Dead Man Down - B-

Rated R, 110 minutes

Uneven, flawed "Dead Man Down" has some nice, dark moments

Colin Farrell

"Dead Man Down" is a serviceable, stylish if not bumpy neo-noir thriller from acclaimed director Niels Arden Oplev of the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and starring Colin Farrell original dragon tattoo girl herself, Noomi Rapace. Well-cast and filled with some nice dark moments, "Dead Man Down" is hampered by uneven pacing and a highly implausible, muddled story, but what works tends to work well. Farrell is Victor, a third-rate criminal who has infiltrated the inner circle of kingpin Alphonse (Terrence Howard) with the intent of revenge of the murder of his family. His next door neighbor Beatrice (Rapace), a disfigured woman with a past, has discovered some of his secrets and they help each other carry out their own personal campaign of retribution, one that promises to change their lives permanently. "Dead Man Down" is an entertaining, above-average thriller that works because of a sturdy cast and some well-executed, dark moments from director Oplev. Even for a thriller like this, the script from "Fringe's" J.H. Wyman is too contrived and implausible; the film's quieter moments of strength work best until the last act opens up quite explosively. Farrell and Rapace make for a good pairing as two castoffs exacting revenge on their past, and they're well-supported by Howard, Dominic Cooper, still lovely French character actress Isabelle Huppert (seen most recently in "Amour," she steals every scene she's in here as Rapace's hearing-impaired mother) and even F. Murray Abraham in a bit part (yes, that Oscar-winning actor from "Amadeus"). Some of the subplots are muddled and could've easily been excised for better continuity and efficiency, but "Dead Man Down" has some nice, dark moments of death (death by rats is never easy to watch) and brutality, particularly in its energetic climax, which seems a little out of place for an otherwise subdued film. The flawed "Dead Man Down" is worth a look for "Tattoo" fans and those who enjoy a decent thriller.

Wes's Grade: B-