What I didn't like about the movie.
Granted, the movie wasn't terrible, I've seen worse. It could have been better and there were many areas it could improve upon, most notably casting and acting.
However, here are the things that killed it for me:
1. College teacher is smarter then the police?
Not just any police either, but I got the impression from the film that the lead cop was someone high up on the food chain.
2. Brennan plans very carefully, but neglects to notice that the birthday party will be at the zoo? Dude, read the freaking invitation.
3. Brennan wields a gun with some skill, and gathers enough gumption to do a one man raid on a meth lab. Really? That's a little far out there.
4. Said meth lab is only protected by a wily dog, some big guy, and a dude who stupidly promises to kill Brennan. Here's a hint, when a guy is really desperate and has a gun in your face, don't promise to hunt him down and kill him. If that were me I just might shoot you in the face and save myself from the sequel.
5. After going through all that, his wife wants to throw herself out of the car?
That was absolutely terrible writing.
6. Then, finally, we are treated to an epilogue where the detective, who obviously couldn't care enough in the beginning of the movie, decides to look for the button, and doesn't even find it even though we get to see it. I mean, what was the point of that scene? Was it to prove to us that she didn't do it? After everything Brennan went through, I honestly don't care if she did it or not. the scene only serves to give us some satisfaction that - hey - she was a good guy all along and deserved to be free.
Is that suppose to make me feel better? Brennan still had to kill someone (even if he deserved it) so that makes only one murderer on the loose.
Now, if the detective had found the button then it would have served as some Gift of the Magi type of irony. That she might have been set free after all so all of his efforts were in vein, yet none of which would not have come to pass if he had not set those events in motion in the first place.
Although, I don't see how a single button would have exonerated her, regardless of who it fell off of.
Now that I'm on a rant...
7. What's with that girl asking if that is what the detective calls coffee? Is that the same girl from the beginning of the movie at the restaurant? If so, who gives a crap. Its a pointless scene. That should have been on the cutting room floor.
8. Speaking of pointless, the other mother - Karen's mom what was her name... Nicole? Whatever, too much camera time for an unimportant character.
9. She? Yes, that is what Brennan's wife said when he came back to the car and reported that "she" had taken their son to the zoo. The tone in which implies jealousy. Really? The man just popped a meth producer, dumped a dead meth dealer, robbed a meth lab, doctored records, B&E, struck in officer, BROKE YOU OUT OF CUSTODY, and then dragged your whiny useless ass through the streets to save you and your family and you want to inquire about a supposed relationship with a woman you don't know.
And then throw yourself out of a car?
Poor acting.
Poor casting.
Poor writing.
Poor directing.
There is no flavor text!