Bullet to the Head

Bullet to the Head

Rated R and Released 2/1/13

Reviewed 2/7/13 at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary and Denny

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Bullet to the Head is really more like 2 and 3/4 Js, not quite a 2 1/2 and not quite a 3. Nothing really quality about the acting, especially Sylvester Stallone. However, it was about the perfect length at 91 minutes for the mindless, but fast-paced, violent shoot 'em up drama. Gary and my dad both agreed it was surprisingly more entertaining than any of us thought. There is something about movies like this that you plan on the predictability and the so-so dialogue. Stallone certainly doesn't ramp that up at all, so just take it for what it is.

Stallone plays James who is a really "good" bad guy in the refreshing venue of New Orleans. NYC or LA is the setting for most crime dramas and this is a nice change of pace. James and his partner kill for hire, but there is little remorse for the lives they eradicate and basically their activities go under the radar. Not that James hasn't spent some time in the slammer, but it is as though it doesn't matter quite so much when an assassin kills an amped up criminal. It is evident early on when you make deals with seedy criminals you are setting yourself up for a double cross or two. Have they messed with the wrong person? James wastes no time trying to execute his revenge, literally. Him and a tech savvy cop Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang) stumble into each other's paths to team up and get to the top of the food chain in the corruption. James' daughter Lisa (Sarah Shahi) incorporates small snippets into the story adding some sex appeal and feminine grittiness. The two guys and Lisa eventually get through the layers, very quickly I might add, and all hell breaks loose. James wants to deal with the problems the old fashioned way (get immediate gratifying results), while Taylor wants to flash his badge and put the cuffs on and have due process. Get to the theatre and see Bullet to the Head and see who wins this battle. Your predictions will be right...no surprises here.

QUIET Rating system: 3

1. Quality: JJ

2. Understood story:  JJJ

3. Interest: JJJj

4. Entertainment:  JJJj

5. Time:  JJJy