The System

Sometimes just sad, but usually mean and you never see him smiling.

Sadly, this movie deserves the 3.5 rating it currently has. I gave it a 4 as I'm a sucker for prison movies. The plot is unoriginal and unrealistic with gaping plot holes. The shocking plot twists are predictable and boring.

Have we ever seen a movie where the upstanding guy ends up in a prison with an unscrupulous warden? But this is no Shawshank Redemption. Have we ever seen a secret fight league run by the guards/warden? Yeah, but I can't even remember those movies names. This is worse than those.

One oddity is that they have the fighters wear body armor. Just weird. One stupid goof is they have Tyrese benching what looks to be 135 lbs. And struggling at it. I'm 5' 6", in ok shape, and I can do that easily.

They pulled in two actors with credible resumes; Jeremy Piven and Terrence Howard. Neither have decent showings. Pivens' fake southern accent and clownish behavior are amateurish. Howard's big brother teacher role is average at best.

Anyway, it was mildly entertaining for what it is.

I always make an effort to give some slack to newb filmmakers, but they need to at least bring something fresh to the table. Writer and director Dallas Jackson gave us a film that's been done many times before, and many times better. There was nothing new or engaging in the dragged out 97 min runtime, but cliched characters with cheesy dialogue, a predictable and bland script, with sub-par performances all around. It was clear that Jackson was inexperienced directing his cast effectively, but at least Terrence Howard and Jeremy Piven gave it their best attempt; Tyrese Gibson gave his lousiest, laziest and most boring performance to date, like it was his first acting gig. He made it seem like he'd rather just be at home calling in his lines - even him just walking around so slow in his scenes felt like he was struggling to stay awake. Had Gibson put in just half the effort (even with some facial expressions) like the rest of the cast did, this may have been more watchable. But instead, it was a boring slog with mediocre action and a barely existent narrative. It's a very generous 5/10 from me.

10 minutes and 15 seconds and bam slap. My name is Lt. Killian well they got the name of your character correct because your killing the movie with your so called acting. Haven't watched passed that but if it's an indication of whats to come well damn Tyrese, Terence and Jeremy are going to do some really good acting and some good action scenes to make up for his and the other guards because their acting SUCKS. Not all the guards acting needs help not all the guards but most of the ones with speaking parts and damn even some of the inmates acting was far from acting seemed more like some middle school kids play acting.

Almost worth it for a scene where Jeremy Piven's character is pretending to be in the same room as the rest of the cast. The budget was certainly blown on the couple of recognisable faces present. Unfortunately it's a low bar all round for this one. The costumes look a bit naff and the acting is largely terrible. There's an under current to the script which isn't too bad an idea addressing the corporation of the prison system in the US coupled with the treatment of ex-army Vets however direction, location, lighting and the juxtaposition of over earnest with plain bad acting unfortunately ends up delivering a difficult watch. A couple of funny moments (maybe not intentional mind) and a few passable fight sequences.

I decided to watch this movie because of the appearance of the excellent actor Terrence Howard. He does act well (again), but the rest of this movie is a stinker...

The bad: this story does not make sense. It's gibbledigook nonsensical. And mind you, this story is meant to be taken seriously, but it ends up being a laughing stock.

More bad; 2 actors are performing well, but the rest of the cast is hopelessly below average. This movie is rushed or at least void of any talent in writing and directing.

Not even the action is worth the watch. I am a fan of action B-movies, but this movie is just completely lacking in any sort of exciting action as well. What a dud!