Blu-ray Review: Dwayne Johnson Shows Range in Nearly Effective ‘Snitch’

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CHICAGO – “Snitch” is so close to being a movie that works. Dwayne Johnson shows more dramatic range than he ever has before, Jon Bernthal proves he can be a strong supporting actor, and the film’s true story sheds interesting light on the stupidity of mandatory drug sentencing. Why then is “Snitch” so flat? It’s a film with good ideas and performances but none of the grit, dread, or danger needed for its crime saga to be effective.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-ray rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

Johnson finds a grounded understatement that other actors would have missed as a man forced into the drug underworld when his son is set-up to take a fall. If Johnson’s heroic pop can bring in a bigger fish, the government, represented by a miscast Susan Sarandon, will let his kid go. A strong supporting cast is filled out by Barry Pepper, Benjamin Bratt, Nadine Velazquez, and Michael K. Williams. “Snitch” has an interesting story but it feels like a surface-level approach to the story that misses the opportunity for true danger to keep a PG-13 rating. The script too often feels like it takes easy routes and cliches and presents them as something more.

The Blu-ray release of “Snitch” is better than average with a solid video and audio transfer accompanied by in-depth special features.

Snitch was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 11, 2013
Snitch was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 11, 2013
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis:
Dwayne Johnson explodes into action as a man determined to bring a Mexican cartel to its knees. Johnson stars as a successful businessman who learns his son faces 10 tough years in a Federal hole for drug possession. Convinced it was a set-up, he volunteers to become an undercover informant and infiltrate a ruthless cartel. Now, with his back against the wall and his life totally on the line, he must expose the true criminals before they discover his identity.

Special Features:
o Privileged Information: The Making Of Snitch
o Audio Commentary With Co-Writer/Director Ric Roman Waugh and Editor Jonathan Chibnall
o Deleted Scenes
o Theatrical Trailer
o Digital Copy Included

“Snitch” stars Dwayne Johnson, Jon Bernthal, Barry Pepper, Benjamin Bratt, Nadine Velazquez, Michael K. Williams, and Susan Sarandon. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 11, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

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

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