Rated R, 93 minutes
"Haywire" is the new spy action thriller from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh. Intense and often satisfying, Soderbergh's new film features one of the first breakout performances of 2012 in newcomer Gina Carano, a professional mixed martial arts fighter-turned-actress. Soderbergh took a huge risk in giving Carano, an untested performer with limited film experience, the lead role in a serious spy thriller, but even with her flaws the film still works to her advantage. Carano is Mallory, a freelance covert operative who is double crossed while on assignment in Barcelona and must use her skills to exact revenge on those who set her up. Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum and Antonio Banderas are among those involved in her manhunt. Carano's limited range as an actress is actually an asset; her minimalist performance gives way to the movie's more entertaining scenes and something she does far better, which is kick some butt, reminding of a young Mariska Hartigay ("Law & Order: SVU") with martial arts skills. As a spy thriller, "Haywire" lacks depth even under Soderbergh's assured hand, but as a revenge flick it works perfectly which is why it's worth seeing. Memorable scene: Carano's up close and personal fight with Fassbender in a small hotel room that you won't easily forget.
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