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| James Franco |
Forgettable, lazy thriller “Homefront” entertains with Franco as Gator
The standard, by-the-numbers and lazy thriller “Homefront” is a joke of a movie, and it’s not even a comedy. Written and produced by Sylvester Stallone, which could be its main joke, the worst part is how predictable, dumb and manipulative it is, though you won’t be bored by much of the action. Jason Statham is a widowed, ex-DEA agent Phil Broker, who settles in small town Louisiana with his young daughter (Izabela Vidovic), but finds his quiet life turned upside down when his path crosses with a band of low level drug traffickers led by Gator (James Franco). Directed unmemorably by Gary Fleder (“The Express”),except for the high kicks provided by Statham, this is a largely forgettable effort, which features some of the dumbest criminals this side of Mayberry. We wouldn’t expect much from Statham, who generally makes these types of things with the “Transporter” films or “Deathrace,” so the real surprise here is finding a decent actor like Franco slumming it in a B-grade action film for a paycheck (he should’ve known this by his character’s name, Gator). In addition to Franco is an ultra-thin Kate Bosworth and scummy Winona Ryder, also playing bad folks, both of whom obviously needed to collect some sort of paycheck for this. The action and some of the bad dialogue (when Franco introduces himself as Gator, you can’t help but giggle) are actually fun at times, but you won’t be a bit surprised and when and how the bad guys meet their fate. Statham’s fan base may turn out for it, but you’ll like find on DVD and pay-per-view pretty quickly. Forgettable, easy and mindless entertainment, “Homefront” comes recommended only if you know what you’re getting into, which isn’t much.
The standard, by-the-numbers and lazy thriller “Homefront” is a joke of a movie, and it’s not even a comedy. Written and produced by Sylvester Stallone, which could be its main joke, the worst part is how predictable, dumb and manipulative it is, though you won’t be bored by much of the action. Jason Statham is a widowed, ex-DEA agent Phil Broker, who settles in small town Louisiana with his young daughter (Izabela Vidovic), but finds his quiet life turned upside down when his path crosses with a band of low level drug traffickers led by Gator (James Franco). Directed unmemorably by Gary Fleder (“The Express”),except for the high kicks provided by Statham, this is a largely forgettable effort, which features some of the dumbest criminals this side of Mayberry. We wouldn’t expect much from Statham, who generally makes these types of things with the “Transporter” films or “Deathrace,” so the real surprise here is finding a decent actor like Franco slumming it in a B-grade action film for a paycheck (he should’ve known this by his character’s name, Gator). In addition to Franco is an ultra-thin Kate Bosworth and scummy Winona Ryder, also playing bad folks, both of whom obviously needed to collect some sort of paycheck for this. The action and some of the bad dialogue (when Franco introduces himself as Gator, you can’t help but giggle) are actually fun at times, but you won’t be a bit surprised and when and how the bad guys meet their fate. Statham’s fan base may turn out for it, but you’ll like find on DVD and pay-per-view pretty quickly. Forgettable, easy and mindless entertainment, “Homefront” comes recommended only if you know what you’re getting into, which isn’t much.
Wes’s Grade: C-
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