Homefront

HOMEFRONT

Director : Gary Fleder

Year : 2013

Genre : Thriller

Rating : *

 

Before I start, I want to say that I like Jason Statham. I really do. I think he is one of the most charismatic and entertaining actors working today, who knows what genres work for him and sticks to them. Rather than pursuing other character types or acting above his abilities, Statham firmly remains in the action category and it is here where his cockney attitude and hard man persona really shines. Actors are usually expected to venture out of their comfort zone and push boundaries, normally in the conquest of awards or critical praise. But not Jason Statham. In fact, I don't think awards or praise mean a jot to him. Much more interested in making movies than being recognised for them, he is one of a dying breed; an actor who doesn't care about riches or accolades and is much more concerned about keeping his massive fan base happy by giving them exactly what they want. So it with a heavy heart to say that 'Homefront' is absolutely awful and makes Jason Statham look like a total amateur. Based on the novel by Chuck Logan, the film tells the boring story of an ex DEA's battle with a dangerous meth lord after the families become enemies when their children fight at school. Written by Sylvester Stallone, the script is terrible, the characters are barely developed and the narrative is stupid, stupid, STUPID! My God, I hate this film...

When a young girl hits a long time bully in the face, the parents of the boy (played by Kate Bosworth and Marcus Hester) ask for the help of their meth lord brother (James Franco) to get revenge against the father of the girl who attacked their son (Statham). Being a former DEA agent, Statham has a lot of criminal enemies and when Franco enlists the help of those who have a personal vendetta against him, a battle ensues between Statham and Franco. Sound confusing? TRY WATCHING IT!

As well as Jason Statham, 'Homefront' stars Kate Bosworth, Marcus Hester, James Franco, Winona Ryder and Clancy Brown and every single one of them give a terrible performance. None of them put any effort into their roles, the screenplay is as lazy as any I have heard this year and the characterisations are none existent. Now, it may be unfair to point the finger at the actors because they are only doing what they are told to do by the script and the director. But they could at least try. Gary Fleder has made some fairly good films and Sylvester Stallone can write good material as he proved with the rubbish but fun 'The Expendables' series. So the idea of all of these elements coming together is a promising one. The actors (well, most of them) are good, the director is talented and Stallone has the capacity to write entertaining stuff.  But none of the ingredients work. Whatsoever. The direction is terrible, the acting is terrible, the story is terrible. It is just terrible.