The Samaritan (2012)

Very Cool!!!

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It is another action / noir - or whatever you wanna name it - film. Things are explained in half a second and the action, drama and love scenes take long minutes. A typical "you don't nedd to understand it, simply enjoy the action" thing. But you know what? That's what entertainment seems to be. Not that I like it, but it is what it is. And the film brings Samuel L. Jackson, one of everybody's favourite actors, so it is worthy trying "The Samaritan". The twists in the plot , mainly in the last minutes, play a good role and make the 90 min projection a good time.Try it, but don't expect a lot.

Films like this don't seen to rate very highly on IMDb although they will find their adherents. I thought it was a pretty good caper film with more than it's share of twists and turns. Sometimes these movies try to be so clever that they implode on themselves, but this one caught itself up once we come to know the relationship between ex-con Foley (Samuel L. Jackson) and the young hooker Iris (Ruth Negga). Thereafter it becomes the grift that Foley didn't want to get tangled up in, in the first place. A couple of things that didn't ring true for me was how quickly and easily Xavier (Tom Wilkinson) decided that Foley should launder his eight million dollars for him. Just like that - what?!?! Even crazier was the idea that Xavier actually had the eight million in a suitcase with him when all the players came together. Personally, I thought Helena (Deborah Kara Unger) hanging herself was going to turn out to be an element of the grift, but referring back to my earlier warning, things didn't go in that direction.Anyway, I'm satisfied that Ethan (Luke Kirby) got what was coming to him. I thought he was a punk and in way over his head to attempt a con job like this one. Too bad about Foley but that's the way the bullets fly. One thing I'd like to know, is how much Miro (A.A. Peterson) kept for his trouble stitching up Iris. Hopefully enough to retire himself.

This movie tries to remake the movie that serves you one of the all time greatest and most shocking plot twists ever, Oldboy (2003), although I personally like the 2013 US remake as the better version of it. Yet it went way than a bit too far. The movie has so many characters, leaving most of them severely under developed. Seeing how the title sounded, I was surprised how the main twist, presented quite prematurely, was then developed into a literally turn down of a climactic ending. This movie tries to show you some kind of alternate ending to the original movie, yet it fails, and quite miserably I'd say. Having Samuel L. Jackson is a great job as his acting kept the vibe of the movie enduring throughout the entire movie. Luke Kirby lacks so much in portraying the sleazy antagonist.

Why You Might Like It: One of the few things that this film has going for it is Samuel Jackson, who does a nice job in the lead role. If you like movies with twists and turns, then you might also enjoy it. In my opinion, the twists and turns aren't that great and don't make this movie a must-see.Why You Might Not Like It: My biggest complaints are the fact that the film is very sluggish and slow and has a very weak story. If you are looking for action, then find something else to watch because this movie moves quite slow. I found little entertainment value and found it to only be marginally entertaining.Acting/Casting: 6* - Again, Samuel Jackson is very good, but the remainder of the cast is only sufficient. In my opinion, Luke Kirby and Ruth Negga are B-movie cast members and their acting is second rate. To be honest, without Jackson as the headliner this movie would likely be scored much lower.Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 5* - Much like some of the cast, David Weaver is also a second rate director. I believe many viewers are lost and confused at some point while watching this movie. Not to mention, the pace is sluggish without merit.Plot/Characters: 4.5* - The plot really is average to begin with, but as it plays out it turns out to be sub-par. It is choppy and the twists and turns are difficult to follow, which makes for a below average product. If you look at the body of work of the writers, you can understand why this is no different than their previous films.Entertainment Value: 5* - The movie is average from an entertainment standpoint, but it isn't a movie I would recommend or tell someone to go out of their way to see.My Score: 6+5+4.5+5 = 20.5/4 = 5.125 Email your thoughts to [email protected]