Review: Law Abiding Citizen

Movie: Law Abiding Citizen
Genre: Thriller
Review Category: Available at Rental Retailers

I was excited at the prospect of this film, I felt the concept of a man seeking revenge and executing his plans while imprisoned could go places. Unfortunately the only place this film went was...nowhere. It started off fast, the initial scene having what eventually becomes the antagonist of the film being tortured and watching his family murdered before him. From there the time frame skips a few years and we return with Butler's character beginning his plot for revenge against "everyone", which is the main focus of the film.
This alone wouldn't make for a completely horrible viewing experience, but somehow the film seemed to miss the mark for me. I've got a couple of gripes beginning with Jamie Foxx's acting. Harold-ed for his performance in Ray, I just didn't see that same focus and emotional power in his role in this film. I never got the sense of regret, fear, or anger that his character was suppose to show given that his life, the life of his family, and the lives of his co-workers and friends are in danger throughout the majority of the film. I really get the sense that Mr. Foxx couldn't care less what film he was acting in as long as the check cleared the bank. His lack of range in this film was a real let down, especially since he's shown that's he's capable of more.
The other thing that really bugged me is how Butler's character is this feared black ops genius but is found out by a lawyer. This mad genius who inspires an ex-colleague to state, "..if he wants you dead, you're dead..." had his plans foiled by a lawyer. They didn't call in the local detectives, they didn't ask for military help, they didn't bother to speak to the FBI or CIA, when dealing with this black ops specialist; no, instead when questions arose they were easily solved by the Assistant DA (Jamie Foxx). I don't know it just takes away from the credibility of the "Evil Genius", to know that the man to whom our covert government agencies turn to in secret to fix issues they themselves can't resolve could be brought down single handily by a guy with a law degree. Not to knock lawyers or anything but they study law, and interpretations of law, which doesn't really correlate to being able to track criminals and their actions. For instance your dentist has a Doctorate, but you wouldn't expect him to moonlight on the weekends performing flawless triple bypass surgeries right? The film would have been more believable if the detectives involved had made more of the main connections in the case.
The bright spot here is Butler's acting, I felt he conveyed the frustration, anger, and sadness of his character well. I believed him as a distraught father and husband who's family was murdered with no justice found. You get the sense in his tone and facial expression that he is a broken man who is driven insane by his loss. Surprisingly Gerard Butler is the only person I could say was truly acting in this film, it just seemed like everyone else was simply reading lines from a page.
So while this film had a decent plot, the ending seemed lackluster and no one save Butler gave any attempt at acting; but for sheer concept I rate this film Rent for a $1 or less.