Snitch

Snitch

Rated PG-13 and Released 2/22/13

Reviewed at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary and friends: Mary, Jerry & Denise

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

We met at Chili's first to get our game plan.

Off to a 7:30 show and the weather could have been a factor, but the theatre was a little light for a Friday. So it was no problem making it in plenty of time to get our favorite rail seats, snacks in hand.

Who would have thought that The Rock can really act! My expectations were low, so this was unexpected. This was by far his best movie, but it could be attributed to the story, which is based on actual events. That is always a draw for me and maybe the reason why I liked it so much. It was really entertaining. Given that it could have been considered a guys flick, Gary, Mark and Jerry gave it between 3 1/2 and 4. Denise was a little more reserved in her endorsement, but my stress level and anxiety next to her in the theatre could have skewed her enjoyment. Sorry Denise. Gary is used to it.

Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) plays John Matthews, a business owner whose teenage son from his first marriage gets arrested after getting mixed up in a heavy drug operation. Desperate to save his son from the mandatory 10-year sentence, he makes deals with the crusty U.S. Attorney, played by Susan Sarandon. There are some underlying messages here on the rationale of the current drug laws that seem to be really out of whack. Especially for first time offenders, but I better leave that subject alone for now. As his son deteriorates in the rough jail system, John risks it all to go undercover to infiltrate a drug ring. Getting deeper and deeper, the amateur's risk is wildly increasing. He also drags Daniel James (Jon Bernthal), one of his employees, into the mix. Judgements and morals are continually challenged for both John and Daniel. The famous line, "what we won't do for our kids," kind of sums up the story. The movie does get rather ambitious with the showdowns with drug lords. And while we know some scenes are a stretch, a long stretch, we are there to be entertained also. For the most part, we all thought it was a suspenseful, energetic plot that kept pace. Go see Snitch and enjoy the wild roller coaster that The Rock will place you on...and see if he saves you.  

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJ