Blu-ray Review: Talented Cast Elevates Leaden Direction of ‘Dead Man Down’

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CHICAGO – “Dead Man Down,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, isn’t the awful movie that you may have heard but it is a misfire from a pretty talented cast and the director of the original “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” The great ensemble and modestly entertaining noir concept are defeated by leaden direction that mistakes tedium for tone. It’s just boring, which is almost difficult to believe given the notable screen charisma of its stars.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

Until recently, Colin Farrell had a pretty stellar track record, choosing interesting projects big (“Fright Night”) and small (“Ondine”). “Total Recall” was the first true disaster in some time and now we have this dud, in which Farrell plays a man who goes deep undercover in a notorious crime lord’s gang of thugs to get his overly complicated revenge. When a gorgeous neighbor (Rapace) spots him committing murder, she gets involved in both the revenge plot and romantically. The cast never hits a false note and some of the scenes, especially early on, between Farrell & Rapace have the energy that is missing from the rest of the film. In particular, the crime narrative is deadly dull.

Dead Man Down was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 9, 2013
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
Victor (Colin Farrell), a professional killer and the right hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City (Terrence Howard), is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Noomi Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution. Their chemistry and intense relationship leads them to execute a violent and cathartic plan for revenge.

Special Features:
o Staging The Action: The Firefights
o Revenge And Redemption: Crafting Dead Man Down
o Revenge Technique: The Cinematography

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com