Blu-ray Review: Steven Soderbergh’s Fun, Energetic ‘Haywire’ Gets Average Release

Submitted by BrianTT on May 2, 2012 - 11:37am

CHICAGO – Audiences really didn’t take to “Haywire” like critics as the film bombed at the box office, grossing only $19 million domestically and just over $30 million worldwide. It’s the kind of flick that I think polarized its two potential audiences. Action movie fans didn’t think it had enough action. Steven Soderbergh fans thought it had too much. Personally, I think everything Soderbergh does is interesting and this is no exception. Which makes the lackluster HD release disappointing.

Blu-ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

But I get it. Small movie, small box office, small studio — I wasn’t expecting a Criterion release. However, the two minor featurettes for a film from a major director leave me frustrated. I would love to hear Soderbergh or even star Gina Carano or writer Lem Dobbs comment on the film. “Haywire” is the kind of action flick that will pick up an audience at home — it’s always been the most popular genre on DVD and Blu-ray — and while it will continue to polarize, its fan base will also grow. Maybe they can get it a special edition someday.

Haywire was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis:
From Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh (Contagion), this dynamic action-thriller introduces mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, a black-ops agent for a government security contractor. After freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, Mallory is double-crossed and left for dead - by someone in her own agency. Suddenly the target of assassins who know her every move, Mallory unleashes the fury of her fighting skills to uncover the truth and turn the tables on her ruthless adversary. Featuring Carano performing her own high-adrenaline stunts and an all-star cast including Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas and Michael Douglas, Haywire is explosive movie entertainment.

Special Features:
o Gina Carano in Training
o The Men of Haywire

“Haywire” stars Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Angarano, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Michael Fassbender, and Antonio Banderas. It was written by Lem Dobbs and directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 1, 2012.