I stumbled upon this movie when it randomly flashed into my mind as a vague recollection from my teenage years. It was one of those films my mom would occasionally rent on VHS along with other rental fodder such as 'Metro' with Eddie Murphy and 'Skeletons' with Ron Silver, which I recently watched to revisit those nostalgic memories. While neither of those films were exceptional, they provided decent enough entertainment for a lazy afternoon, so I was looking forward to revisiting yet another one of those rentals with 'Point Blank.'
Unfortunately, this movie turned out to be a completely different experience. While it indeed stands out, it's for all the wrong reasons - its mediocrity, derivative action, and lackluster writing. I can't help but feel sorry for the talented cast, including Mickey Rourke, Kevin Gage (Waingro from Heat), and the always reliable Danny Trejo. Despite their efforts, they're trapped in a film with a dreadful script that borders on nonsensical. The story unfolds in a way that defies logic, making it challenging to suspend disbelief. Characters act without rhyme or reason, seemingly guided only by the director's desire to showcase violent, sleazy, or "cool" scenes-though I'm using that last descriptor loosely, as I find it hard to believe that anyone except the director believed anything that happened in this film to be cool.
Speaking of sleaze, the movie is really mean-spirited, to the point where it's uncomfortable to watch. I'm not a meek person and I do enjoy a good action flick with lots of violence and nudity, but this really isn't the movie that utilizes its gratuitous elements to skillfully deliver visceral entertainment, and instead just makes you feel like taking a shower after watching it. Especially in every scene that involves Trejo. His portrayal of an unhinged maniac, constantly indulging in cocaine, assaulting women, and indiscriminately shooting hostages, will only make you question what kind of a person the director is to think that this would be even remotely entertatining, not to mention confusing to anyone with two brain cells to rub together. Imagine a hostage situation where law enforcement turns a blind eye to such atrocities, opting to send in a John McClane-wannabe to shoot up the place instead. Truly dazzling display of logic right there.
Speaking of John McClane, Point Blank shamelessly borrows ideas from other, more successful action flicks. The premise feels like Con Air in a shopping mall with a sprinkling of Die Hard. And if that wasn't enough, the director even throws in a scene lifted directly from Leon: The Professional, but without the emotional weight or connection to the characters. It comes across as cringeworthy rather than impactful.
The dynamic between Rourke and Gage, portrayed as brothers on opposite sides of the law, only added to my confusion. Their relationship veers from Rourke trying to talk his brother down, to then shooting at him during an action scene, to finally embracing him in his arms as they profess brotherly love. Not only did I feel absolutely no emotion towards any of those characters, but again, the writing and direction are just pure nonsense, and I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel during those scenes.
I'm done. And I haven't even talked about the music, which is eaqual parts hilarious and baffling. You get the idea. It's a horrible movie. I'd only recommend watching it with a bunch of friends just to laugh at how bad it is. The absurdity of the plot could easily rival Samurai Cop, but the difference is that Point Blank was at least shot and acted more competently. Everything else, though, from cheesy music, to tedious plot and nonsensical writing, to poor editing, this was easily one of the worst major studio films I've ever seen.
Unfortunately, this movie turned out to be a completely different experience. While it indeed stands out, it's for all the wrong reasons - its mediocrity, derivative action, and lackluster writing. I can't help but feel sorry for the talented cast, including Mickey Rourke, Kevin Gage (Waingro from Heat), and the always reliable Danny Trejo. Despite their efforts, they're trapped in a film with a dreadful script that borders on nonsensical. The story unfolds in a way that defies logic, making it challenging to suspend disbelief. Characters act without rhyme or reason, seemingly guided only by the director's desire to showcase violent, sleazy, or "cool" scenes-though I'm using that last descriptor loosely, as I find it hard to believe that anyone except the director believed anything that happened in this film to be cool.
Speaking of sleaze, the movie is really mean-spirited, to the point where it's uncomfortable to watch. I'm not a meek person and I do enjoy a good action flick with lots of violence and nudity, but this really isn't the movie that utilizes its gratuitous elements to skillfully deliver visceral entertainment, and instead just makes you feel like taking a shower after watching it. Especially in every scene that involves Trejo. His portrayal of an unhinged maniac, constantly indulging in cocaine, assaulting women, and indiscriminately shooting hostages, will only make you question what kind of a person the director is to think that this would be even remotely entertatining, not to mention confusing to anyone with two brain cells to rub together. Imagine a hostage situation where law enforcement turns a blind eye to such atrocities, opting to send in a John McClane-wannabe to shoot up the place instead. Truly dazzling display of logic right there.
Speaking of John McClane, Point Blank shamelessly borrows ideas from other, more successful action flicks. The premise feels like Con Air in a shopping mall with a sprinkling of Die Hard. And if that wasn't enough, the director even throws in a scene lifted directly from Leon: The Professional, but without the emotional weight or connection to the characters. It comes across as cringeworthy rather than impactful.
The dynamic between Rourke and Gage, portrayed as brothers on opposite sides of the law, only added to my confusion. Their relationship veers from Rourke trying to talk his brother down, to then shooting at him during an action scene, to finally embracing him in his arms as they profess brotherly love. Not only did I feel absolutely no emotion towards any of those characters, but again, the writing and direction are just pure nonsense, and I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel during those scenes.
I'm done. And I haven't even talked about the music, which is eaqual parts hilarious and baffling. You get the idea. It's a horrible movie. I'd only recommend watching it with a bunch of friends just to laugh at how bad it is. The absurdity of the plot could easily rival Samurai Cop, but the difference is that Point Blank was at least shot and acted more competently. Everything else, though, from cheesy music, to tedious plot and nonsensical writing, to poor editing, this was easily one of the worst major studio films I've ever seen.