The Condemned (2007)

Not Gilligan's Island

The Condemned is a "logical result" film. In recent years, the reality show craze has included shows that involve people risking serious personal injury for bucks. The logical result is a show that involves people getting killed. This film is about such a scenario. Ten condemned convicts in "third world" prisons(a few of whom are from "first world" countries) are placed on a remote island. They will fight to the death as millions watch (for a hefty fee) on the Internet. The last one standing will be freed.

Cameras are placed everywhere on the island and subscribers to the show on the Net get to see the gore up close. There are cold-blooded teckies in a control room under the supervision of a greedy producer, unconvincingly portrayed by Robert Mammone. The condemned range from the really really bad, to the not so bad at all, to the very good (Jack Conrad).

Steve Austin plays Jack Conrad. Austin has three expressions: tough with a grimace, tough with a grin, and just plain tough.

All in all, it's an exciting action film that does not seem to recognize the irony of moralizing about exactly the type of entertainment we see on the screen. August 18, 2008

Unoriginal, but who cares

A group of 10 condemned criminals are taken to an island and set against each other, with freedom being the prize for the last survivor.

There is very little in "The Condemned" that is remotely original; it could essentially be described as "The Running Man" meets "Battle Royale" meets "Die Hard". Yet, in spite of the fact that I have seen all of these films many times, it didn't bother me. "The Condemned" is a good action film that required very little brain power and kept me entertained for its entire duration. There is very little character development; the hero (wrestler Steve Austin) barely speaks; and the message at the end is delivered in a rather heavy-handed manner; but if you're looking for 100 minutes of mindless violence, then this film won't disappoint.
August 8, 2008

A BETTER WWE film to watch

I just gotta say, of all the would-be films that were made by the WWE, this one delivered BIG time. I mean if you look at movies like "The Marine", and "Walking Tall". What do they both have in common-NO ACTING. I mean the stories were good, but Vince McManon, or how ever you pronounce his last name, just flat-out flopped them both. No emotion, no real expressions of loss, or pain, or just about anything. I think he needs to know what it really takes to make a good movie. However, "The Condemned" out-shined them with flaw-less proformance. I just pray that the next WWE film that comes out will just as, or better then this one. Steve Austin is the man. August 7, 2008

sonnenja

Whether you like Austin or not, this is absolutely one of the very best action films I have ever seen.

If you like action films, do not pass this on by. August 1, 2008

Surprisingly good Action flick

I got the DVD from the library so there was no great investment on my part and really expected to stop it after 20 minutes. But it surprised me. Robert Mammone, as the tycoon sponsoring this internet viewing only battle royal to the death, has solid acting chops along with the always interesting to watch Rick Hoffman. Of the group of combatants, Manu Bennet and Dasi Ruz show real chemistry and Vinnie Jones is always believable as a murderous bastard.

Okay, the premise is simple as any action movie tends to be whether it's escaping aliens ("Predator," "Alien") or stopping the thing that will end the world ("The Rock," "Armagedon"). A rich, pompous, self absorbed tycoon buys convicted criminals from jails around the world, brings them to a small island and offers them freedom if they're the last one alive after 30 hours while he broadcasts on the internet for $49.95. To their ankle is strapped an explosive device that will trigger if they try to remove it.

What makes a story interesting is it's execution from casting, directing, cinematography, dialogue, etc. Every romance story is the same boy meets, girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl reunite in the end. Director Scott Wiper knows he's not making a Merchant Ivory film and so focuses on the compelling fight sequences, the question of who will be left, and how they are eliminated.

Now, I've read critiques about Austin's acting and I don't think these viewers get it. As the director states in the commentary, Austin, like other action heroes before him, has the confidence to do nothing. His range is limited and it plays to his advantage. Looking back on the Schwarzenegger Stallone era, does anybody remember them acting other than cool under fire? Clint Eastwood made a career out of squinting and teeth gritting. Look at your rappers supposedly turned "actors" like Ice-T, DMX, LL Cool J. Their entire range consists of going from snotty to snottier and back again. So Austin playing it tight and close only works for him and the role. He's the hero and viewers expect certain behavior from them. Other characters are used to portray the emotions of danger, fear and sadness that help us read the severity of the situation.

Now as far as the commentary on reality shows and internet viewership, and the lust for violence I'll leave it to the sociologists and more scholarly journals. Suffice to say, this is a good solid action flick, worth the rental price. So sit back, turn off your brain and enjoy. July 28, 2008

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