KMC Campbell

Those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it. This is a very timely and prescient film with a phenomenally talented cast. In 1968 Americans were fighting in the streets - because many were against the Vietnam war. Violence, social unrest and civil rights, exacerbated by a paranoid president Nixon, and his law & order AG, J Edgar Hoover. When Nixon’s government came into power in 1969 he began searching for obscure federal laws as an excuse to lock up protesters — including America’s best-known radicals Bobby Seale, Abbie Hoffman & Tom Hayden of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and others. Nixon didn’t like their politics so they were accused of inciting riots during the Chicago Democratic convention. The riots they were accused of inciting were later found to be started by club-swinging Chicago PD.

This movie is a great ride. There's action, star power and terrific ensemble acting led by Charlize Theron, who plays a total badass with authenticity. The international cast has a solid group dynamic, in that you really do believe that these characters have shared many adventures together throughout millennia. Even though this is an action film, it is also character driven and it is the quieter moments that really stand out. The look and feel of the film is top notch and the fight scenes are choreographed and shot beautifully. If I had a criticism, it is that the villain is one dimensional. He is a big Pharma punk who is a cross between Dr. Evil and Mark Zuckerberg. Maybe it is because the actor who plays him chews the scenery.

Well written, great acting and good production values

This is a Hot Mess desperately trying to pass for drama and social commentary. The plot is slower than a line at the DMV and filled with cliches and stereotypes. The women are hapless victims, lairs, and schemers who are bought, sold, physically and sexually abused and come back for more. The men are always on the verge of beating someone, anyone, be it a woman, their father, a mentally disabled older man or each other. All the greedy, abusive and psychotic characters are Greeks (Turkish propaganda, anyone?). The actors when they're not yelling and mugging into the camera, to telegraph their method acting skills, are spouting cheesy dialogue and drinking out of straight from the bottle to telegraph their anguish. Do yourself a favor - Skip it.