the cover of the movie and to me it really is let down withthe naming and marketing. It is a dark movie and very violent and probably a big surprise to manythat it is not just a simple shot em up type of movie. Billy BobThornton was simply brilliant and the movie has tad of Natural BornKillers feel to it, so if you like that kind of style then it is wortha look. While it wont be a classic as many ideas have been done before but itdoes have a touch of class that makes you overcome these issues and itis worth a watch just on the music alone. George Tillman Jr has comealong way with this movie but is still learning his trade.

PWNYCNY 2012-05-16 20:08:03

A cinematic miracle.

Get off your high horses, all ye critics who panned this movie. Youknoweth not what you judge. This movie is not pulp, is not trash, isnot trite, is not shallow. Ye, as you wander through the landscape ofthe story, you will encounter may surprises: good acting, a compact,comprehensible story, lots of action, good cinematography andexperience a renewal of one's faith in Hollywood. Ye, as you leave thetheatre, you will be pleased with what you have encountered and happythat you decided to watch such a movie. That wonderful actor, Billy BobThornton, makes this movie happen as does the actor Dwayne Johnsonformally known as The Rock. There are someth who will doubt theveracity of this report, there are someth who will dismiss it outrightas being without credence. To them I say, "Withold judgment ye oflittle faith until ye have witnessed the movie yourself." Yes, myfriends, I HAVE witnessed this movie and have come away a believer -that Hollywood CAN transform an action movie it into something decentand watchable, proving that even in this age of the potboiler miraclescan happen.

Brian Harris 2012-05-16 18:06:22

Action Cinema Lives!

Action revenge cinema lives! I'm not at all a fan of Dwayne "The Rock"Johnson's work, to be honest, but his increased stature (the man is amonster) combined with a roaring muscle car, thunderous hand-cannon and"man of few words" character create a truly imposing anti-hero onecan't help but admire. Instead of dazzling us with Johnson'sathleticism and razor-sharp comedic timing or mucking things up withcheesy eyebrow gags, director Tillman Jr. opts instead to let Johnson'sstone-faced brutality do the talking and Faster benefits greatly fromthat.Certainly there's very little to go on here, Faster is tragicallypredictable, but what do plot, story and character arcs have to do withplain old revenge seasoned with gun powder and the pathetic grovelingof the wicked? What this film offers, it delivers on in spades andthat's what good revenge cinema is all about. Frankly I'm a bitsurprised this barely made its production budget back because I foundit to be great fun, very entertaining, violent stuff and I just can'timagine most action fans disliking this.I can't say I loved this film, I did have a few small gripes in which Ifelt they dropped the ball with Johnson's character, but I'll be damnedif I won't be picking this up when I get the chance. The cinematographywas clean, the action/revenge in-your-face and brutal (like goodaction/revenge cinema should be) and the soundtrack featuring composerClint Mansell, Kenny Rogers, Iggy Pop and legendary Italian composersGuido and Maurizio De Angelis was outstandingly groovy! "In the know"listeners will notice the De Angelis track is "Goodbye My Friend" fromEnzo G. Castellari's poliziottesco classic, Street Law. Way to scorepoints with the cult cinema geeks! Action films come and go, mostaren't worth watching twice these days but there are a few that haveput a smile on this jaded fan's face. I was thoroughly entertained,hopefully you will be too.

fractal-cracker 2012-05-15 23:05:42

Very, Very Disappointed

Up until now, I was an unquestionable fan of both the Rock and the Bob.I go forward forewarned that I'd better wait and check the reviewsbefore I drop $9.75 for a spot in the audience next time. No more 12:01midnight opening night showing for me. This is the kind of show thatmakes me cringe when I see either of them traveling the talk showcircuit talking it up. The real acting job is being performed there onthe talk show stage if they convince you to wander in the theater.As far as plot - there's not much of one and at that, it repeats every15 minutes, ad nauseum. Even the cinematography is weird - everythingis an unnatural shade of orange.Dwayne.. Billy Bob... you owe me one!

2012-05-15 10:42:43

Not worthy of the "Rock"

This review is from: Faster (DVD) Love Dwayne Johnson and action films of all kinds and he's done some great movies--but this isn't one of them. He has so much more to offer than the monosyllabic--executioner presentation he's given to work with here. And the other "stock" characters Billy Bob Thorton as the drug using, dirty cop & Carla Giano as his too tough to be believable partner, don't make the movie any better. The best character in this film? The black Chevy Chevelle Dwayne drives around in killing people--the car Rocks!

fist45 2012-05-11 17:34:45

warning: awful movie ahead

my GOd this is the worst movie in a long time! don't even get close tothis nightmare.... I mean Billy Bob is useless and dumb, the Rockdisappear during the movie, a useless female cop with a gruff voice andthe best : a contract killer who used to work as a successful ITbusinessman ,come on man, you really need to have that much resume tokill idiots....no, people beware of this stinker, a real danger foryour left side of the brain...they want me to write at least 10 linesfor the review but Im worried I may cause the writers and producers toconsider suicide, seriously, their careers are in serious jeopardy andI will suggest them to consider the IT business instead

addie1-21-937101 2012-05-11 11:11:03

Hi all Galz and Guys

i felt very sad after watching this movie and the top star Rock .Iwatched this movie only for "Rock" that there will be full of action.but i bored and waste my time on Downloading and watching this Movie.very BAD time for me. Don't made Such Bad movies which is meaningless,no Story, No action, simple straight movie, no real action, story isvery bad, script is bad, music is bad every rime running behind thescene making me feel more bad.. very bad work, why they made thismovie? just making business and spoil fans for making this movies. itreally effect the popularity of herobye

Sherazade 2012-05-05 15:57:16

I did not like the pace of this movie at all

I only rented it because of Dwayne-the-rock-Johnson but I have to sayit boasts a pretty impressive supporting cast including Billy BobThorton and Carla Gugino as cops, Moon Bloodgood, Maggie Grace, AdewaleAgbaje among others. The basic premise of the film is this, a guysimply known as Driver (played by the Rock) is released from prisonafter serving ten years for an armed robbery that took the life of hisbrother, upon his release he sets out to exact revenge on the rivalgang that double-crossed them on that day. One by one he begins to takeout his targets with the cops in hot pursuit and an eccentric hit manon his tail as well. The Rock is his usual self, effective and on pointbut the movie just drags on after a while and not even hiseffectiveness can save that. I have to say this though, the guy whoplays the hit-man needs to go back to acting school or Britainwhichever is cheaper. Good looks it not everything.

gradyharp 2012-05-05 10:27:17

A Faster Delivery of Action and Revenge

FASTER seems from the PR and the graphics to be just another actionflick. But this film as written by Tony and Joe Gayton and directed byGeorge Tillman, Jr. proves to be more. At the core of this story is theway revenge eats at the soul and almost makes a good man bad. Driver (Dwayne Johnson in a fine brooding role more dependent onphysicality than words) is released from ten years in prison for hisinvolvement in a double-crossed heist during which his brother waskilled: Driver has only one thing on his mind and that is to track downand kill all those involved in the murder. Seemingly without feeling hemanages to kill some of those on the list, a trend the Cop (Billy BobThornton, an addict just weeks away from retirement) and Cicero (CarlaGugino), his boss, begin to trace. One of the designated conspiratorshires hit man Killer (Oliver Jackson-Cohen, an actor with fine screenpresence to watch carefully) to kill Driver. Clues are added and thechase becomes more frantic as Driver slowly murders his brother'skillers. But compassion and insight enter Driver's persona and his pathis deviated by some victims' pleas. The ending is well written and is asurprise in every way. Johnson has become so muscular as to distort his presence, but that islikely a preparation for this role: he is convincing in a role withvery little lines. Thornton contributes his usual excellent skills tohis multifaceted role and Moon Bloodgood is outstanding as his long-suffering addict wife. There are cameos for fine actors such as MikeEpps, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as an tent revival evangelist, TomBerenger as the prison warden, Maggie Grace as Killer's girlfriend, andAnnie Corley as Driver's mother. But keep an eye on OliverJackson-Cohen - he shows considerable promise. FASTER is fast, to thepoint, minimalist film making that swiftly drives to a surprisingfinish. Grady Harp

Van Roberts 2012-05-04 19:57:20

A Demon Out of Hell!!!!

After directing "Soul Food" and "Men of Honor," director George TillmanJr. gets down and dirty with the gritty Dwayne Johnson morality play"Faster" co-starring Billy Bob Thornton, Carla Gugino, Tom Berenger,and Mike Epps. This brawny, bullet-riddled, action-oriented melodramaabout an avenging ex-con out to payback the dastardly dudes whomurdered his brother qualifies as a refreshingly straightforwardshoot'em up. Usually, most testosterone-laced, hard-boiled thrillersdon't generate sufficient momentum until the first 30-minutes haveelapsed. Happily, "Faster" wastes no time getting out of the startinggate. This violent, swiftly-paced actioneer literally blasts off! Ofcourse, characters must be crafted and predicaments developed beforethe hero and the villains can clash. Indeed, Tillman and "UncommonValor" scribes Tony and Joe create memorable characters and chart themon a collision course that lacks over-the-top, computer-generatedspecial effects. You won't see any fireball explosions erupt in"Faster." Moreover Johnson doesn't let his dialogue get in the way ashe tracks down his brother's killers and puts them out of his misery.The pared-down pyrotechnics and Johnson's fulminating presence make"Faster" a rewarding actioneer. Inexorable best describes the tenacitywith which Johnson approaches his mission of vengeance in this lean butexciting 95-minute movie. Shrewdly, Tillman surrounds the former WWFchamp with a colorful cast of characters, and the Gaytons deliverenough twists and turns to keep audiences guessing. Our hulking herolooks tough enough to triumph over the indestructible killers in eitherJoel & Ethan Cohen's "No Country for Old Men" or the murderous cyborgsin James Cameron's "Terminator" movies. Altogether, "Faster" ranks asJohnson's best tough-guy thriller to date with an out-of-the-blueending that is superbly foreshadowed from the start."Faster" unfolds with Driver (Dwayne Johnson of "The Tooth Fairy")itching to get out of Murdock prison now that he has served his 10-yearstretch. During his decade behind bars, our fearless protagonistacquired a reputation for taking names and kicking ass. Basically, herefused to bow to the wishes of anybody or any gang while he occupiedthe big house. Literally, Driver came in fighting and left that way. Hesports a tattoo on his beefy left forearm that bears testament to hislethal pugnacity. The deadly statistics inked on his skin represent themany ill-fated adversaries who failed to subdue him in close-quarterscombat. No sooner has the Warden (Tom Berenger of "Sniper") givenDriver his usual lecture than our hero asks for the door. The minutethat Driver exits the penitentiary, he starts running. Eventually, heends up in a lonely automobile junkyard. He whips the tarp off asouped-up, 1970's era muscle car, a black SS Chevelle with two parallelwhite racing stripes running from hood to trunk. The Chevelle resemblesthe vehicle that Kurt Russell drove in "Death Proof." Driver fishes abulky snub-nosed revolver out the glove compartment and careens off insearch of his first victim.Gradually, we learn that Driver had no previous criminal record beforehe drove the getaway car for his brother in a Bakersfield, California,robbery. Driver, his brother, and their two accomplices managed toevade the police after the hold-up. Unfortunately, another gang ofcriminals ambushed and killed all of them. Driver watched in horror asa cold-blooded ruffian slashed his brother's neck with a huge knife.Miraculously, however, Driver survived a bullet in the head when theslug ricocheted off his skull, caromed around the curvature of his headand came out his cheek. Driver served his ten-year stretch and staredat a photograph of his brother throughout those years. Meantime, hepaid a shady private investigator, Roy Grone (Mike Epps of ""All AboutThe Benjamins"), for the Chevelle as well as the names of the men thatwiped out his brother's gang. A bespectacled telemarketer, PatrickAshton (Courtney Gains of "Sweet Home Alabama"), is our hero's firstvictim. Driver bursts into the office where the telemarketer works andputs a bullet in his head without warning. Naturally, the local policeinvestigate the shooting, with Detective Cicero (sexy Carla Gugino of"Sin City") as the lead cop on the case. Surveillance cameras at thescene recorded Driver plugging the telemarketer in the head. Cicero issurprised when another detective, Slade Humphries (Billy Bob Thorntonof "Bad Santa"), shows up to assist her. We learn that Humphries hastwo weeks left as a detective before he retires with full benefits. Heis an unshaven, chain-smoking cop who wears cowboy boots, abusesheroin, and married one of his criminal informants. Slade's son Tommyplays Little League baseball, but he has no talent for the game.Earlier, Humphries was a member of an L.A.P.D. crash team, but he hassince fallen on hard times. The last major character to enter the frayis Killer, a handsome Englishman who performs hits for a dollar-a-job.A software millionaire, Killer (Mel Gibson look-alike OliverJackson-Cohen of "Going the Distance") tools around in a sleek sportscar and dates a groovy gal, Lily (Maggie Grace of "Taken"), who likesto go shooting with him. Killer managed to overcome a case of childhoodpolio and has sculpted a mean body. An unknown individual has hiredKiller, and Killer plans to ice Driver, hang up his gun, and wed hissweetheart.Essentially, "Faster" is a bare-bones but surprise-laden crime thrillerfrom fade-in to fade-out. Driver never dawdles when he locates hisbrother's murderers. He marches up to them and blows them away. When heencounters the sharp-shooting Killer, our hero refuses to seek cover.Instead, Driver aggressively charges the Englishman and blasts away athim without fear. Tillman stages "Faster" with similar blunt forceurgency. One of the best scenes depicts Driver eluding two policecruisers during a high speed race through Bakersfield by drivingbackwards the entire time! Overall, "Faster" lives up both to its nameand its R-rating but never wears out its welcome.

TopDoller 2012-05-04 16:12:52

Great old school revenge flick. Awful timing...

This movie rocks but who the hell made the decision to release this onTHANKS GIVING WEEKEND?! That person should be fired! Action moviesnever do well during the holidays. Its ashame because this is a reallygood movie. Its not perfect it has its cringe inducing silly momentsbut it also kicks a$$! The Rock plays a man (with no name, hes known asDriver) on a mission to kill the people who betrayed him so stay thef*** out of his way! What i like is this guy means business no trashtalk, no games, no nothing. Just revenge. Warning to the wise its alittle corny at times and the ending isn't as shocking as they hoped itbe but no movie is perfect.

2012-05-01 20:57:49

Love the action!!!

This review is from: Faster (DVD) Saw the movie when it came out. Had to buy it for my "The Rock" collection of movies. I just love me some "The Rock". He's back with a vengeance!!! That gun and those muscles was a complete turn on. He didn't have to say many words for me. Just him getting revenge and the action held my attention. Billy Bob Thornton was good as the cop. It was definitely a twist with how he was involved from the beginning. Very good action movie!!

2012-05-01 10:43:28

If only the Rock did not have to speak.

I think this is a good action film and I do like the Rock Dwayne Johnson but man oh man he really needs some acting lessons. The Dwayne Johnson looks tough as nails and like he could take on 5 guys and win but can not pull off any emotion other then anger. The rest of the cast is great and this could be part of the issue since we have all these good actors along side one very bad actor, it just stands out more. Billy Bob Thornton pulls off his role as the junky cop with a checkered past and Maggie Grace is great in her role as hit man number ones wife.Lots of action and a twisted up mystery is why you should see this film but most will figure out what is going on faster then they should. I myself like to guess what is going to happen and am always happy when it do's not go my way. Ignore the Rocks bad acting and see this film anyway, it's worth it.

Ken 2012-04-26 17:41:31

Good Movie

Really enjoyed it, It was dramatic, action filled, shocking, and mind blowing. I think It was a great movie and I would give it a 4/5

Gordon-11 2012-04-26 09:53:12

Not too bloody but gives you thrills

This film is about a bank robber who got double-crossed, and hisbrother got killed during the process. Years later, he is about to seekrevenge."Faster" is not a film with car chases, as the title seems to suggest.In fact, it is a film about revenge. It has a well developed story,giving reason and sense to the acts that the Driver does. It isinteresting that most characters do not have names. so we have torecognise their faces."Faster" is an adequate action film. It's not too bloody or violent,not too disturbing but gives people thrills.