Someone somewhere should stump up the $10million or so that Nicolas Cage clearly needs so he doesn't have to trash his reputation further with nonsensical stuff like this.
Hell, I'll contribute a pound of two to halt further erosion of the once impeccable Cage brand.
Hot on the heels of the lamentable Trespass comes Justice, which is not quite so lamentable but has so many holes that it could double as a colander at Christmas.
This is Route One retribution stuff although Cage declared - perhaps to himself in the mirror before signing on the dotted line - that he took the part because of its philosophical examination of human nature.
Cage is Eng Lit teacher Will, happily married to cellist Laura, living a life of unruffled middle class contentment.
Only Laura is raped and when a mysterious figure called Simon (Guy Pearce, always effective) offers to unleash his vigilante gang to even the score, Will's liberal credentials go out the window. Oh yes, Simon just wants a couple of favours in return. . .
The central conceit is bust apart quickly. Why would a shadowy organisation expend so much energy converting reluctant amateurs into murderers? To distance themselves from the crimes, you cry. Why then, I reply - angry now - would they engage in running gun battles in public places if anonymity was their thing?
Calm, calm, calm. Director Roger Donaldson did a good job with No Way Out and The Bank Job and there is no lack of tension as Will is put through the mill in his quest to expose Simon.
This is a needless melodrama with contrivances that act as toothpick supports that strain to stop the edifice from crumbling into an embarrassing heap.
– From November 2011
