Average with splashes of meh. There's a bit of mystery because we're trying to figure out who took Ethan. Despite the mystery (which we know will occur during the reveal), the movie is very linear in a very subdued manner.
In order to make the film more interesting for the viewers, the film tosses out a ton of feeble misdirection:
1. It invents a nonsensical scene involving the boyfriend: McAvoy asks where's Ethan's room? Boyfriend acts like he's happy Ethan is out of the way.
2. It involves the McAvoy in a vague way... he works oil, travels internationally: notably the middle east. This must be it!
3. It tosses the investigating cop off the case. "London called! The nation's top cop called! OMG!! I'm to leave this case alone! You are on your own!"
4. Cop tosses out conspiracy theory: puts McAvoy's phone in microwave while suggesting he is being tracked.
5. McAvoy's girlfriend of 5 years is in panic. "They took all your drives!! They took the Iraq files!! OMG! Don't ever call me again!"
Much ado about nothing. None of these things develop further (except for some dialogue at the end of the film). None of the misdirection was part of the story except for a flimsy tie-in to an international ring. The boyfriend is completely forgotten. Poor guy may still be in the hospital as you read this. If any of these red herrings actually led somewhere, it might have been an interesting film.
These things exist only to make a humdrum, very linear plot with sleepy performances (mostly by James McAvoy) - more interesting. 4 karma stars donated to the boyfriend for that senseless beatdown he took in order to spice up this film.
In order to make the film more interesting for the viewers, the film tosses out a ton of feeble misdirection:
1. It invents a nonsensical scene involving the boyfriend: McAvoy asks where's Ethan's room? Boyfriend acts like he's happy Ethan is out of the way.
2. It involves the McAvoy in a vague way... he works oil, travels internationally: notably the middle east. This must be it!
3. It tosses the investigating cop off the case. "London called! The nation's top cop called! OMG!! I'm to leave this case alone! You are on your own!"
4. Cop tosses out conspiracy theory: puts McAvoy's phone in microwave while suggesting he is being tracked.
5. McAvoy's girlfriend of 5 years is in panic. "They took all your drives!! They took the Iraq files!! OMG! Don't ever call me again!"
Much ado about nothing. None of these things develop further (except for some dialogue at the end of the film). None of the misdirection was part of the story except for a flimsy tie-in to an international ring. The boyfriend is completely forgotten. Poor guy may still be in the hospital as you read this. If any of these red herrings actually led somewhere, it might have been an interesting film.
These things exist only to make a humdrum, very linear plot with sleepy performances (mostly by James McAvoy) - more interesting. 4 karma stars donated to the boyfriend for that senseless beatdown he took in order to spice up this film.