Watch Welcome TO The Punch Online Movie Review 2013

Release Date: March 27, 2013 (limited)
Studio: IFC Films
Director: Eran Creevy
Screenwriter: Eran Creevy
Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Elyes Gabel, David Morrissey, Peter Mullan, Daniel Mays, Andrea Riseborough
Genre: Crime, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for violence and language)
Official Website: Not Available
Review: 6,1/10

Plot Summary:

The second feature from acclaimed British director and filmmaker Eran Creevy, “Welcome to the Punch” is the story of two arch-nemeses: detective Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy; “X-Men: First Class,” “Wanted”) and master criminal Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong; “Sherlock Holmes,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Guard”). When Sternwood escaped three years ago after a daring robbery, Max was left emotionally and physically scarred. But after Sternwood’s son turns up in a hospital due to a failed heist, he’s forced to return to London – giving Max his second chance to get the one criminal who got away. Yet as Max delves deeper into the case he uncovers a vast conspiracy. Featuring rising star Andrea Riseborough (“W.E.,” “Shadow Dancer”) and Peter Mullan (“Tyrannosaur,” “War Horse”), the film was shot in the gleaming streets of London’s rejuvenated East End and the banking center of Canary Wharf.

Movie Review

It’s been a long time since I have seen so much advance publicity for a film. Underground stations and trains, buses and billboards in London seem to be festooned with posters advertising “Welcome to the Punch”. There has also been a noticeable TV advertising campaign in the UK, aimed at plugging the film’s supposed entertainment value. It is clear that “Welcome to the Punch” has a substantial PR budget attached to it. I am not surprised that so much effort is being made to convince potential viewers of the film’s credentials. Although “Welcome to the Punch” is a reasonably entertaining film, it is ultimately a disappointing one. It has more style than substance. It’s a slick, glossy thriller that looks expensive. However, it is also a bleak film with (apart from one funny scene that is a strangely effective mixture of humour and tension) little to lighten its almost unremittingly depressive milieu.

“Welcome to the Punch” is an attempt at modern day noir. It seems to me to have been heavily influenced by some of the recently successful TV crime series emanating from continental Europe (primarily Scandinavia), such as “The Killing”, “Borgen” and “Spiral”. However, it’s not as good as any of those programmes. A few years ago, criminal mastermind Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong) injured London detective Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy) and fled to Iceland to escape the clutches of the police. He has now returned to London because his son has been shot and injured and is critically ill. This gives Lewinsky the opportunity to try to apprehend him for his past misdemeanours. Thus begins a complex tale of revenge, political and police corruption and obsession.

“Welcome to the Punch” is entertaining. It is beautifully filmed and is a visually confident film that is a delight to look at. The acting is, for the most part, good – there is very effective support from the likes of Peter Mullan, Daniel Mays and David Morrissey. The soundtrack too is spot on. So, why is it no better than an averagely good film? Well, for one thing, the plot is so complex that it is sometimes difficult to follow. There is, for example, one scene in which the behaviour of a character (which ultimately leads to her being killed) is simply inexplicable. We have to wait a further 30 minutes or so for an explanation of why she did what she did. This is most definitely a film that requires the viewer’s undivided attention – so much so that watching it sometimes seems to be much more of a chore than a pleasure. In addition, it is sometimes difficult to discern, amidst the frequent scenes of gun violence and mayhem, exactly which character has been injured or killed. This is because several of the actors have a similar physical appearance to each other and because the action all too often takes place in a darkly lit, brooding atmosphere that makes it difficult to see exactly what is going on. McAvoy gives a very good performance as the obsessive detective hellbent on revenge (despite occasional lapses with his London accent!). And it is certainly the case that “Welcome to the Punch” is a stylish film. But it is ultimately also a bleak and empty one that, despite the money and behind the camera talent expended on it, barely raises itself above the level of a competent thriller.

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Watch 2 Guns Online Movie Review 2013

 

Release Date: August 1, 2013 (p.m. screenings)
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Screenwriter: Blake Masters
Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, James Marsden
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for violence throughout, language and brief nudity)
Official Website: 2Guns.net
Review: 8/10 rating
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: DVD | Blu-ray Disc (Combo Pack)

Plot Summary: Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg lead an all-star cast in “2 Guns,” an explosive action film that tracks two operatives from competing bureaus who are forced on the run together. But there is a big problem with their unique alliance: Neither knows that the other is an undercover federal agent.

For the past 12 months, DEA agent Bobby Trench (Washington) and U.S. naval intelligence officer Marcus Stigman (Wahlberg) have been reluctantly attached at the hip. Working undercover as members of a narcotics syndicate, each man distrusts his partner as much as the criminals they have both been tasked to take down.

When their attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel and recover millions goes haywire, Trench and Stigman are suddenly disavowed by their superiors. Now that everyone wants them in jail or in the ground, the only person they can count on is the other. Unfortunately for their pursuers, when good guys spend years pretending to be bad, they pick up a few tricks along the way.

Movie Review

When the credits started, I had a big smile on my face.

What is your perception of 2 Guns? Whether you’ve seen the trailer or read the comic, you might have an idea what sort of movie this is. If so, you will be correct and happy you decided to watch it.

The big surprise many seem to have is the fact that this movie is based on the 2 GUNS comic Boom! Studios put out in 2007. I’ll admit, despite the fact that I’ve always read a lot of Boom’s comics, this series somehow completely snuck by. I did read the series before watching the movie. Whether or not you should do that, we’ll get to that in minute.

The movie stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. That in itself is pretty impressive. These two actors crank up the charisma during the movie. You can’t help but enjoy their presence on screen.

These two guys are planning on robbing a bank. It turns out it wasn’t a simple bank and they ended up with way more than they thought. The twists and turns avalanche upon them as they discover others that are interested in the money plus the fact that they don’t know each other as well as they thought. If you’ve watched the trailer, you probably know more about the movie than you should.

Washington and Wahlberg are great together. For a movie with a lot of shooting and one- liners, it’s the kind you can just become immersed in. This is pure entertainment. Parts may get a little outrageous and a tad predictable. But there are still plenty of twists to catch you off guard. You’ll laugh, you’ll be on the edge of your seat and you’ll even find yourself flinching or cringing a little at times.

Should you or should you not read the comic first?

That really depends on how much you want to know ahead of time. Some of the twists weren’t revealed in the trailers. The movie is pretty faithful to the comic, something pretty rare for a “comic book movie.” There are obviously some minor differences but if you have read it before, you’ll smile hearing some lines taken directly from the comic. Washington’s casting is a bit of a departure. I felt as if his character and Wahlberg’s were closer in age in the comic. But seeing the two together, it absolutely does not matter. These two made the movie fun.

You’re probably aware this isn’t a piece of fine art. It’s not meant to be. Usually at this point in the summer, all the “big” Hollywood movies have been released. This is a movie that gives you a reason to go back to the theaters one more time.

It’s more than just about Washington and Wahlberg. Those two could have easily carried the burden of being the box office draw. We are also treated to great performances by Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, James Marsden and Paula Patton. That’s what makes the movie even more of a pleasant surprise. You get a sense that some thought and care was put into the making of this movie. Not only is it faithful to the comic, the filmmakers also made sure it had a great cast and delivered a really good quality production.

The movie is rated R. Clearly there is quite a bit of violence. There’s plenty of shooting, killing and explosions. It gets a little over the top but that’s what you should expect from this kind of movie. There is also some brief nudity and plenty of profanity. In other words, this isn’t a family film. What it is is a movie you go see with your friends. Buy some popcorn, lean back in your seat and just enjoy the movie and have a great time.

I mentioned leaving the theater with a smile. It’s not a “feel good” movie. But it will make you laugh and give you a good time. That’s exactly what I want for my money. It’s fun and absurd with over the top action. Do I want a sequel? Boom! Studios did release 3 GUNS this week. I would indeed love to see these two return to the characters.movieboxoffices.wordpress.com