Death Sentence [2007]

Average customer rating:

Death Wish Remake.

Is Revenge The Best Medicine?

Michael Winner Rides Again

Brilliant Film A Must See

PERFECT!!!

Death Sentence [2007]
Starring: Kevin Bacon , Garrett Hedlund , Kelly Preston , John Goodman , and Leigh Whannell
Director: James Wan
Manufacturer: Entertainment in Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000VEQU36
Release Date: 2008-01-21

Customer Reviews:

Death Wish Remake........2008-03-05

Before renting this I checked out how many stars it got from other reviewers and was reassured to find it was around the 4 mark.But when the titles came on and I saw the film was from a book by Brian Garfield I realised I'd made a ghastly mistake.The first time this was filmed it was called Death Wish and was directed by Michael Winner,never a good recommendation even in his heyday,and starred Charles Bronson.I hated Death Wish in the '70's and I hated this film just as much now.Both versions wallow in sadistic violence whilst trying to pretend that they are somehow morality plays.Oh,I can't be bothered to review this rubbish - to cut things short;happy business/family man's son is callously murdered by violent scum,man shaves head and kills scum,head scumbag points out to man that that they are just the same.Audience has figured this out about an hour or so before.Not recommended unless you like revenge thrillers with not much plot,or films that are violent for the sake of being violent.

Is Revenge The Best Medicine?.......2008-02-24

Kevin Bacon is Nick Hume, a family guy who loves his kids and wife. When a tragic murder is bestowed on his family, he goes crazy with revenge, this film tells the tail of his wish to get vengeance, and his feelings when it all comes down to the bottom line.

I'd recommend this: Kevin Bacon's reactions are pretty good, but maybe not real enough for people, but then again, people react differently. His realisations about what he's doing is great, and not really often seen in cinema. The way he breaks down, yet still continues his crusade is pretty good.

My favourite character had to be Bones, played by John Goodman, he was great in this, his anger and despair of his son; and the fact he made a vital choice to bring a change, was amazing.

I felt Kelly Preston was rather wooden at times, and her reactions were not very real, you'd expect her to be a bit more angry about things that both the killers and Nick have done.

The transfer is pretty good, with 2:31:1 widescreen. The sound was clear, but when it was quiet the character's voices were hard to hear, so at times it felt like it was getting louder during the action scenes. The soundtrack is amazing and really fits the action.

My rental copy had no extras, so hopefully the retail edition does, can't really comment on this.

If you have Blu-Ray definitely rent that- or buy it, but the DVD will suffice for 576p users.

Worth watching, not sure if it's going to have me coming back for more.

Michael Winner Rides Again.......2008-02-19

Its not often I can be bothered to even think about reviewing anything but.........
This was a terrible Film it stated with one massive continuity error and then got steadily worse.
The defining moment the main character (Nick Hume, Kevin Bacon)sons killer, A gang member, has been found stabbed a detective comes round to brake the news and here's our boy with a cut hand (complete with massive bandage) looking like a rabbit stuck in headlights.
Any fictional flatfeet worth there salt McNulty, Bunk, Lester or Kima form the Wire (Plug). Rebus or DS Gene Hunt would have had the boy down town pronto.
But from then on all hell is let lose as the rest of the gang come looking for pay back.
Another of the gang member get bumped off in the same car park where Nick Hume parks for work. Still the police don't seem to see a connection. After being threatened a work by yet another gang member Nick Hume goes to the police and still doesn't get nicked. Despite police protection which the gang manage to despatch easily and quietly they brake into the house and put a collective `Cap' in the oh so perfect family. Think it should have been the script writer. Anyway our boy survives wakes up in hospital. Massive continuity error number two. The cities entire Police has gone on holiday instead of hunting down the Preps who have now killed a couple of there colleges along the way. It wouldn't have been to hard there back at there usual haunts like nothing has happened.
So Michael Winner Death Wish violence ensues (I see someone else has noticed this) all the bad guys get killed our boy goes home. The Police turn up (with suntans obviously) and tell him his son is on the mend. Not you're nicked.
Long story short violence for violence sake and no plot and as much suspense as socks for Christmas again. I thought this sort of film could only be found in the big moustache flares and nylon era but I guess I am wrong.
Finally and some Soldier of Fortune reading inadequate may be able to put me right here but is there any munitions military or other wise that you can put in a 12 gauge shot gun that can shot someone through a brick wall?

Brilliant Film A Must See.......2008-02-16

I don't know why this film has received such poor ratings in some of the reviews here. For example one person says it is an unpleasant film. Er sorry but hello this is a revenge film it is not designed to be pleasant you muppet. Anyway this film is easily one of the best I have seen. The thing that is really good about it is that the suspense is sustained throughout the whole film. There is not really any moment when you are not sitting on the edge of your seat gripping to the sides on this rollercoaster ride of a film. There isn't one member of the cast who doesn't put an excellent performance. Kevin Bacon is simply fantastic and plays the part of a revengeful dad brilliantly. I think the frightening thing that this film explores is the fact that an ordinary man can be turned, due to certain events in his life, into what is basically a vigilante killer. Some may say that this is an unusual film for Kevin Bacon to appear in but it doesn't effect his performance whatsoever. On the whole this is definately a movie I would buy as I would watch it more than once. In conclusion I would just say, go and buy it, you won't be disappointed.

PERFECT!!!.......2008-02-13

I give this 5stars as i cant give it the Universe full of stars! Perfect such an amazing emotional and exciting film.
Pushing the relms of reality just over the line to make it "movie" rather than utter realism. Keeps trhe idea of "its just a movie" but adds "still this is close enough to life" Amazing film.
People who have rated this movie low are clearly of the idea that Kevin Bacon should stick to his emotional based realism movies...this is not one of those...this is some of his most amazing work!
If you are put off by the negative reviews i beg you to rent it...then buy it!
It is the film that pushed Fight Club off my number one favourite movies spot!
Simply movie history...im amazed i never heard of it before i found it in BlockBusters!

Average customer rating:

Watch it!
Flawed Revenge Movie

Death Sentence [Blu-ray] [2007]
Starring: Kevin Bacon , Garrett Hedlund , Kelly Preston , John Goodman , and Leigh Whannell
Director: James Wan
Manufacturer: Entertainment in Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Blu-ray | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000Y5X60W
Release Date: 2008-01-21

Customer Reviews:

Watch it!.......2008-02-26

I watched this film for the first time and I thought it was really good. The plot was very cool and different from what you get nowadays. The picture and audio quality in blu-ray is impressive aswell. My favourite scene - the parking lot.

Flawed Revenge Movie.......2008-01-27

The overall premise of Death Sentence read initially like an updated Death Wish for the 2000's, but is more concerned with showing the consequences of taking the law into your own hands.

Without going into too much detail, the main character (Hume) decides to go all "Mr. Majestyk" after his son is the victim of a senseless gang killing and the justice system lets him down. Unfortunately, Kevin Bacon is no Charlie Bronson and Hume is no Paul Kersey. Death Wish worked because Paul Kersey was a lone wolf stalker, confident and discreet. After an almost botched killing of his son's murderer, the gang quickly identify Hume as being responsible and launch a counter attack which ultimately targets his other family members before spiralling out of control. The outcome is far from a happy ending...

Some of the plot elements are a bit far fetched...a few examples:-

During the attack on Hume's family at the house, two police officers guarding the house are killed by the gang. One would have thought this would have the whole city police force engaged in a manhunt for the gang - they must have had some intel and surveillance on the individuals and their whereabouts.

Given the situation after this incident, Hume would have been under close police guard at the hospital - either as suspect or protected witness - and not allowed access to an open window. In fact, at no point in the film is Hume really treated or interrogated as a suspect even when there is more than enough evidence to suggest his involvement.

The fight on the car park roof has more in keeping with James Bond than a film which is trying to portray the reality of taking vigilante action (and I think the Health & Safety people would have more than a few things to say about that barrier).

When Hume's family was directly threatened, why did he not move them to a hotel or stay with relatives out of harms way?

There are plenty of other story holes and inconsistencies along the way.

The final act of the film is more akin to Rambo and while Hume does take some hits, it is quite unbelievable that a mild mannered guy who can barely load a gun when he first picks it up and has walked out of hospital with serious injuries is suddenly transformed into a super-soldier.

This is not a movie for the squeamish with graphic knife and OTT gunshot injuries (including limbs and heads being blown off).

The Blu-Ray picture transfer is good as are the sound effects.

Overall moderately entertaining but the attempt to show that vigilante action can have consequences is negated by the cliched approach and the unlikely action scenes.

Average customer rating:

Death Sentence [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Kevin Bacon , Garrett Hedlund , Kelly Preston , Jordan Garrett , and Stuart Lafferty
Director: James Wan
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000Y7U97I
Release Date: 2008-01-08

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