Homefront (2013)
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Critics Consensus: While it boasts a capable cast, the disappointingly dull Homefront hearkens back to classic action thrillers without adding anything to the genre.
Critics Consensus: While it boasts a capable cast, the disappointingly dull Homefront hearkens back to classic action thrillers without adding anything to the genre.
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Movie Info
HOMEFRONT is an action movie about a widowed ex-DEA agent who retires to a small town for the sake of his 10-year-old daughter. The only problem is he picked the wrong town. (c) Open Road- Rating:
- R (for strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief sexuality)
- Genre:
- Drama , Action & Adventure , Mystery & Suspense
- Directed By:
- Gary Fleder
- In Theaters:
- Nov 27, 2013 Wide
- On DVD:
- Mar 11, 2014
- US Box Office:
- $20.1M
Cast
-
Jason Statham
as Phil Broker -
James Franco
as Gator -
Izabela Vidovic
as Maddy Broker -
Kate Bosworth
as Cassie Bodine Klum -
Marcus Hester
as Jimmy Klum -
Clancy Brown
as Sheriff Keith Rodrig...
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Critic Reviews for Homefront
All Critics (105) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (61) | DVD (1)
I can barely remember who lives or dies. I barely cared.
The screenplay for this violent retro schlock was written by Sylvester Stallone, and the movie feels like something out of the early eighties.
'Homefront' just isn't the Southern-fried smackdown it should have been
The deeper we go into this story, the more ridiculous the coincidences and plot twists.
Everyone cast against type. Everyone breathtakingly bad, reciting dialogue by Sylvester Stallone that begs for a "mute" button.
By making Statham a regretful lawman, it neutralizes his main talent, effectively neutering him. It also telegraphs the kind of mostly watered-down movie we're about to see.
Statham is not the English Clint Eastwood yet, but if someone fancied calling him Dirty Jason... who knows?
Homefront is as gleefully dumb and thoroughly entertaining.
Oh, and did I mention that Sylvester Stallone adapted the screenplay for this from a novel? Because that.
When Jason Statham stops to pat a kitten after MacGyvering up the bad guy's meth-lab to explode when the lights are switched on, you will either groan or giggle... if you are inclined towards the latter you may find quite a bit of enjoyment in Homefront.
The climax is a muddle and borderline preachy
[Blu-ray Review] Dynamically directed, legitimately suspenseful as the climax plays out, and consistently captivating for all 102 minutes.
Predictable but well enough made to hold something for fans of The Stath.
Director Gary Fleder gets into the rubbishy mood with ease, and there's an appealing if undisciplined generosity about the inclusion of supporting players
There's something to be said for one of those entertainers that goes about its by-the-numbers business with craft and style.
Half-satisfying little piece of gristle.
This unlikely teaming of Jason Statham and James Franco proves to be a clever blend of action and acting.
Just what you expect in a Jason Statham movie - and that is action from beginning to end.
It's a derivative and incoherent exercise that provides another opportunity for Jason Statham to play the same type of vigilante character that he's essentially kept repeating for more than a decade.
Homefront is a film that understands its audience with a precise, non-condescending clarity.
The plot is too foreordained in every detail to be genuinely gripping, and the action far too shoddy in both conception and execution, which is even worse.
Credit must go to Fleder and Stallone for refusing to settle for a simple, binary, good against evil actioner; investing the material with something resembling human interest.
A Definite Miss
Jason Statham is at it again. He is proving to be this decades ultimate action star.
Skull-cracking and stylistic, it's a ferocious, profanity-filled revenge flick that should have gone direct-to-video.
Audience Reviews for Homefront
Super Reviewer
This is a terrific and powerful movie. A hard-edged and explosive action-packed thriller. A total knockout of an action film. One of the years best action movies hands down. A strong and tough film that when is not shooting or blowing things up it packs a hard-hitting amount of riveting drama that feels very real and effective. Director, Gary Fleder gives a great energy to the material, crafting a fine heart-pounding film. Writer/Producer, Sylvester Stallone writes a deep, down and thrilling story that balances drama and action well. Stallone wrote the role specifically for Statham, giving him new reach and depth that he knew the action star could accomplish. Jason Statham is at his absolute best, he gives a powerful and surprisingly compassionate performance. Statham proves to be getting better as an actor, just improving with every performance. James Franco is excellent, finally dropping from his recent line of comedies and back to more serious territory and proving to be more than an exceptional match for Statham. I loved this movie, it is truly awesome and delivers big time. It's utterly thrilling, heart-pounding and sometimes deeply moving.
MoreSuper Reviewer
Homefront is mostly just your typical Jason Statham action film, but it is livened up a bit by a scenery chewing performance from James Franco a story with enough intrigue to keep you invested until the end. The action is fairly standard for the genre at this point, but still well done. Sylvester Stallone did the screenplay, which is contrived and ridiculous in spots and could have been improved. He wrote it specifically with Statham in mind though, and it shows. It caters to his good qualities enough to make this an enjoyable B movie experience, even if it isn't exactly high quality cinema. Definitely worthwhile for action buffs or Statham fans, but little appeal beyond that really.
MoreSuper Reviewer
Jason Statham, fighting, guns, errr...more fighting, yet not so much profanity. Predictable action packed romp you say? oh no don't be silly you silly filmgoer you, oh wait.
So Statham is the new guy in a small redneck town who is just trying to live a quiet life after his rambunctious time as a DEA undercover agent. After his little girl beats up some fat kid Statham finds himself in trouble with the fat kids hick parents, doesn't help that he floors the kids dad. So the fat kids trailer trash mum goes to see her brother who just happens to be the local drug dealer bad guy which as you can guess equals action time for Statham and his big hairy muscles. Believe it or not this is actually based on a novel amazingly.
Yep this is most definitely your bog standard action thriller that could of easily starred anyone of the classic big name action heroes. Same could be said for the bad guy role, anyone could of played it, it makes no difference. The story plods along at the usual cliched rate with the usual things you know are bound to happen. Lots of face to face confrontations where Statham shows the locals who's boss, sneaky breaking and entering from the bad guys, intimidation and dirty low down tricks to unnerve our hero and eventually a big shoot out and kidnapping of Statham's little girl.
Despite the outrageously corny plot and corny hard man act by Statham I must admit to enjoying the film and its vicious fights. When Jay is approached by these big lunkheads you know the outcome from the start, but you gotta admire the choreography involved bringing these rucks to life. The sound effects are blisteringly realistic as Statham chins these guys whilst smashing them against hard objects. I gotta say I liked it and found myself inadvertently cheering Jay on.
The bad guys are weak though, the bikers are pretty gritty and the local hick muscle is nicely intimidating but Franco as the main bad guy is weak. He doesn't actually do anything for the entire film accept scowl and look unwashed. He never fights Statham! all he does is pinch the little girls kitten (yet doesn't harm it) and then pinch the little girl (yet doesn't harm her). He mainly watches from the sidelines keeping out of the way, which is odd, he's not even remotely intimidating. The other weird thing is he actually shows signs of concern for what he's doing, as if he doesn't really wanna go down this route but is forced too. Its like he's not really that bad a guy, he just wants to deal his drugs in peace.
So despite being a total JCVD-type vehicle I found this film entertaining in a typically ruthless tooth loosening kinda way. We've seen it all before of course, Statham isn't really the perfect likeable hero lets be honest, he growls too much and isn't pretty. Franco is rather limp here and Ryder's character seems pointless but the violence is top notch and the film has a good steamy atmosphere. What I still find amusing is everything that happens in this film is all because of the little girl slapping that fat kid in the face at school. That's some chain of events right there!.
Super Reviewer
Homefront Quotes
- Phil Broker:
- You see the house? That's my fuckin' house, anyone who comes around it again will find me standin' in it.
- Phil Broker:
- Whatever you're thinkin'...rethink it.
- Phil Broker:
- You see the house? That's my fuckin house, anyone who comes around it again will find me standing in it.'
- Phil Broker:
- Whatever you're thinking...rethink it.
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