Cindy Prascik's Review of Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire

My dear reader(s): Over the Christmas break, my plan was to catch up with some movies.

First on my holiday docket: Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers, except the exact second when Charlie Hunnam turns up.

Rebels rise up against an evil space empire. (No, not *those* rebels or *that* space empire.)

Out of the gate, I want to offer a couple disclaimers: First, though I've kicked science fiction fantasy to the curb almost entirely, I like Zack Snyder and I hoped/expected to like this. Secondly, Netflix has some super algorithms, because the Rebel Moon picture on my home page is all Charlie Hunnam, though he doesn't appear until 51:05 and enjoys only sporadic screen time after. Well played, Netflix. Well played.

While almost any story bears traces of tales that came before it, Rebel Moon is nothing but derivative, Star Wars with a Mad-Maxey vibe...if Star Wars and Mad Max somehow managed to become the most boring movies ever made. I fell asleep three times in the first hour and had to keep rolling it back so I didn't "miss" anything.

The acting seems almost universally awful, but the dialogue is so badly written it's difficult to pin blame. The cast is full of well-known faces, most of whom are generally at least decent, so it's possible Meryl Streep couldn't have done anything with this material. Charlie's is a cheeky role that's particularly well suited to him, so he fares better than most. Nice visuals are marred by the odd bad green screen moment. Fight sequences are dull, awkward, and painfully fake-looking. The story, so often (better) told before, doesn't begin to earn its two-hours-plus runtime. A disappointment all 'round.

Rebel Moon clocks in at 133 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of strong violence, sexual assault, bloody images, language, sexual material, and partial nudity."

The fact that Rebel Moon, part two, is coming next year feels more like a threat than a promise. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Rebel Moon gets three.

Rebel Moon is now streaming on Netflix.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: FERRARI

 

During the summer of 1957, bankruptcy looms over the company that Enzo Ferrari and his wife built 10 years earlier. He decides to roll the dice and wager it all on the iconic Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy.

Director: Michael Mann

Cast: Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O'Connell, Patrick Dempsey

Release Date: December 25, 2023

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Rated R for some violent content/graphic images, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 2h 11m

Michael Mann's Ferrari is a slick, easily digestible bio pic led by strong central performances from Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz with the latter nearly stealing the show.  Mann gives the film the kind of polish that you'd expect from any of his films with the racing sequences pulsing off the screen.  The quieter moments he leaves to his stellar cast lead by Adam Driver.  Driver's quiet intensity and determination shines through even though he's a tad too young for the roles even as he sports a fully silver head of hair for the majority of the film.  He manages to give the character plenty of depth with his nuanced performance.  The film really sizzles when Penélope Cruz joins him onscreen as she delivers an excellent turn as Ferrari's emotionally broken wife.  Cruz's brings an acidic passion and anger to the screen with incredible ease which speaks to her immense talent.  While the story is engaging enough it never quite finds the same sort of energy when Cruz is off screen leaving Shailene Woodley's character feel rather bland and uninteresting in comparison.  This leaves those moments a more ponderous which kills the film's energy and overall pacing which makes the film far more choppy than it should be.  The film does recover in its final act with a pulse pounding and ultimately tragic race that's initially thrilling before delivering a brutal gut punch.  Those closing moments do give the story a more grounded and somber feel to the story of Ferrari and his life's passion.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE COLOR PURPLE

Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

Director: Blitz Bazawule

Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, Jon Batiste, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Release Date: December 25, 2023

Genre: Drama, Musical

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, violence and language.

Runtime: 2h 21m

The Color Purple is a lavishly constructed, vibrant musical which does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the original film for a new audience.  Blitz Bazawule confidentially directs the film with a decisive hand, staging a series of wonderfully choreographed musical numbers that each bring a distinctive kind of energy.  These sequences serve as the film's beating heart and in those moments the energy pops off the screen with impressive verve.  There are moments that echo other film musicals like Chicago or more fanciful moments similar to Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.  It’s a fascinating blend of styles and approaches that works in the film's favor for the most part even though some of dramatic weight of the story gets lost in spots.  There's a lighter tone throughout even as Celie experiences some of the uglier bits of abuse from Mister which makes for an abrupt turn after lively musical moments.  The ensemble cast manages to balance those moments thanks to strong performances across the board.  Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey leave a lasting impression in their limited screen time during the film's open act before Fantasia Barrino takes center stage.  Barrino's turn is understated, meek, earnest and ultimately hopeful.  Her performance isn't as big as other more outsized characters, but she manages to be the backbone of the film before being allowed to display her immense vocal talent in a series of revelatory songs.  Barrino share excellent onscreen chemistry with the cast with it really shining through when paired with Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks.  Henson and Brooks are perfectly suited to play their outsized and more garish characters with the latter stealing nearly every scene she's in.  Colman Domingo's baritone voice is perfectly suited for his turn as Mister, even though he's never quite as menacing as Danny Glover in the original film, mainly due to an inherent kindness that comes through all his performances in general.  Corey Hawkins possesses a similar energy which is much better suited for his character, Harpo, more so than Domingo's Mister.  It makes some slightly strange dynamics which the film can't quite balance perfectly in the non musical moments.  Minor issues like that can be forgiven thanks to the quality of the performances and direction which is sure to leave an impression regardless if people are experiencing the story for the first time or are already familiar with it.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE IRON CLAW

 

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who make history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.

Director: Sean Durkin

Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Lily James

Release Date: December 22, 2023

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport

Rated R for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 12m

The Iron Claw, the tragic true-life tale of the Von Erich family, is the kind of sports movie that doesn't require you to be a fan of the sport to be moved and affected by its painful story.  Sean Durkin directs the film with a nuanced hand giving it a sweaty, gritty feel which gives the story an air of authenticity.  He makes you feel every bit of flesh hitting the mat during the wrestling sequences but adds an overreach sense of dread and sadness throughout the entire film.  Thematically, it covers well worn concepts about masculinity and overbearing fathers trying to live vicariously through their sons but does so with a surprisingly level of effectiveness thanks to its cast.  Holt McCallany is the kind of actor that can bring a certain level of intimidation, intensity without overt physicality which works incredibly well here as the family patriarch.  There's an emotional frigidity to his character that's reflected in his treatment of his sons as mere vessels to correct his list of grievances and shortcomings.  The character is cold, emotionally distant, and aloof even as tragedy continues to befall his children due in large part to his constant pushing and playing them against each other.  Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons all deliver authentic, engaging performances, each reflecting the sons burning desire to please their father at any cost.  Efron though carries the emotional weight of the film as he makes you feel the pain of his perceived failures and shortcomings early on in the story before he’s burdened by loss of his siblings along with the realization of the root cause.  It’s an excellent showcase for Efron as he emotes all the internalized pain and trauma with a level of nuance and depth that I honestly didn't think he was capable of.  His psychical transformation almost becomes an afterthought due to his committed performance which elevates the entire film and makes it easier to overlook a few pacing issues and underwritten female characters.

 

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: REBEL MOON PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE

 

When a colony on the edge of the galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, they dispatch a young woman with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighbouring planets to help them take a stand.

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Charlie Hunnam, Anthony Hopkins

Release Date: December 15, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, sexual assault, bloody images, language, sexual material and partial nudity.

Runtime: 2h 13m

Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire is a lifeless space epic that never truly finds its footing as it mines bits and pieces of Star Wars by way of Seven Samurai while bringing nothing new to the table.  All of Snyder's visual bravado and his unrelenting love of slow motion is still here but it all feels perfunctory and overdone paired with a rather listless, all too familiar story.  Characterization is at minimal as the story journey's to collection a ragtag crew of rebels whom we have little to no emotional connection to as we move from introductory set piece to another.  It would be easier to ignore some of these story issues if the action was fun or interesting.  There's a surprisingly blandness to the action which is something you wouldn't expect from Snyder with Bae Doona's Nemesis battle with a spider woman being the only one that registers as any sort of tangible fun.  Likewise the performances are all rather lifeless with Sofia Boutella's lead character barely registering as determined and driven much less inspiring.  Anthony Hopkins voicework for the robot introduced in the first act and offers a small tinge of life but he quickly disappears from the story only to reappear at the very without another line of dialogue.   It doesn't help matters that the entire film serves as nothing more than set up for the second part which would be fine if there were some time invested in character development and world building.  Sadly, this first entry feels more like a Sucker Punch level misfire from Snyder which feels like a major step back for him as a storyteller.  
 

D

MOVIE REVIEW: MAESTRO

 

On the verge of securing a golden opportunity, American conductor Leonard Bernstein begins a tumultuous relationship with actress Felicia Montealegre, upturning their lives.

Director: Bradley Cooper

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman

Release Date: December 8, 2023 

Genre: Drama, Music, Romance

Rated R for some language and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 9m

Bradley Cooper's Maestro contains all the trappings of an awards contender but some strangle choices in this biopic leave you feeling disconnected from the story's central character.  Cooper stars and directs the film with a tangible sense of energy on both sides of the camera.  His direction is steady and confident particularly in the open half which he shoots in black and white while having characters exchange dialogue in quick fire succession.  It gives the film a fun, old school look and feel as we are introduced to Bernstein after his debut.  Cooper clearly studied his subject to great extents to deliver a level of mimicry in an attempt to capture Bernstein's speech patterns and mannerism with its effectiveness varying from scene to scene.  Capturing such a large persona is a huge undertaking and Cooper can't quite find the right mix resulting in a uneven performance which never finds the emotional center of the character.  Carey Mulligan fares far better and practically steals the show as Felicia Montealegre with a more nuanced and subtle performance.  As a result we get far more insight into Mulligan's character than we ever do with Cooper's Bernstein.  A handful of sizzling sequences between the two prove to be the high points during the film runtime which feels rushed as it spends very little time on Bernstein's work or his impact.  Its a strange choice which leaves the central character feel more like a supporting player in his own story with Mulligan serving as the film's beating heart.  Cooper does deliver a rather impressive performance of Bernstein conducting in a sweaty but passionate sequences which gives us more insight into his love of music than any other portions of the film.  The energy and passion seeping through that sequence leaves you wondering why the film doesn't bother to explore it in great detail which ultimately leaves Maestro a well intentioned but misguided biopic.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: POOR THINGS

 

Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael

Release Date: December 8, 2023 

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

Rated R for strong and pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore, and language

Runtime: 2h 21m

Yorgos Lanthimos' Frankenstein-like fable, Poor Things, is a darkly comedic and bold exploration of self-discovery of oneself.  Its a fascinating journey with a distinctive style and feel that permeates the film from its opening act, shot in black and white, before the world and color palate of the film opens up with great effect.  Lanthimos' approach is aggressive but self assured as a bevy of themes and concepts that range from the grotesque, to the perverse and philosophical are thrown at the screen in steady succession.  Its a fearless approach that unafraid of losing portions of the audience along the way.  The film and story is held together and propelled by Emma Stone's central turn as Bella Baxter.  Stone's performance carries the film as she makes her character's journey believable and organic with an effortless ease as we see the character move from innate, instinctive, impulses into a fully defined persona. She has an impressive ability to make every step of journey feel authentic all the while never losing her comedic timing during some of the film's more insane and absurd moments.  If not for Stone's fearless turn, Mark Ruffalo could have easily stolen the entire film from a lesser actress.  Ruffalo's turn as the swarmy and nefarious lawyer is a true testament to his talent as actor.  Ruffalo works against his nice guy type to deliver an overconfident lothario who quickly loses control of Baxter before being ultimately ruined financially and emotionally by her.  Ruffalo and Stone work off each incredibly well which really gives the film an almost manic and vibrant energy it never manages to recapture in the back half of the film.  There's a definite sense that film starts to lose a bit of  steam in the final act which drags here and there which would have been helped with some judicious edits.  Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef and Jerrod Carmichael round out the cast with each turning in subtly effective performances in limited screen time.  Much like one of Dr. Godwin Baxter's experiments, Poor Things, is a fascinating amalgam of ideas and concepts that results in something singular and distinctive.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM

 

After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis. Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction.

Director: James Wan

Cast: Jason Momoa,  Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison, Randall Park

Release Date: December 22, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some language.

Runtime: 2h 4m

James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a goofy, lighthearted adventure that delivers plenty of well staged, CGI infused action sequences which keeps things entertaining but the cobbled together script keeps it from being truly fun.  To his credit, Wan creates a large, expansive world as his heroes move from massive set pieces to another.  He borrows from a bevy of sources such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings which gives the proceedings a familiar feel from the start.  His visual flourishes create a rather kinetic feel to all the action which prove to be the high points of the film.  The combination of advanced tech, mysticism, villainous underlings dressed in matching uniforms and large men in garishly designed costumes might make people of a certain age think they've accidently stumbled into a Masters of the Universe film.  The whole film has a Saturday morning cartoon come to life feel which would be more fun if the script hadn't been so painfully hackneyed.  The first movie was sophomoric fun with its brotastic humor but it was smart enough to give its stars time to add a little depth to their characters.  That's all gone here as each character is stripped down its most basic, simplistic version of itself.  Jason Momoa's oversized persona and charisma are what made this character work but he's strangely muted for the majority of the runtime.  Pairing him with Patrick Wilson for a straight man/wild card pairing ala Men in Black or 48 Hours should work far better than it does.  The pair's chemistry just never works which isn't helped by an unbaked script that gives them some painfully bad comedic exchanges.  Wilson is surprisingly stiff for the better part of the film while Momoa just sort of seems happy to be there.  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who was a surprisingly engaging villain in the original, suffers a similar fate with the script asking him to look intense but little more.  The strange thing is that even with its faults, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a surprisingly breezy, easy to enjoy mindless bit of superhero fluff even with its two hours runtime but it could have been a proper send off for the Synderverse if there was more time and care  put into the characters and script.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: WONKA

 

Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, young chocolatier Willy Wonka manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.

Director: Paul King

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman,  Hugh Grant

Release Date: December 15, 2023

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical

Rated PG for some violence, mild language and thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 56m

Paul King's Willy Wonka prequel, Wonka, is an utterly charming film that brings a wonderful sense of whimsy and wonder that's hard to deny.  King's musical confection is a wonderful assault on the senses with a series of well staged albeit old fashion, song and dance numbers.  Its a visual feast for the eyes and ears that's like a lovely elixir that guaranteed to put people in a good mood.  King's film is light and airy with a palatable sense of infectious optimism that fits perfectly with a younger Wonka who hasn't become the more cynical and scarier version of himself from the Gene Wilder classic.  Timothée Chalamet is perfectly suited for this version of the character with his boyish looks and general charm.  He mimics some of the mannerisms and movements of Wilder's take but plays him with more wide eyed optimism and naiveite.  Its works well for this film and story even though some looking for bits of the character slightly sinister side will be left wanting.  The supporting cast delivers equally strong work with fun turns from Olivia Colman and an impressive film debut from Calah Lane.  Paterson Joseph, one of the handful of Peep Show alums, chews up every bit of the scenery as the film's villainous chocolatier.  Likewise, Hugh Grant is clearly having a ball playing a CGI Oompa-Loompa so much so that you wish he'd be given a slightly larger role.  It all makes for an undeniably fun film which fit more with the beloved original than the Tim Burton remake which is sure to please plenty of fans.

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A-

MOVIE REVIEW: MIGRATION

 

A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

Director: Benjamin Renner

Cast:  Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Danny DeVito

Release Date: December 22, 2023

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor.

Runtime: 1h 31m

Migration, Illumination's newest animated offering, might not be the studio most memorable film but it does deliver a light, family friendly adventure which is easy for children and adults to enjoy.  Benjamin Renner's film is energetically fun, throwing splashy visuals and gags at the screen in quick succession which keeps the film from hitting too many dead spots.  A series of well constructed sequences offer up a fun bit of variety from dingy swamps populated by decrepit herons to a colorfully manic fly through Manhattan keeps the story moving along at a steady almost frenetic pace.  The colorful character designs provide the film with a visual pop that makes the entire film easy on the eyes.  Paired with excellent performances from the film's voice cast makes the film a fizzy sort of family adventure which is sure to appeal to multiple age groups.  Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks make for a fun pair as the central parents with both being given enough time to shine.  They share fun exchanges throughout while also establishing a believably loving relationship as they face their fears together.  Caspar Jennings and Tresi Gazal also turn in fun roles as the pairs children with Gazal stealing scenes with perfectly timed line readings.  Danny DeVito rounds out the central family, an older gruff but loving uncle.  Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key provide the voices for supporting characters with each bringing their own brand of humor to their roles.  The film and overall story suffers slightly from its central villain, a trendy chef who becomes obsessed with the mallard family.  His character doesn't register much outside of his outsized, tattooed body but in terms of actual characterization there's little to none there.  As is, Migration sits a level under Despicable Me or Sing films leaving it a fun but disposable bit of family entertainment.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

 

A family vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers bearing news of a blackout. As the threat grows, both families must decide how best to survive the potential crisis, all while grappling with their own place in this collapsing world.

Director: Sam Esmail

Cast: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans

Release Date: November 22, 2023

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rated R for language, some sexual content, drug use and brief bloody images.

Runtime: 2h 21m

Sam Esmail's adaptation of the 2020 novel of the same name, Leave the World Behind, is perfectly suited to his particular brand of unsettling and unnerving style.  Anyone familiar with Esmail's Mr. Robot will feel a certain air of familiarity with the approach to this material which traffics in similar themes and subject matters as his signature show.  His ability to frame shots and sequences in off kilter ways gives the entire film an unbalanced feel from the start with even mundane moments giving off a sense that something is off.  There's a methodical approach to the action and reveals which may test some viewer's patience but those willing to go with the flow he establishes will get wrapped up in the general air of confusion and unease that the characters experience.  This approach gives the film's more kinetic moments, particularly a sequence in the woods that makes great use of sound design to create an unnerving moment.  It all works because the director and cast are perfectly in tune from the opening sequence through its finale which is sure to upset more than a handful of viewers.  Julia Roberts leads the cast, clearly relishing the chance to play against type as a cynical and vaguely racist wife who sets up the initial trip.  Ethan Hawke is solid as her aloof, easy going husband.  The pair have believable chemistry together as a couple who've been together for a long time with power structures clearly established.  Mahershala Ali is just as good with a more understated, measured approach as someone who's trying to keep everything even keeled in the face of impending doom.  Roberts and Ali share some wonderful moments together which allow each performer to show off their talents.  Myha'la steals a handful of a scenes during the film as Ali's acerbic daughter.  Farrah Mackenzie and Charlie Evans end up on the other end with unwritten characters who never register on the same level as everyone else mainly due to being underwritten and mostly uninteresting archetypes.  Kevin Bacon has a small but memorable scene, but you get the sense that the film could have made better use of him throughout.  It’s a minor issue which is easy to overlook because of the level of craftmanship that Sam Esmail delivers paired with strong performances from his A list cast makes Leave the World Behind a fascinating, apocalyptic mystery thriller.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: SILENT NIGHT

On Christmas Eve, a man witnesses the death of his young son when the boy gets caught in crossfire between warring gangs. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, he soon embarks on a bloody and grueling quest to punish those responsible.

Director: John Woo

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Scott Mescudi, Harold Torres, Catalina Sandino Moreno

Release Date: December 1, 2023

Genre: Action

Rated R for strong bloody violence, drug use and some language.

Runtime: 1h 44m

John Woo's return to American cinema, Silent Night, is a ridiculously scripted B movie that's more fun than it should be thanks to his signature style of action and Joel Kinnaman's engaging central performance.  The dialogue free gimmick is an interesting approach and it does manage to give the film a certain kind of rhythm that works in the film's favor.  Woo is surprisingly restrained especially during the film's opening act which sets up Joel Kinnaman's character and his mental state.  It would have been easy to jump right into the action from the get go but Woo does an admirable job of setting up the emotional stakes with these opening sequences.  That's not to say the story is deeply layered or original because its not.  It stretches credibility on multiple occasions especially since it expects the audience to believe the main character can become an expert in driving, shooting, fighting and surveillance in a span of six months in order to battle hood gangsters straight from central casting.  The sole reason this works at all is due to an impressive and incredibly committed performance from Joel Kinnaman.  His performance drives the film as he proves he's more than up to the challenge of working sans dialogue.  Kinnaman is able to transmit a massive amount of internal emotions through his facial expressions.  It makes for a fascinating turn as he lets us into the character's tortured psyche which is driven solely by loss and vengeance, so much so that you could make the case that this is the best Punisher movie sans the branding.  All and all, Silent Night works better than it should thanks to Woo's energetic action and Kinnaman's engaging performance that makes it far more watchable that the script deserves.   

C+