I am sad to report this film's title is, for the most part, apropos.

A charismatic cast, led by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Zoe Saldana, fails to ignite this deficient, inconsistent action film. Morgan is Clay, the intense leader of an elite Special Forces unit. Under his command are ace sniper Cougar (Óscar Jaenada), computer wizard Jensen (Chris Evans), knife-wielding explosives expert Roque (Idris Elba), and sarcastic driver/pilot Pooch (Columbus Short).

In Bolivia, ordered to facilitate the assassination of a drug lord, Clay and his team endanger themselves and the mission to save a group of children in the line of fire, which they fail to do. Sorrowful, furious, and disavowed by the United States and Max (Jason Patric), a mysterious, powerful figure who controls the CIA and NSA, Clay's team burn their dog tags and become the revenge-minded title antiheroes. They soon join forces with Aisha (Saldana), a beautiful, lethal stranger who also aims to overthrow Max.

This film's main flaw is an inconistent tone. We are reminded again and again the protagonists are avenging dead Bolivian children. The film insists they are grave, serious patriots who want to prove their innocence and return home. Why then do Clay and his men seem so gleeful when inflicting violence? There is never a real sense of purpose driving their brutality. They seem men who enjoy espionage and firepower just because, as they should in a cut rate popcorn action film. The dead children and Dramatic, Emotional Scenes™ are incongruous downers. The actors are solid, though, or at least try their best. Credit Chris Evans in particular for infusing a bland character and exposition-laden dialogue with charm and magnetic screen presence.

The film has more fun with Max, a colorful, globe-trotting, and urbane supervillain played with understated bite by Jason Patric. In the film's most memorable scene, Max shoots a woman with an umbrella because she missteps in the sand and lets a ray of sunlight touch him. He does this with casual ease and a slight grimace. It is a brief moment of inspired, mean-spirited hilarity.

In fact, The Losers would be better if the title was Max and the focus on Patric and his character's absurd, Blofeld-esque exploits. Alas, it is not. We are left with a dull, hesitant, and routine spring action film with too few moments of genuine inspiration or value.

C

The Losers may not have the strongest script out there but there are some interesting scenes about that in the end its a good fun ride. The entire cast works surprisingly well together and the action was better than some previous films this year such as Clash of the Titans. Hopefully the hinted sequel will come but if not this action ride is good enough. **1/2

So it is essentially Kick-Ass?

Kick-Ass was consistent, though.

I loved Kick Ass, but you're out of your fucking mind.

In tone? Umm, really?

All right, I'll admit the second half was a bit more absurd/openly far-fetched than the first half, but the entire film had a delightful, tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic yet retro-respectful vibe. It didn't feel tonally schizophrenic to me, just complex.

The Losers alternates from scene to scene between depressing and stupid-goofy with whiplash-inducing verve.

The Losers' kick Kick Ass's ass!

(...and Zoe takes out Hit Girl - - the end.)

12 out of 5.

Oh, no. Come on. Please. No way.

Zoe's cute, but she seemed uncomfortable and out of her element in this film. The super-stereotypical, forced sexy action heroine, yawn. She never seemed one bit enthused or energized by her character or the physicality of the role, despite other character insisting how "volatile" or "badass" she was.

> Kick-Ass

6/10 -> C

It has its moments and charms. It's not the smartest movie out there, and the action doesn't offer anything new, but a very cool cast saves this one.