I felt like rating it as a ten simply to fight back against the haters, but felt that it would be hypocritical to do exactly the opposite of those who so easily award 1 or 2 stars when the movie is patently far better than that.
The action took a while to build up steam but was worth the wait. The role of Jack did feel a bit contrived but this is a bloody thriller after all. Strange that Blooms role as Jack should be criticized by many as unbelievable but his biggest role, the one that launched his career and made him famous, was that of an elf.
The reason why I actually enjoy most movies, is because I can easily suspend belief in what is (excluding documentaries, of course) after all, a story made up to entertain people.
The chief criteria for my enjoyment of a movie is, was I entertained by it? Good writing, good acting and good production values all help create the impression that I watched something worthwhile. If I am entertained by the movie, I am far more forgiving of it's minor flaws.
My wife and I discussed the reason for so much negative criticism and considered it might well be because many of the Muslims were shown to be human, an idea obviously anathema to many viewers. I myself lived in Saudi Arabia for close to 10 years and understand that good and bad reside almost equally in most humans and that it takes an act of will to force oneself to rise above bigotry, greed and selfishness. I met many Muslims who were good people by choice in my time in Saudi and also many others I hope never to meet on this or any plane of existence they might believe in.
My wife and I agree on a score of 8.
