Disgusting, fascist piece of crap. There aren't enough letters in the alphabet to grade this film. F

levy you never watched the movie.

I remember you hated the movie long ago before it released saying it is unnecessary violent and blah blah

I don't understand how the movie has 8.3/10 rating on IMDB while critics are ripping it apart.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804461/" target="_blank

meh

lol, uh.. he did see it. When he said it's "far too violent," he was reviewing it.

yup

levy is a german critic and sometimes sees film much before anyone else does.

You give this film way to much credit. It was to stupid to have any statement or ideology.

The people in the theater were laughing during parts of the final act and I don't blame them this film is hilariously bad. I knew want I wanted going in, a decent Deathwish clone with lots of blood and action and I was entitled to becuase surely thats not hard to pull off? Apparently its very hard.

There are massive lapse in logic every 5 minutes and the gang members have the worst aim in the world, worst then Harry in Dumb and Dumber. John Goodman's cameo will definetly go down in my list of most bizarre and stupid ever, and that final act!!

It was Wicker Man levels of funny and the audience seemed to agree. Oh an the director surely played that slowly rolling car scene for laugh's no other explination for it. And while I'm here aren't cops suppose to arrest a man if he admits to killing someone? I mean even if its a street thug?

You chould write an entire thesis on this film and its failings.

F

I'm definetly ranting more about this later...............fuck me!! Film....................sooooo stupid!!

What they said above

Gulli, Levy... I hate to say it, but you guys are dead wrong on this one.

Death Sentence is some kind of brilliant, blistering nu-exploitation masterpiece with a great streak of pitch black comedy running through it. If Halloween were a better film, it and Death Sentence would make a great Grindhouse-like double feature this weekend.

James Wan has really proved his worth as a filmmaker since his shaky directorial debut (Saw was a success because of its screenplay), as both this and his earlier movie this year -- Dead Silence -- had magnificent palettes and masterfully elaborate, expressionistic camera work. If you are a fan of complex one-takes, there are several moments in Death Sentence that will have you in total awe.

This is a dirty, grotesquely violent picture that is made with abundant skill and artistry. Much like the work of De Palma, this is cinema for cinemas sake, and there is a lot to love here.

Always love to read your reviews Makeshift, elegant and well written as always.

But I mean lets throw up a few criticism's I have.

1. The Gang is like a bunch of bad rejects from Mad Max
2. Bacon already has motivation to become a vigilante from the death of his son, why did the movie insist on screwing around for half the running time before introducing yet more totally unneeded motivation?
3. How does Bacon go from weak white collar worker to badass that beats up barstaff when he is suffering gunshot wounds?
4. The police make no sense, two officers get killed outside Bacons house and yet there is no massive police manhunt for these people?

I do enjoy this sub-genre when done right, one of the main reasons Mad Max is in my all time top 100 is the way it handles the vigilante situation. But this!! Makeshift my man we'll definetly have to disagree on this one.

Yes from a cold point of view it ain't an F movie, the final scene is very touching and some of the general camerawork is inventive but i'll admit I tend to give an F if at least 70% of a film pisses me off

In 2107, when films like 2001, Vertigo or Annie Hall are forgotten (the hell, Annie Hall is already forgotten), DEATH SENTENCE will reign supreme as the epitome of the art of cinema.

This was the most interesting time I've had in a movie in quite sometime. I walked out of the theater unsure of whether or not I hated it. I did know one thing though - it's techinically very well made. Makeshift brought up the one-takes that this film has; they're jaw dropping. Outside of Kevin Bacon jumping on cars like a dumbass, the one-take in the garage is one of the best I've seen.

Aside from the technical standpoint though, the film kind of lost me in the second half. For the first 70 minutes I was with it every step of the way. Then, when the gang invaded the house, it lost me (Briefly). The scene is just not needed at all. Gulli's second and fourth point are right on the money. If this is such a routhless gang that the police know are coming after Bacon's family, they only leave two guards there? What the hell? And then the rest of that scene, which started off so good (Minus the cops)..........

It just kind of left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the film. And the ending is compltely unsatisfying, and flat out dumb.

Another small problem I had with the film is John Goodman's character. I won't give anything away, even in a spoiler thingy, but the twist of sorts with that character and the outcome was just kind of disturbing. We already know "so and so" is what he is, why did he have to do what he did?

However, I think the film as a whole is good. I wouldn't say I liked the film, because this isn't enjoyable on any level except for the technical aspect (And we all know how many people are aware of the techincal aspects of a film), but it's well made.

B-

I also liked the placing of the Saw puppet.

Not you to Jmart!

I know........

Although I do admit, I agree (Along with #2 and #4) with the gang's aiming issues. Bacon should've been shot dead at least five times during the foot chase. He also somehow managed to miss losing a foot from a shotgun blast in his bathroom. His foot wasn't even out sight when his bathroom wall exploded.

I actually enjoyed the first 10 or so minutes... Basically, I enjoyed the film up until Jr. gets slashed. I did feel a little bad when this moment happens, so I'll give the film credit for creating this effect on me.

After this, I just felt that the entire film went kablooey! I didn't know what to make of this film: on one hand, a few moments were somewhat emotional; on the other, most of the movie just comes across as half-baked and ridiculous. Basically, I'd describe this film as a stylish and showy dunce cap with the essence of sadomasochism* underneath it.

Yes, I know that we're suppose to throw logic out the window for some of these films, but it was very hard to do with this one. It's a film that, in a way, we were expected to take seriously. In addition, Aisha Tyler, as a detective, just grated on my nerves. The woman couldn't find her way out of a shoe store let alone be running the show regarding police instruction.

Finally, I'm sorry, but if this were real, Kevin Bacon would be dead. End of film...

Yes, I know we can say that about many, many films. However, this film wasn't intended as the brainless action flick where bullets are flying, etc. It was intended to be somewhat realistic. That's what I expected to be going into.

All in all, this film is a stylish mess and lacks credibility... I can see why those who hate it, hate it; and why those who like it, like it.

Personally, I can't say that I like it, and I can't say that I hate it. I don't know... I feel very displaced regarding this film, and can't give a straight answer just yet. Honestly, I don't know what to think, and have to let it settle for a day or two before I can form a final say.

-----------------------
*Sadomasochism -- gratification gained through inflicting or receiving pain; sadism and masochism combined.

...

I'll go on record that James Wan is becoming a very good director with his gritty style that he brings to his films (except Dead Silence which was boring as hell). I have to say the chase through the streets and garage was really awesome. The movie picked up great from there, with some "eye rollers" along the way.

I was into the film the whole time. Thats not to say there isnt rediculousness though. Bacon was cool, if sometimes just kind of rediculous how tough he was. The cops just really do nothing in the film, except talk at times (Throughout all of his films, except maybe Saw II all of Wan's cop characters are terrible) I wasn't expecting that much, and its not the best revenge flick ever, but its by no means bad. Go in with low expectations and just expect some good action, you'll be fine.

Solid B

A lot of people on these forums typically write very long, extensive reviews. I've never really expected that anyone wanted to hear much of what I wanted to say about a film beyond whether or not I liked it, so in general I've refrained from writing more than a couple sentences by and large. However Death Sentence is such a disturbingly hateful film that I feel compelled to write a very spoiler filled in-depth look at the film's plot, which paints a picture where poor, urban youth are "animals" who lust only for blood. These kids hang out in an abandonded church making meth, driving big angry, scary cars. One day these kids decide that, to exact revenge against Kevin Bacon for flashing his lights to have them turn their lights on, slice open his kid's neck, a future pro-hockey player who had the whole world ahead of him. Of course Bacon tackles the killer himself, sees his face, and proceeds to watch him get hit by a car, get thrown into the air, then somehow get up and lurks off into the darkness.

Maybe my knowledge in fatal wounds isn't extraordinary, but for some reason poor Jr. gets all the way to the hospital. However he only survives long enough for the doctor to walk out right when his mother and younger brother show up so we can have a muted scene of Kelly Preston breaking down, all set to some very silly emotional music which is used whenever the film makers want to elicit sympathy. The kid gets identified and some detectives tell Bacon about how much of an "animal" he is, about how Bacon's son was the vicitim of an "initiation killing", that it was just some really shitty luck. Of course the evil, beauracratic judicial system (curse them!) lets the killer go off scotch free through some blatantly stupid circumstances, all while the punk is sneering at the devastated father. The kid's gang picks him up laughing and cheering in front of the court house and proceed to get the kid laid. Little do they suspect that Bacon is following them. He returns to his house to find a good weapon to use against the killer (favorite line: Kevin Bacon is sifting through the tool shed, pulling out all manner of knives and hammers when his son asks him what's he's doing, to which he angrily replies "Nothing!"). Of course they play this off like the guy had no idea what was going to happen, with the poor gangster even accidentally stabbing himself.

Remember when I was telling you about what shitty luck Kevin Bacon had? Whoops, turns out the kid was the younger brother of Head Goomba, a very, very poorly thought out reflection of Bacon's character. The gang figures out that it was Bacon because one of their sister's saw him hanging out on the street, and here's where the movie gets realllllly stupid. In one of the worst chase sequences of all time, a dozen young hoodlums running as fast as they can can't catch the middle aged hero, who stumbles at every turn and runs into everyone who passes him. Nevermind that said chase lasts five minutes and the bad guys are never more than 10 yards behind him, he somehow loses them in a parking garage. This gives the director a good opportunity to whip out some of those long, tracking camera shots that worked such wonders in Children of Men. It's a nice little cinematic scene, a bit of fresh air from the overdone stupidity and hate-mongering we've been witnessing so far, but it's snuffed out when Bacon gets in a ludicrous fight with one gangster in a car that's slowly rolling towards the edge of the roof. All while these wild action scenes happen the stupidest police in the history of film do nothing about the war that's started, and the two cops they do leave outside Bacon's house (both of whom look bored, easily distracted by one another, out of shape) both suffer quick fates. So at this point they decide they haven't made us feel sorry enough about this poor perfect American Dream family that's been shattered forever. Nope, wifey gets her brains blown out, the kid gets shot into a coma, and for no good fucking reason they only shoot Bacon once in the side and assume he's dead. And just when this film couldn't have been trying to sell the audience any harder on how evil poor teenagers are, it gets so broiled in the brutality onscreen that it floods into every aspect of the last act.

Kevin Bacon wakes up and flips out, with doctors and cops restraining him. It's once again muted to very sad music, and really just comes off like someone tone deaf is trying to recreate Sean Penn's realization that his daugher is dead in Mystic River, and make it even more overdone. The detectives tell Kevin Bacon that this has gone on long enough and that he should let bygones be bygones, and decide that they don't need anyone to follow him or see what he does from this point on. Big mistake, Bacon escapes out the hospital window and makes it to his unguarded bank where he takes out all the money he has to buy a shitload of guns. John Goodman plays the guy he's buying the guns from, who so happens to be the father of Head Goomba and the dead killer of Jr. He even realizes who he's selling the guns to but just laughs and tells him to do whatever the fuck. Enter next scene - his evil son blows his brains out because he's just that hardcore. That's what you get for raising such bad children.

At this point, to just confirm what wicked intentions this film has, Bacon shaves his head and dresses like a Neo-Nazi, all to some badass rock music. Incredibly, things get even uglier when we are fed some seriously stupid action scenes where Bacon decimates the remaining crew all the way until he gets to the final confrontation with Head Goomba. The director takes a misguided cue from John Woo and sets it in an old chuch that's neon red, and has both pump lead into each other, although Bacon hits him far more times. Both heavily wounded, they sit next to each other where dying Head Goomba snarls "Look what I've made you into!", as if he was proud that he caused some nice family man to kill his gang, brother, and himself. Despite bleeding out of multiple spots Bacon manages to stumble all the way back to his house, where he watches home movies of the perfect family he used to have before those poor teenagers ruined it all. The detectives come in and let him die in peace. The end.

-------------


Ok, so what the fuck did I just watch? The optimist in me wants to think that James Wan decided to make the Airplane! of brutal revenge movies, a film that takes itself so dead seriously while simultaneously managing to be bigoted, promoting hate and violence, and being full of incredible gaps in logic that it just can't be for real. I wish I honestly believed that this was Wan's intentions, but let's not forget this film was made by Fox. Y'know, maybe Death Sentence, with it's opening titles mixed to "home videos" of this perfect family only to devolve into such violent filth, is meant to show us that revenge destroys people. Ok, but if that's really what the film believes in why does it celebrate and bathe in the blood shed so freely? Oh no, the film makes a point to hammer into the audience's head that Kevin Bacon was meant to destroy his own life to end the lives of those evil hoodlums. It's blatant hate mongering, a film made with an agenda and representing the very worst aspects of our society. Sure, some of those grainy moments and the interesting framing make the film look nice and polished, but at it's very center this movie is rotten as all hell. That's not to say you won't enjoy it, or that you should feel guilty for doing so. I for one was completely engrossed while watching it, and was able to appreciate some of the visually appealing moments sprinkled in. I just hope that those who do watch it, whether they're silent or laugh hysterically (my audience was divided), are not so easily swayed by the simplistic, cliched look at society, which is meant to scare them and make them hate those in the welfare system. Because I think if the producer's had their way, that's exactly what the movie would do to them. Thank god it's so poorly done.

Completely agree with you. I totally forgot about the pop song ehich were sooo bad.

By the way. When the prosecutor tells Bacon the kid will only get 5 years because there's no murder weapon and no other witnesses it is complete bullshit. First of all: They can still get him for accessory to murder (there might be another term for it, but you get the idea). Plus: They totally omit that the gas station owner has been slaughtered as well. That makes accessory to murder in two cases which will easily get the kid 20 years in prison, right?

Its redeeming quality is the camera work. I love James Wan's style of films, from Saw, Dead Silence and now Death Sentence. He makes certain scenes more effective and tense than they should be. Really, really impressive.

Otherwise, it's just an okay flick. Lots of things don't make sense, the last ten minutes of the film is awful, and the "action" is kinda dull.

I didn't find it as laughable and atrocious as some of you did, it's not that bad. Just nothing special.

*½

DEATH SENTENCE - 8/10 (B+)

A very effective revenge thriller. It took a couple of surprising turns, and the ending is sad. It's basically your usual revenge flick but done very satisfyingly. My rating is a strong 8/10.

Hmm, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. I actually really dug it for the first hour or so, despite its rather illogical nature, simply due to its gritty, handheld style and impressive camera work. But once the family gets killed and Bacon becomes a nazi it enters a whole new area of ridiculousness that, while satisfying on a base level, is far too silly. I have literally zero experience with exploitation film, specifically revenge thrillers, so perhaps I'm missing something, but the flaws in this film (the hilariously inept police force, the bizarre use of pop songs, John Goodman's incomprehensible character) simply loom to large to ignore. I'm all for cinema for cinema's sake, but I saw very little of that in this film.

When Bacon started shaving his head the movie became a complete joke.

C-

Death Sentence

Wow. What a sensational film. I was utterly gripped at every point. The film didn't shy away from the hard-hitting scenes that most other thrillers/revenge movies do -- his son gets murdered, but then later on his wife gets murdered and his other son almost dies too. This never usually happens in modern day thrillers, and I applaud Wan for this. Very rare, and rather risky. The chase sequence through the back alleys and into the parking garage was simply awesome too. I was not sure if he would get out of it. I was folding my arms while watching, and during that scene through the end of the movie, I was clenching my arms and I now have red patches in the shape of my fingers. This was tense, edge-of-your-seat stuff. I can't believe I hadn't watched this sooner. So cool.

Kevin Bacon is very strong as the lead, and all the other roles are also fine. The music in this is what elevates it above your average thriller, but also the change from CEO to vigilante is memorable.

Ok, the bad; the gangs' aim is very bad, and the part with the younger son saying "would it have been easier if I'd died?" was very unneeded, and quite cliche. Everything else was brilliant and very reminiscent of 70s or 80s revenge thriller where logic takes a back seat to make way for sheer brute force narrative and statement-inducing violence.

A