J Marshall Fox

4.7/5 An excellent movie to ponder morality, justice, and human nature. I believe many critics missed the over-arching messages of the film. Sure, it incorporates done-before-plots as Clyde (anti-hero) has Hannibal Lecter influence, the inconceivably brilliant tactics of the mastermind, and "the system is corrupt" but it makes you think. You feel deeply for his loss and have to wrestle with your own perceptions. I'll explain: This movie sets out to show the corruption of mankind in various ways: an understandably angry husband and father (main character) is righteous in his believe the judicial system is broken when his family is raped and killed by an assailant and accomplice, yet his anger turns to wrath, hatred, and brutal violence; he lost the higher ground in the end. The skilled lawyer (Foxx) is callous toward true justice and seeks his ego rather than what's morally right because "the law doesn't work that way." 1 of the 2 attackers blames it all on the other who neither raped nor killed. Due to this the true deplorable serves only 5-10 years. The result? Total annihilation. Side note: despite the notion, our villain is *not* a serial killer. He goes on a killing spree that was planned for 10 years. His targets are all those who wronged him. No one is safe. Everyone has their blame to share as no one is truly innocent. This movie is filled with existissentialism. A few more themes not to miss! Intention vs. Methodology, Societal vs. Individual justice, and Subjective vs. Absolute morality. Whose side is the audience is supposed to be on? At what point do we stop cheering, or who do we cheer for now? It made me question my own morality. I found myself disappointed for being so mesmerized by the man who's trying to tear the law down by obliterating those responsible to prove his point: and that's the thing--he makes it. You're left to wonder, "Is the writer supporting what the madman did? It worked in a way, didn't it? But to what extent?" And that's why the movie deserves far more praise. Kurt Wimmer, the writer, has also made another great film about human nature called Equilibrium starring Christian Bale. Go watch it! I'll leave with these questions of morality: should evil deeds be done so that good change can come of it? If good things come from horrendous actions, are we free to do as we please?