The straightforward dialog very nearly defeats the cast, leaving them sounding like they're quoting lines from an even worse movie. Murray has terrific presence at the centre of the storm, trying to negotiate with the more reasonable Matthias to save his family. Buckner and Olson have plenty of charisma, but are never more than thugs, even if one is less monstrous than the other. Willis' tough-as-nails Frank is so surly that he barely registers, so we wait for him to kick into Die Hard mode.

Relentlessly dark with little real-life spark, the movie wallows in both fear and macho posturing, with constant gun-waving and trash-talking, plus the odd moment of male bonding (the female roles never come to life at all). Since much of this takes place over the course of a long night, most action is encased in shadow. So by the time the sun rises, it feels like the movie is simply refusing to end. What follows is a series of desperately dopey standoffs, including a gratuitous car chase. And of course some unearned sentimentality.

themes, language, violence

24.Jul.20

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