12 Rounds (20th Century Fox)
Each Round Takes You Higher
One of my all time favorite movies is Die Hard. The lone man against great odds element, plus the adrenaline packed shots just held my interest and entertained me royally. The new film 12 Rounds reminded me a lot of that film. It isnt as good but there are similarities. John Cena plays a policeman trying to save his fianc. In Die Hard Bruce Willis was playing a cop desperate to save his wife.
At the start of the movie Danny Fisher (Cena) is on patrol in New Orleans with his partner Hank Carver (Brian White). They spot a criminal, Miles Jackson (Aiden Gillan), in a car and give chase. When they get the car to stop Jacksons girlfriend takes off running and is struck and killed by another vehicle. Jackson vows to get revenge against Fisher.
A year later Jackson escapes from prison and kidnaps Fishers fianc Molly (Ashley Scott). He then contacts Fisher ands says they are going to go head to head for 12 rounds like in a prize fight. These will be contests of skill and bravery. If Fisher wins all twelve rounds then Molly will be returned to him. If he loses, she dies.
The twelve rounds keep the pace of the movie flying. There is no shortage of action and adrenaline provoking sequences. The films plot takes it all over the city of New Orleans and makes each event a race against time.
John Cena, a WWE wrestler/entertainer, makes a solid action hero in this film. He isnt the best actor around yet, but he certainly is convincing in the physical requirements of the role. Gillan makes a pure evil villain and Scott is a capable heroine. She gives Molly the right mixture of indignation and bravery.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
Some movies exist just for the action sequences alone. There are no complex characterizations, just in your face action from start to finish. 12 Rounds is such a movie. John Cena isnt Bruce Willis equal yet but he is certainly well on his way.
I scored 12 Rounds a TKOd 6 out of 10.
