Back in July of 2012 I reviewed the Guy Pearce/Maggie Grace sci-fi/action flick Lockout and gave it a Bad. You can catch my original review right here. Now, a Bad traditionally means we never sit down and watch the movie again. But I recently bumped into Lockout on Netflix after one too many beers and something . . . magical happened? Stick with me!
A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the
U.S. is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president's daughter
from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates.
Truth be told, I've watched Lockout a couple of more times, and I'm now forced to adjust my opinion of it. Sure, the problems I had with the flick the first time still stand, but the things I enjoyed have gotten better.
For one, I appreciate how almost every character in Lockout is just that -- a character. They've all got personalities that are fleshed out by a competent cast. Kudos again to Vincent Regan and Jospeh Gilgun as the main bad guys. Regan is brutal but controlled. Gilgun is totally off his rocker. It's awesome! They're bad guys with balls and even a little depth. You don't get that in a lot of movies, B-grade or otherwise.
I praised Pearce for his action chops before, and the chemistry he and Grace share, but didn't make note of the one liners and humour he brings to the part. This dude gave the role of Snow his all, and embodied the qualities of the 80s action hero perfectly. He's the ultimate smart ass. Check out this exchange he has with Peter Stormare's chacter:
Langral: Again, what happened in that hotel room?
Snow: Oh, it was coupon night and I was trampolining your wife.
[Snow is punched in the face]
Langral: You're a real comedian aren't you, Snow?
Snow: Well I guess that's why they call it the punch line.
[Snow is punched again]
Langral: You don't like me, do you?
Snow: Don't flatter yourself. I don't like anybody.
Langral: With that attitude, I can see why nobody likes you.
Snow: Oh, come on. People love me. Just ask your wife.
[Snow is punched again]
It's moments like that, and the performances, that have brought me back to Lockout. I've gotta give the movie a Good, and encourage B-movie fans to check it out if they haven't already. It's perfect viewing with buds and a few beers.
Truth be told, I've watched Lockout a couple of more times, and I'm now forced to adjust my opinion of it. Sure, the problems I had with the flick the first time still stand, but the things I enjoyed have gotten better.
For one, I appreciate how almost every character in Lockout is just that -- a character. They've all got personalities that are fleshed out by a competent cast. Kudos again to Vincent Regan and Jospeh Gilgun as the main bad guys. Regan is brutal but controlled. Gilgun is totally off his rocker. It's awesome! They're bad guys with balls and even a little depth. You don't get that in a lot of movies, B-grade or otherwise.
I praised Pearce for his action chops before, and the chemistry he and Grace share, but didn't make note of the one liners and humour he brings to the part. This dude gave the role of Snow his all, and embodied the qualities of the 80s action hero perfectly. He's the ultimate smart ass. Check out this exchange he has with Peter Stormare's chacter:
Langral: Again, what happened in that hotel room?
Snow: Oh, it was coupon night and I was trampolining your wife.
[Snow is punched in the face]
Langral: You're a real comedian aren't you, Snow?
Snow: Well I guess that's why they call it the punch line.
[Snow is punched again]
Langral: You don't like me, do you?
Snow: Don't flatter yourself. I don't like anybody.
Langral: With that attitude, I can see why nobody likes you.
Snow: Oh, come on. People love me. Just ask your wife.
[Snow is punched again]
It's moments like that, and the performances, that have brought me back to Lockout. I've gotta give the movie a Good, and encourage B-movie fans to check it out if they haven't already. It's perfect viewing with buds and a few beers.
Jason revisits Lockout is nice movie & great leather jacket I praised Pearce for his action chops before, and the chemistry he and Grace share, but didn't make note of the one liners and humour he brings to the part....
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