Killing Season

I just love films like this. Whether it's Stallone vs. Dennehy, Tommy Lee Jones vs. Benicio Del Toro or even Van Damme vs. Henriksen, I adore the brutal duels, hunting one another, playing cat and mouse, the mano-et-mano actioner against the wild backdrop. It's lovely, and this is what I live for - two of my favourite actors going head-to-head, De Niro and Travolta.

When I saw the trailer for this I just knew it was going to be great, and it didn't let me down. Beautiful scenery fused with a good old-fashioned revenge-filled battle of good and evil. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I was gripped and ready for every scene. Travolta does a convincing Eastern European accent and De Niro plays the elderly man-of-the-wild to perfection.

I was a bit disappointed that neither one met their demise (moreso that Travolta didn't), and a few scenes (like the church duel) were at night (which is hard to see what's going on), but I overlook these sort of things when the film just entertains me so much, it was riveting. The upper hand of power constantly changes from the Serb intent on revenge to the Yank trying to make sense of this crazy encounter. You just never know how it's going to end. The ending is slightly disappointing, but only because the first three quarters is so exciting - I suppose it kind of ends on weak note.

This is the sort of film I could watch again at any time and just start loving it again. I'm glad to see Travolta back in a great movie again since his awesome performance 4 years ago in The Taking of Pelham 123. Where's he been for all this time? But the true surprise is the director, Mark Steven Johnson..he directed Daredevil and Ghost Rider, and produced Elektra and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance....so making a brilliant film such as Killing Season is one hell of a fucking surprise. But a welcome one.

B+

Underrated. Reminds me a lot of Seraphim Falls, travolta despite his obvious unSerbianness he sells it much better than most films in recent years. It's solid if conventional thriller that should have seen a decent release. B/B+ Has almost a surprising Saw element that is kind of a nice surprise. It's certainly better than The Hunted. The action and performances are pretty good. Like said, I think a missed opportunity for the distributor.