Payback - Tag der Rache

i too was suspicious of the low scores this film is getting (too many haters out there who don't like the genre?). Anyway it was packed when i saw at cineworld on Saturday night and got a good reception from a mostly young crowd. The lead actors are very good, some of them fresh talent. Joe Cole from TV's Skins is a revelation. The film goes at a fast pace and has some great fight scenes. Not really a remake of Scum but more a contemporary Brit thriller. You should like it if you have a taste for films like Taken and the Bourne trilogy. Lifted above the hoodie genre tag by the eclectic score of new music and classic soul tunes. Offender deserves to be a hit as its something a bit different from recent British films like Adulthood, Ill Manors etc.

I found this movie to be somewhat entertaining. However you can't ignore the complete lack of acting ability and intimidation factor that English Frank presents. If he were to walk into an actual prison walking and acting as he does. I have a feeling he would not be the "boss" but the joke of the prison. His acting abilities annoyed me throughout the movie. He was terrible! The goal isn't to look like a bully at recess during your teen years. The goal is to look like an intimidating, overpowering, and scary inmate. I did feel that Joe Cole did a great job as the main character. Putting him up against a "gangster wannabe" who is very bad at acting definitely hurt what could have been a much better movie.

Thoroughly enjoyed this film! The lengths the main character Tommy went through for revenge is something special. The actor who played Jake I felt didn't act well enough, it looked to me that his over acting which didn't come off well and perhaps another actor could have done a better job. Would have liked to know what happens to Tommy now that his purpose to go in prison is fulfilled but guess I'll have to make up my own theory. This is definitely a film to watch with an open mind with no expectations Overall very good film! Great acting from the main character! Rated a 6 just due to some of the acting.

It confounds me how many people find this a 'realistic' film blah blah. A "kid" with no record ends up on the same cell block as offenders with multiple convictions? A youth facility with only one female officer? The uncontrolled behaviour of offenders and staff alike is ridiculous and "realistic?" And I don't think I saw any one offender who looked less than 20 and most looked much older. Even Cole in the lead role was 24 when this was made and he's the youngest looking of the bunch.

The injuries are typical film make-up and if you think a washroom beating leaves you with a bruised eye, you don't know "realistic." The probation officer works alone, doesn't call police, then leaves work in the stereotypical dark and gets punched out in front of typically no witnesses, even though she was initially terrified and HAD to know something could happen. Duh. And she has a shiner to show for it and loses the baby. OMG. How contrived. How stereotypical.

Those of you who think this movie has ANY redeeming qualities, you need to see more films. You also need a prison tour. A realistic stint in prison is boring and I get the need to spice it up. But don't be predictable and stereotypical to the point of insulting. Waste of time.

"Offender" is a failed attempt to attract audiences with a mix of drama and thrill within the prison walls. The film tries to present the story of a young man, Tommy Nix, who deliberately gets himself imprisoned to exact revenge on a group of criminals who harmed his pregnant girlfriend. Unfortunately, the screenplay fails to deliver a convincing story or relatable characters.

One of the biggest flaws in "Offender" is the lackluster acting. The film's lead, Joe Cole, gives an unconvincing and uninspired performance, making it difficult for the audience to empathize with his plight. Additionally, the other characters are shallow and underdeveloped, especially the actor who played the main villain, English Frank. His performance is one of the worst I've ever seen. He attempted to portray a psychopathic criminal who does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, with anyone, but he failed miserably in his role. This failure prevented feelings of anxiety and fear from reaching the audience, undermining the credibility of the events and leaving gaps in the story without sufficient explanation or justification.

The direction suffers from a clear lack of innovation and creativity. The violent scenes, which are supposed to be thrilling and impactful, come off as exaggerated and devoid of realism. The excessive reliance on violent scenes strips the film of its message, making it seem like a superficial experience rather than providing a deep social analysis of the prison environment, which the film attempted but failed to deliver.

The screenplay is full of plot holes and predictable scenes, causing the film to lose elements of surprise and excitement. The dialogues are unrealistic, clichéd, and childish, adding to the overall frustration with the film. Additionally, the soundtrack is often inappropriate, exacerbating the film's shortcomings.

Overall, "Offender" fails to achieve any of the goals one might expect from a gritty prison drama. It is a film that lacks depth and innovation, leaving viewers feeling they have wasted their time watching an ill-constructed story with unconvincing performances.

My Rating is 5 out of 10

Note: If you have free time, look for a better experience unless you want to waste your time. Sleeping is better than watching this film.