Starring Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas and Bill Paxton.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh.
Released 20/1/12 by Paramount
Timing is everything, studios have a release strategy called “counter-programming” it’s where in the case of a big , male driven blockbuster being released; a rival studio will release a something like a girl-centric film like a romantic comedy. In the case of Haywire it’s being released at a time where there’s an awful lot of “Oscar bait” films at the cinema. Is it the perfect tonic to the worthy and earnest releases?
This is your basic “spy on the run from the people who betray them and the quest for revenge” type film. Yet in director Soderbergh’s hands it has a relaxed indie vibe about it. I almost got the impression that he was making this film on his day off and whenever the actors had some time to spare. Basically the kind of movie being shot on weekends and being done fast.
Building a movie around someone who has no acting experience is a brave gamble and for the most part Gina Carano succeeds. Thanks to her MMA background she most certainly looks believable in the action scenes. The fights are hard and brutal but lending my theory to Soderbergh shooting things very quickly; the choreography looks a bit staged, this could also due to Carano being the better at this and the actors not being at the same level.
Unlike last week’s J Edgar where the make-up was pretty poor. Haywire’s was clever and subtle. In the opening scene the director has Carano entering a diner and she looks normal enough. Then as we see her closer, you start to see some cuts and bruise that she’s been hiding behind her hair. In another scene which has her beating the stuffing out of Michael Fassbender’s dashing British spy character. Gina’s strong yet pretty face is battered and showing signs of swelling, this actually helps her avoid the Gardai as they dismiss her as a drug-addict in a hoody. It was in Dublin’s Abbey Street after all. Have to say I really got a kick out of that moment, not like the kick Fassbender got though.
David Holmes adds to the cool with his soundtrack that consists of jazzy dance beats and it works well and keeps the movie going nicely but Soderbergh does rely on it a lot to cover the lack of dialog this film has. There are a few too many action montage moments in the film.
Whereas the movie Abduction highlighted Taylor Lautner’s lack of acting ability and charisma. Gina’s natural presence and rough acting ability doesn’t jar here despite the acting pedigree on display. Bill Paxton as her dad has a good time of it and Ewan McGregor’s slimey boss is a pathetic snake. Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas are both memorable in their brief time onscreen. Oh and Channing Tatum’s in it too.
Haywire is a fun distraction and a much needed and timely one in the middle of awards season. I’m all for serious thought provoking movies but sometimes I just want to have some fun.
7/10
