MovieChat Forums > Death Wish (2018) Discussion > A big letdown...

A big letdown...

posted 6 years ago by CinemaDemon989 (1286)
10 replies | jump to latest

Seeing that I'm a fan of director Eli Roth, I was really looking forward to watching this movie. The trailer certainly looked awesome. But I must say, I was letdown. And I hate to write a bad review, but seriously, I think this film was a huge missed opportunity. It had the potential to be a great film. I thought the story was pretty weak, and lacked depth. Initially, I liked the fact that Bruce Willis was starring in the film. But honestly, there were some scenes where even his acting performance was lacking. For example, the scene in the hospital when he found out that his wife was dead. I just didn't find his reaction very convincing. So really, the overall acting is what bothered me about this film. And as in for the action, it all felt so rushed and predictable. The only scene I was impressed with, is when Bruce Willis was like "I'm your last customer" - Bang, bang! I give that one small scene some credit. But other than that, the rest of the film was really dull. This film just didn't do a whole lot for me. Such a shame.

Sorry Eli Roth...

[–] horrorfan000 (2308) 6 years ago

I felt the same way.Big fan of Willis but there were just parts of the movie where it felt like he was just phoning it in.

[–] Bowilly (171) 6 years ago

So little emotion throughout the film, very disappointing indeed.

[–] andersb36022 (90) 6 years ago

It was too predictable to the point of cliche' and D'Onofrio's Frank Kersey character was annoying throughout the entire movie. He's a bad actor imho. Bruce seemed too subdued to be a convincing vigilante killer and the two cops were somewhat blase. Bronson/Gardenia were more convincing in the original movie.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

Agreed. Though, I don't think D'Onofrio (if that's how you spell it) is a terrible actor. I definitely think he did a great job in Full Metal Jacket. But in this film, I could agree that his acting performance was seriously lacking, along with Bruce Willis. This movie just didn't work. It had way too many flaws and cliches.

[–] Boricanator (1440) 6 years ago

If you like him, watch Daredevil the Netflix. T.V. Series. It’s probably his best performance.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77384) 6 years ago

D'Onofrio is amazing in Daredevil
I thought it was a bad casting choice but boy was I wrong

[–] earl237 (1106) 6 years ago

Bruce Willis is no Charles Bronson, this remake sucked.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 6 years ago

I was actually looking forward to Bruce Willis portraying this role. But his acting abilities went straight out the window in this film.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Not surprised, he's been phoning it in for years. He probably treated this like one of his straight-to-DVD projects.

[–] CheekyMonkey (584) 4 years ago

I thought it was delightful... a treat and a thrill to watch Willis turn into a vigilante and then an avenger...

People celebrate revenge porn movies like Django and Inglorious Basterds that subvert actual history... and the Hateful Eight as revenge movie, but they seem to have trouble with a new Death Wish movies because they were pre-triggered to think that it would be an SJW remake or that it would sully the original that already had half a dozen sequels... But Eli Roth did the right thing... Stayed true to the spirit of the original, but adapted it to the current culture... The controversy is still there, the movie is realistic in the sense that both perspectives on guns is present, i.e. it's not a revenge in a fantasy world, rather a revenge fantasy set in the real world...

Compelling and highly entertaining... I thought Willis was good in this. Nothing special, but did manage to combine the right mix of stoicism and the everyman relatability that the role requires...