I have this unexplainable soft spot for Dean Cain. I idolized him growing up because of four seasons playing the Man of Steel in Lois and Clark. Since then, his career has been a downward spiral of cheesy straight to video flicks. Still every time he is in something, I feel compelled to watch it although I try to avoid that compulsion. I saw this listed and decided...you know what...why not? Well, here lies Cain's redemption. No I'm not saying its some masterpiece of cinema. But it is inherently reminiscent of Stallone's Lock Up, or The Last Castle or Prison Break and its simply entertaining. It is visceral and violent to a fault, ridiculous as it is dark and twisted. WWE Films might have an unusual reputation but they tend to know how to entertain their core audience. Sometimes that means their script isn't exactly brilliant but it is watchable and fun and the production values are very good and even in the most implausible plot, you tend to believe it and that's what makes Vendetta works. As a writer I saw things in the script I would have done differently that would have improved on it. Dean Cain's character wasn't strong enough physically. I wanted him to be even more of an unstoppable bad ass blinded by rage. But then again it also made him more human and believable to watch him getting his revenge while still getting his licks too.
I really don't think Dean Cain could pull this off. He is anything but visceral and violent and guess what? This might be the best role I have ever seen him. He is believable and wicked and messed up and he fits the cast extremely well. His fight scenes are solid and his high intensity emotions work very well. WWE Superstar Paul Wight (The Big Show as he's known) is no Dwayne Johnson but he is pretty good at this role. He is massive and larger than life and definitely makes a killer villain. I'd love to see him in a mainstream film playing something like Doomsday or a massive physical villain like that. Him and Cain have surprisingly good chemistry and their fights are well choreographed. I feel like Michael Eklund is a little underplayed as the evil Warden. He had the opportunity to really play this role well and he's just a little too laid back however its a decent role and he doesn't get in the way of the main characters or story because this is really all about Dean Cain and Paul Wight's intense rivalry. Supporting cast is good and everyone serves their purpose well.
Vendetta is actually filmed extremely well. Yes certain aspects of it are a little cheesy but entertainment wins out. Anyone who loves a violent action flick with a decent little thriller of a story will be entertained by this. Again, this isn't "amazing" and I would not rush out to buy it or see it more than once but I also wouldn't groan to see it again either. You have to go in with mediocre expectations given the cast, production team and history of both of those things. The Soska Sisters who direct this film are carving a niche for themselves in the indie horror genre and are known for their bloody style but perhaps they can add action thriller to their repertoire. Enjoy this one and while it might be forgettable you'll have fun with it while it lasts. 7/10
I really don't think Dean Cain could pull this off. He is anything but visceral and violent and guess what? This might be the best role I have ever seen him. He is believable and wicked and messed up and he fits the cast extremely well. His fight scenes are solid and his high intensity emotions work very well. WWE Superstar Paul Wight (The Big Show as he's known) is no Dwayne Johnson but he is pretty good at this role. He is massive and larger than life and definitely makes a killer villain. I'd love to see him in a mainstream film playing something like Doomsday or a massive physical villain like that. Him and Cain have surprisingly good chemistry and their fights are well choreographed. I feel like Michael Eklund is a little underplayed as the evil Warden. He had the opportunity to really play this role well and he's just a little too laid back however its a decent role and he doesn't get in the way of the main characters or story because this is really all about Dean Cain and Paul Wight's intense rivalry. Supporting cast is good and everyone serves their purpose well.
Vendetta is actually filmed extremely well. Yes certain aspects of it are a little cheesy but entertainment wins out. Anyone who loves a violent action flick with a decent little thriller of a story will be entertained by this. Again, this isn't "amazing" and I would not rush out to buy it or see it more than once but I also wouldn't groan to see it again either. You have to go in with mediocre expectations given the cast, production team and history of both of those things. The Soska Sisters who direct this film are carving a niche for themselves in the indie horror genre and are known for their bloody style but perhaps they can add action thriller to their repertoire. Enjoy this one and while it might be forgettable you'll have fun with it while it lasts. 7/10