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Law Abiding Citizen [2009]
Mark MacLeod

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RATED: R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language.
DIRECTOR: F. Gary Gray
RUNNING TIME: 109 mins
DATE SEEN: February 7, 2010

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"The System Must Pay"

After a plea bargain results in one of his family's killers going free, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) takes matters into his own hands and vows that justice will be served, by any means neccessary.

I loved this movie. It possessed a high level of tension right from the beginning. Gerard Butler's character transforms from an emotionally crushed husband and father to a man absolutely hell bent on revenge. As more details of Clyde's life are revealed, the story becomes even more engaging. I think Butler was a great choice for this role. I haven't really seen much of his work previous to this, but the role really seemed to suit him.

Jamie Foxx plays assisstant DA, Nick Rice. The man who settled with the aforementioned plea bargain. Foxx plays the role well, coming across as cool and calm in the early stages. But as the events unfold, he's pushed further and further as he attempts to put an end to the madness, fearing what may be next.

I would absolutely recommend this for any fan of action and suspense. Not wanting to sound like a typical review, but "an intense thrill-ride" springs to mind. Also, I have to mention one scene in particular. I don't want to spoil anything, but there was a moment I found to be particularly brutal. It actually pretty much shocked me (in a good way). Let's see if you know it when you see it.

4.5 / 5

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A working man's working man, Mark is a jack of all trades. A food connoisseur of the highest regard, Mark is Modern Distraction's resident editor-in-chief and head of the graphics department. He lives in Westmount, Nova Scotia with his fiancee, Lisa

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