Action
‘Final Score’ Review
Genre : Action
Rating : R
Director: Scott Mann
Cast:
Dave Bautista
Ray Stevenson
Pierce Brosnan
When it comes to different forms of entertainment the worlds of film and professional wrestling are closer than one may think. When done well pro wrestling can be an exhilarating mix of athleticism, storytelling and audience work. Considering how compatible these skills are to success in film it’s only natural for wrestlers to try their hand at acting. And while it seems like the skills seem perfect for acting they don’t always transfer over. For every Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or John Cena finding success in Tinsel Town, wrestling hall of famers such as Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan have typically flopped when they tried to headlock Hollywood. And somewhere in the middle is Dave Bautista.
Trained by Afa Anoa’i, Bautista was signed by WWE in 2000 and made his debut in 2002 as Batista. Starting at the bottom of the ladder he became one of the top guys in the game winning multiple world championships and working with some of the best of all time. Popular whether he was a face or a heel he became one of the biggest stars in WWE history thanks to his unique look and seemingly endless amount of charisma. Since leaving in 2010 he has moved onto film appearing in movies such as Spectre, Blade Runner 2049 and, his big break, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. But as big as these movies have been he hasn’t been given a lead role since 2011’s House of the Rising Sun. For the most part he has been cast as, and excelled at being, the hulking giant. But like his wrestling career he has made a name for himself, worked his way up the ladder and finally gets another shot as a lead in the Die Hard-esque Final Score.
Taking time off to go overseas, U.S. veteran Michael Knox (Bautista) visits the family of a friend who was killed in the line of duty. Spending the evening with his friend’s daughter Danni (Lara Peake) the two go to a West Ham United match. As the game begins, international terrorist Arkady (Ray Stevenson) secretly takes control of Upton Park with his army of heavily armed terrorists. When Danni goes missing Michael needs all of his military training to not only save her but prevent a massive disaster.
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical hearing Bautista would be the lead. Not that I think he can’t be the star of a movie but I didn’t think he could work as a John McClane-style action hero. It requires an everyman relatability that you don’t typically find in a guy that’s 6’6″ and nearly 300 lbs. of pure muscle. So, imagine my surprise when he not only pulls it off but turns out to be pretty good at it. Even though his ability as an action star is the focus he shows off a surprising amount of heart as Knox. Sharing a great on-screen chemistry with Lara Peake the two feels real. Whether it’s the playful teasing Bautista gives when he catches her sneaking out or the urgency on his face when Danni goes missing Bautista is able to make it all feel legitimate.
That isn’t to say that Final Score is too heavy on the dramatics. Because while Pierce Brosnan and Ray Stevenson put in the kind of dependable performance audiences have come to expect the real highlight in the supporting cast is Amit Shah as Faisal. A steward at the stadium he is pitch perfect as the movie’s comic relief. Nailing each of his lines he steals almost every scene he is in. Of course, this isn’t a comedy. More than anything else Final Score is a showcase for Bautista to kick butt. And for the most part it delivers.
Directed by Scott Mann (The Tournament) Final Score is a throwback to 90’s style action, Die Hard and Sudden Death in particular. And like those past movies Final Score‘s focus is on the fireworks which it mostly delivers on. We get a little bit of everything from gunplay to hand-to-hand and even a motorbike chase inside of the stadium. The problem arises when it comes to the editing.
Like a lot of action movies Final Score suffers from shaky cam syndrome. While it adds grit to the bike chase and shoot outs it becomes hard to follow when it comes to any hand-to-hand fight scenes. A shame because from what I could tell the fights were well choreographed. Each hit feeling big when you can actually see it. Complimenting the fights were some killer practical effects. We may not have seen the fight but we certainly got to see the aftermath. Certainly, good enough to make up for some lackluster CG effects and an overly cliché plot.
But in all honesty, do these faults really matter? Final Score has no aspirations to revolutionize the world of film or become the next big thing in action cinema. Instead what it aims for is an old school, 90’s action movie such as Sudden Death. And in that respect, it’s near perfect. With a likable cast and some fun action scenes it makes for a brisk, enjoyable watch. Pure popcorn fluff Final Score is perfect for a night in. As for Big Dave, quick with a quip and believable as a badass he pulls off the tough guy with a heart of gold beautifully. Like his time in wrestling it may have taken a bit but he’s finally ready for the main event.
Rating 6/10
Links : IMDB
Final Score is now available on In Theaters and on VOD and Digital HD Now
Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.
Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.
Andrew Garfield
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]
First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.
Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.
Electro
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]
Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.
To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.
Action Sequences
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]
This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.
One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.
Green Goblin
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]
While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.
His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.
Gwen Stacy Death
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]
Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.
What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.
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