Review of Haywire (2011) by Mike

Title: Haywire (2011)

Original UK Release Date: 18^th January 2012

Original US Release Date: 20^th January 2012

UK Rating: 15

US Rating: R

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Genre: Action

Plot: While on a mission, a freelance covert operator is double crossed. She sets out to find out who it was and exacts revenge.

Mike's Review

This film was recommended to me by my oldest friend. We have always had similar movie tastes so I gave it a go.

The film introduces us to Mallory Kane (Gina Carano), a highly trained special ops woman who has decided to leave and start a normal life. She is convinced to take on one last job. During the mission she finds out she has been double crossed and has to fight for her life while trying to clear her name and uncover who set her up.

This was an interesting film. It stars some Hollywood greats including Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas & Channing Tatum. However it is newcomer Gina Carano who makes the film work. She is thrown in at the deep end with the starring role in her first feature film, but she pulls it off effortlessly. Looking like a pro against the Hollywood stars, hopefully there is a great future in store for her.

The film is an action packed chase film with some of the best fight scenes I have ever seen. They are graphic and very realistic. Gina Caranos background Muay Thai and MMA allows her to really shine and show off her skills. This film substitutes traditional gun fights for fist fights and they have the realism not usually found in films. The direction is also excellent as you would expect from Steven Soderbergh. It puts you right in the middle of the action and allows you to feel part of the film.

Cleverly shot and utilising locations such as Dublin, Ireland, gives this film a unique look. However the film’s story isn’t anything we haven’t seen many times before. It’s an old story line, but making the main character female and played by an unknown actor makes this one work. When they used the storyline for Mission: Impossible, you all knew Tom Cruise would kick some ass and save the day. But here you don’t know what will happen due to the casting. You are sure she will win out in the end, but there is enough doubt that the outcome is never clear.

Even with the great cast, good locations and excellent directing, the film doesn’t live up to its potential. Yes it is enjoyable and fun to watch, but ultimately it is nothing more than an above average spy film. There was no great villain of the movie and too much misdirection with characters. This doesn’t allow you the opportunity to connect with or despise any of the players. This works to keep you guessing but robs you of any emotional attachment to the story. Fortunately the main character of Mallory Kane is a good one and keeps you engrossed in the story.

This film is definitely worth the time to see it. It gives us a glimpse of a future star in  Gina Carano.

7 out of 10

Additional Information

Stand out performance: Gina Carano as Mallory Kane

Trailer