THE LOSERS
Director Sylvain White adapts the Vertigo comic about a team of mercenaries who wage war on the CIA after they're double-crossed in the field and left to die. Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Jensen (Chris Evans), Roque (Idris Elba), Pooch (Columbus Short), and Cougar (Óscar Jaenada) were on a black-ops mission in the Bolivian jungle when rogue CIA agent Max (Jason Patric) hung them out to dry. After beating the odds and surviving their ordeal, the team decides to strike back against Max even if it means sacrificing their own lives to do so. Aiding them on their treacherous suicide mission is sexy operative Aisha (Zoe Saldana), who has her own reasons for wanting to see Max get his just deserts. But getting to Max won't be easy, because in addition to having the CIA on his side, he's about to spark a war that could plunge the entire globe into chaos. Their time quickly running out as Max's plan kicks into overdrive, the Special Forces unit that everyone assumed dead arms themselves to the teeth and prepares to strike back with a vengeance. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Director: Sylvain White
Cast: Jeffrey Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short
Release Date: Apr 23, 2010
Rated pg-13 for a scene of sensuality, violence, sequences of intense action and language
Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
Coming to life with a kinetic energy that makes the film engaging right from the start, The Losers is the kind of stupid fun that makes illogical storylines and overly telegraphed twist bearable. Sylvain White give this comic adaptation a zany over the top feel which is perfect for the subject matter and nothing is every terribly weighty or heady. Instead there is a clear cut modus operandi to provide as much action packed mindless fun as possible. White moves this movie along at a brisk pace allowing you to gloss over some of the more glaring issues in the story. The cast is clearly on board and is clearly having fun from the start. Jeffery Dean Morgan feels extremely naturalistic as the team’s alpha dog Clay. He lives in this characters skin easily and coolly throughout. Idris Elba is strong as the 2nd in command even if he’s shackled with the most obvious of storylines. Chris Evan is a real scene stealer as the wise cracking hacker Jensen. Oscar Jaenada and Columbus Short are both good in more limited roles. Jason Patrick seems miscast as the film main baddie, he never quite gets the character and overdoes what should have been a cooler more sinister character. Zoe Saldana is right at home as the resident female ass kicker, her and Morgan have strong chemistry. The flaws while forgivable are hardly small. Sylvain White does what he can to cover up the story’s silliness and illogical plot and for the most part he succeeds but in some of the slower parts in the third act they become more and more apparent. Still, as silly action films go this one is a strong example of how to keep it light and fun.
B-
