Movie Review: 'Haywire'

Haywire Starring Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas Directed by Steven Soderbergh Rated R

Steven Soderbergh’s films usually have that distinctive feel to them much like Alfred Hitchcock’s style was so prevalent in his films.  The frame sequencing and musical score seemed eerily reminiscent to his "Ocean's" franchise and while the action-packed Haywire is far removed from his usual fare, it clearly has all the markings of a classic Soderbergh film.  What it doesn’t have though, is Soderbergh’s usual knack for delivering a watertight storyline.  He should have paid closer attention to the various plot holes in Lem Dobbs’ screenplay.

Add to that some spotty acting and a few curious casting choices that when combined had a drag down effect on the final product to leave us with a feeling that the glass was half-empty sans half-full. 

Soderbergh was determined to create an action film that revolved around mixed-martial arts champion Gina Carano.  To say he succeeded might be an understatement as he introduces us to the next big action star.

Carano portrays the fearless Mallory Kane, a no-nonsense contract operative who is the best-of-the-best and cannot be subdued or taken down by any of her former peers no matter how hard they try.   Ewan McGregor plays Kenneth, a former flame and current employer who inexplicably sets her up before apparently putting a kill order out on her.  (The reason why as explained is dubious at best)  Assisting in the set-up is a who’s who of Hollywood leading men: Antonio Banderas, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas and Michael Fassbender.    

Even though Carano’s Mallory exudes a fierce toughness, this raven-haired beauty would look amazing wearing nothing more than a burlap bag and while we get the sense that she feels more comfortable in classic street thug attire - we are firmly transfixed when she appears in a sparkling evening dress.  Paul (Fassbender) obviously thought she was vulnerable while playing dress-up, but he was wrong and paid dearly for his miscalculation.

Haywire begins with a quiet rendezvous involving Mallory and Aaron (Tatum).  That lasts all of five minutes until Aaron unrepentantly begins a beat down on the unsuspecting Mallory until her instincts kick in and the two of them engage in a classic old school knockdown drag out fight that leaves him unconscious.  She manages to escape by kidnapping/carjacking hapless diner patron, Scott (Michael Angarano), who is then subjected to her recent life story.  Mallory spills her guts and through flashback mode we learn the true sense of her character and how her current career choice may not end in a happy retirement.  Any person with knowledge of how that world rotates would question why a highly trained operative would be so casual in offering up such details involving international espionage and contract killings  

After an encounter with a few New York state troopers, an ambush and a very unfortunate deer, Mallory’s father (a miscast Bill Paxton) offers her safe haven at his house in New Mexico.  Once there, Mallory seemingly only has enough time to don camouflage and tribal make-up before Kenneth shows up with a handful of baddies, including a partially recovered Aaron.  All hell breaks loose as Kenneth's tempest creation takes down his toughest tough-guys thereby forcing Kenneth to flee in desperation.  When Mallory makes a pact with the shady Coblenz (Douglas) it all but guarantees that there is nowhere any of the double-crossers can safely hide. 

Prior to the making of Salt, Hollywood was desperately searching for a female version of Tom Cruise.  They settled on the waifish Angelina Jolie who was never believable while somehow beating the snot out of her much bigger male co-stars.  Not only would have Carano pulled that off with ease, but there would have been a real sense of fear from the objects of her dissatisfaction.  But, alas, I digress.    

I may have been too harsh in my rating and probably could have bumped it up a notch solely on the strength of the superbly choreographed fight sequences, but it would not change what this movie really is – a one dimensional nugget for action junkies desperate for a bonafide female action star.  Ms. Carano, I hope we’ll see more of you in the near future. 

Comments

[Get The Big Picture]

I just saw this movie and thought the fighting sequences were great. Unfortunately, the rest of it was unspeakably bad.