Deadlock

Can't believe there are 2 people that actually gave this a 10/10 stars and one person gave it a 7/10. Assuming those three people are either involved in the film in some way or related to someone, because there is no way this deserves higher than 4 stars.

The action is so unbelievable. Bad guys run out in the open, don't even raise weapons, just so they can get shot. One point the hero slides 50+ feet down a rope, loses grip, grabs onto stairs, while bad guys walks down stairs with a gun, gets right next to him, just so the hero can punch him and yes knock him out with one off balance punch. Bad guy didn't even raise gun, warn him, or anything, just walked up to get punched out. Then the hero goes into room, proceeds to get another bad guy in choke hold, shoots the other two bad guys in the room, then shoots the bad guy he's holding in the head without concern the bullet should've gone through the head & into the arm he was using to hold him.

Terrible, terrible, terrible.

Before I checked, I assumed this was directed by some amateur unexperienced young filmmaker - or a high school drama class, and was shocked to find out that Jared Cohn has 47 directorial credits and 20 writing credits under his belt. It was so horribly directed in every aspect - from poorly executed scenes, transitions, and camera angles, with prop and set mistakes, massive incohesive and illogical plot and structure issues, failure to direct his cast, etc. This felt like a 1980's amatuer camcorder production. And the flaws are so obvious, a little effort would've gone a long way. Even the use of actual Katrina disaster clips were poorly edited in.

The screenplay (jointly written by Cam Cannon and Cohn) bounced all over the place with scenes in and out of nowhere, and the first half was convoluted in the poor attempt to create some plot twists, which even when they become evident, there's many bits and pieces missing. Most of the dialogue will make you shake your head and/or cringe. However, the use of a hydroelectric dam as the main setting for this crime thriller was well conceived and utilized, and I'm sure helped maintain the film's low budget. But the entire "payback" premise of the dam was far fetched and a cringeworthy attempt to piggy-back the Katrina disaster.

Casting and performances were ok for the most part, but very evident many actors much-needed at least some direction from Cohn. Willis' performance was actually one of his better, in his usual monthly b-film showcase appearances. Patrick Muldoon, Chris Cleveland and Ava Paloma were the only actors close to being convincing in their characters, although Douglas Matthews was on point as the comic-relief. The score wasn't bad, and even though the pacing was decent, the 97 min runtime could've used some trimming.

Nevertheless, I finished the film, and wasn't disappointed I watched it, especially since I had nothing better to do. It's a generous 5/10 from me.

I used to like this Willis chap many moons ago. He made movies that fired up my testosterone levels to the point I would roll over my kitchen table and shoot imaginary terrorists just before making a sandwich. Alas, those days are gone now and what we are left with is an old haggard looking man, just about delivering his lines and possibly trying not to soil himself. Over the last few years, I have given him chance after chance and feel let down every time, what a way to ruin one's legacy. This is another run of the mill 'action' movie that isn't worth your time. I was so upset, I decided to wire my butlers door handle to the electric mains just to brighten up my day. Blast and double blast!

"Deadlock" tells the story of Ron Whitlock (Bruce Willis), a wanted criminal, leading a team of mercenaries on a mission of vengeance. The ruthless group brutally seizes an energy plant and holds everyone inside hostage. Retired army ranger Mack Karr (Patrick Muldoon) has to save the day. The action scenes are ample but not thrilling. The storyline is very predictable and the acting performance of Bruce is again under par. I still don´t get it. It really looks like Bruce is forced to act. He just seems burnt out. On the other hand, I liked the performance of Patrick Muldoon (Mack). At least one good actor in an $11,000,000 budget movie. Don´t waste your time! Skip this movie.

I've committed to watch every low budget film that Bruno makes. Muldoon was terrible in this film, and I like the man as an actor. The project lacked the usual co-stars like Lydia Hall, Chad Michael Murray, etc that Bruno usually works with.

Felt like this was shot in about 15-20 days.