Faster [2010]

Dwayne Johnson is a very angry man in “Faster”. He’s just been released from prison after serving 10 years and he has one singular focus: to avenge the murder of his brother during the botched bank robbery that led to his imprisonment. Now a free man with a deadly to do list on his trail, he’s finally out for a kill. During his mission however, he finds himself tracked by a veteran cop (Billy Bob Thornton) who is just days from retirement, and a young egocentric hitman (Oliver Jackson Cohen) with a flair for the art of killing. Alright, I know what you’re thinking: haven’t we seen this a zillion times before? I agree, we did. The movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but if you’re looking for a brainless action movie for a change, then this one’s for you (regardless of the fact that you may have an idea of how things will eventually end). This is a film that clearly needed a star to really work, and in Dwayne Johnson, it has found one. The Rock gladly knows his role as an action star and it’s good to finally see him back. He’s tough, mean, down to business, and a real hero. And in “Faster”, he shows his true colors (after years of starring in Disney films). One of the best scenes depicts him eluding two police cruisers during a high speed race through Bakersfield by driving backwards the entire time! Car fans, you’re in for a treat. In the end, “Faster” may be cheesy as hell, but it’s a strong reminder that revenge can be so damn sweet. Lesson learned.

Rating: 2.5/4