The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) Rating: N/A "A butcher house"

First of all, I am afraid, Afraid to say anything bad about it, afraid to comment anything shit about it. Just afraid because I don't want any anonymous comments attack by fan boys. Just be serious score on IMDB of 8.8 with 75% giving perfect 10?!?!?!?.  Well not only that, user reviews talking bad about it also bombarded by disapproval. Just for a case one of the review received 5 out of 61. which means around 56 users said screw his review. Almost all critic reviews praised the movie giving perfect five stars labeling it genious. Well, I don't have anything to said about it, they are the master. Thus this time I will not rate it.

So to begin, The Raid 2 started with gruesome Rama's brother being dragged to nowhere farm and bla bla. BAM!!!! his head was smoked. Poor guy only had around 5 minutes screening time. then after that cutting to Rama in small wooden cabin in nowhere land. Conversed a couple lines then BAM!!!!!!!! The guy in raid 1 with ridiculously white hair that looked like he used bucket of paint as a shampoo being shot in the head. The story just flow on then until Rama ended up in prison after some sort of agreeing with the chief to work undercover in approaching the big mafia. Then SLAM!!!! A big fight CRACK!! SCREAM! SHOUT!! Raining blood. Then Rama went out of prison - - hmm. Then the story go on with gruesome bloody fight. Yeah mean really really bloody with cracked bones, grilled faced, skewered neck and a sprinkle of family drama. The Raid 2 is packed with martial fight scenes with BLOOD as the main ingredients. Is just like Gareth Evans (Director) said "well the fight is good, lets add some blood; well the talking is enough, lets add some blood; well lets pour the film with blood so we don't have to do it in post production". The fight is great I have to admit it. But it will be greater without the shaky camera. So the art of Silat can be clearly seen and admired. I understand that they have to hide the fakeness with shaky camera. But its a shame that the gruesome stabbing and slashing are standing out more than the art of Silat fight.

The plot and character is lacking. Starting of with Rama and then moved to Uco for the almost half of the movie and then back to Rama as the hero of the day. Other than that have to praise Oka Antara as Eka that executed it very well than the rest of the cast. As well as Kenichi Endo as Goto. They both really stand out from the crowd. But for Rama, I just don't really get it. A love-able and humble husband, A dedicated cop or just physco maniac with ambition for blood and revenge. The plot is predictable as you watched the first installment. Its just like Evans trademark to leave a twisting plot at the end of the movie. Unfortunately this time the same formula did not turn to the same result. Perhaps a miscalculation or something. Its just did not have the kick like the first installment.

Well on top of that, the raid 2 is the debut of Indonesian film that really stand out from that local creepy lame horror movie that have ridiculous name like "Pocong having grandchild".  The Raid 2 will give such entertainment and enjoyment for the blood thirsty fans. The Raid 2 is the first Indonesian action genre movie to be distributed across the globe. You like violence movie then this is a must. A must to watch in the silver screen. There are a lot of improvements from the Raid 1 like more lively dialogue , a vast setting from city to old house to warehouse. But please, please don't bring any children. REMEMBER R++++ no children for this movie. PLEASE!. You don't want to traumatize with scene of bloody piece of brain dangling from the blown skull. For faint heart, stay out of this. At the end, I like Raid 1 but not Raid 2.
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Psst: There are a lot of deleted scenes, if you are eager to look for more blood. Just search it in youtube. You can also find it in the trailer. Like the guy shooting someone head on escalator. and this gang war scenes. 

10/06/2014 update====>

Recently received a letter of complain from GOOGLE saying that I infringed a copyright law on this particular post "The Raid 2" which I do not even know what have I been infringing. Posting a poster that I took from wikipedia? Sharing a video that clearly stated trailer from youtube? 

Been checking it out on chillingeffects.org. Here is the details =>
http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512c/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1736067
The complaint was sent by Madman Entertainment Pty Ltd 
So to take matter no further, I deleted the posters and video that I shared on the 

Avengers (2012) Rating: 4 / 5 "Making Transformers looks like amateur"

Avengers is good. In fact, with the same theme like Transformers, Avengers make Transformers look like an ordinary movie. Unlike Transformers which largely focusing on big action, big explosions and loud action scene but less on humane aspect, Avengers do put extra bit in it to distinguish itself from transformers. It involves deeply the characters in the story rather than plotting them in different action scene. Despite them working together as a big team, it is quite amazing to see all the actors playing the character really stays in the character like what they did in the individual movie. Yes, Tony Stark is just what a  Tony Stark looks like in Iron Man "an arrogant rich man with intelligence mind". There is nothing complicated and special about the premise of the movie, but the way they put it together and gives each character a proportionate scene makes it a very well balanced Avengers.

The setting is amazing. Located right in the middle of the city just like Transformer 3. The scale of destruction and explosion is as well a tight contender of Transformer 3. Some special effect like floating Battleships and flying monsters are flawless and acceptable. The battle-scene on the lifted road reminded me on the scene in "The legend" where Will Smith character trapped himself. Is it the same setting? Perhaps so. 

The ability of the writer to give a well balanced action scene for each character is amazing. Despite Nick Fury looks like supporting character, all the heroes have the chances in all the fighting scene. One hero does not overwhelmed other hero, in fact they are being developed in each plot to create the Avengers.  Even though, Hawk-eye and Black Widow do not really have  super power, their role is just as crucial as Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America. On the other words, each character role is just as important as it is. Except Nick Fury that suppose to lead but end up being set aside for the super hero bonanza. 


The storyline has lifted the movie and distinguished it from movie like Transformer that only focus on the action and less character developing. Mark Ruffalo make the green monster "Hulk" alive. Mark executed the character very well, as if he is portraying it seriously. A emotional connection could be felt from the way he executed the line. Especially the part when he told that he tried to kill himself but then the green Hulk puked it out the bullet.  

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

The Cold Light of Day (2012) Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Not Bad"

To start with, The Cold Light of Day is not a great movie but as well not a bad movie. Just lack of emotional connection and uninteresting plot make it looks like straight to DVD movie or TV movie at least. Bruce Willis appearance just merely an accessories to make the movie seems to be interesting.  "A marketing strategy" perhaps. Unlike Catch 44 or Expendables, Bruce Willis did  not give any plus to Cold Light of Day. In fact, Bruce Willis character "Martin Shaw" is set to be forgotten in the first 30 minutes as it turns to saving family matter rather than discovering what Martin Shaw really is. A very conflict of intention from the writer isn't it? Sigourney Weaver "Carrack" as an antagonist is just ordinary. There is nothing special on the character Jean Carrack, in fact Jean Carrack is just like any other supporting character that you can find in agency themed movie like 24.

The plot of the story is okay, although some of the plot will tingle your sense of curiosity with several twisting, it fails to finish the execution. Hence, leaving the us either with half full glass of water. Just like eating a dinner but missing a closing sweet dessert. Yet, I have to praise the effort of it. At least it is acceptable but not extra-ordinary action thriller.  I think the story line is lacking of some crucial part which is Martin Shaw. If only the writer did push up the mystery element of Martin Shaw, The Cold Light of Day could have touched the high bar. Yet, in term of entertainment, the movie is a perfect choice for your weekend outing fun with your friends and family. However, if you expected it more like 24, Die Hard or Bourne, be prepared to be disappointed.

Bruce Willis as I said is just an accessories, perhaps without him, Cold light of Day would be straight to DVD action thriller. I don't know why Bruce have been in several movies with only short appearance lately or is not the main character. Age might have been restricting him to do more than he used to be. Reaching 57 years must be hard to perform his own stun and heavy action scene.  Well, expecting him to be back in hardcore action movie like Die Hard. Hope that the upcoming Kane & Lynch game adaptation movie (2013) won't let Bruce Willis fans down.


The action scene is intense enough, some of it might lift you up from the seat. Some it is perfectly shot and I like the anti-climax scene where the Shaw car was flipped over during the chase. The cinematography "rotating shot" is brilliant. As well as the main character falling from the roof scene.

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

Act of Valor (2012) Rating : 2 / 5 "An utter - - HOaaammmmmm"

Click the picture for Wiki-Info

Act of Valor is a product of insulting the Battlefield and Call of Duty fans. Despite feeding us with tons of explosions, gun fighting and tremendous modern weapon, AoV is utterly a disappointment in terms of acting and characterization. So its kinda cool to jump from one location to another location just like COD Modern Warfare, apparently not without a good story-line.

"Have to admit it that the story-line is way out of the phase, putting me in boring face, yawning along the movie for God sake. "

The premise is simple and utterly specific, which is "Capturing the head of the terrorist to prevent another attack on American soil". It is so simple yet they failed to make it so intensely and excitingly complicated. Unlike Jack Bauer in 24 or Black Hawk Down or even Saving Private Ryan that gives you a dramatic conflict and sets you closer to the character which you feel some sort of connected with it at the end of the movie, Act of Valor is somewhat "Yes sir, yes sir, you are right sir, lets go with it sir" movie. It brings you straight to the end without any amazing twisting plot and dramatic conflict or even the emotional state of the lead character. They decided to put an actor with deep voice like the Terminator dude to impress us, unfortunately they make it even worse. It almost put me to sleep with the non-excitement, un-energetic voice that when you closed your eyes and heard it, you would think that the dude must be waking up for a Good-day Monday. 

The storyline is awkwardly told, Started with Voice Over telling us the courage, the honor, bravery and heroism and then suddenly bring you to Philippines and bring you back to the states for another voice over and bring you to all of the world with a very little intention to tell you what was really happening around there. Well, to be honest. The first scene sort of brought my expectation up that this movie was going to be great, but actually I was being lifted to enjoy a short throne and then being thrown to the river just to be brought by the current to the edge of waterfall and saved by a branch. 

Have to praise the action scenes, gun fight and explosion stuffs, surely it did make the movie a lot better. At least something is really entertaining. The power of the gun fight, car chasing, and close encounter did really give some hope for us that came to see the big things. The modern weapon and vehicle brought in and the satellite technology stuff that looks like COD:MW series. Fps fans have finally fulfill what they have been expecting ,at least part of it (Better something than nothing). 

Overall, the movie a good entertainment for youngster that value the action but not for hardcore moviegoers that more into story and character development. You know something is not that good if you saw people started to walk out minutes before the credit was shown. 

X-Men: First Class (Genre: Action, Adventure) Rating : 4 / 5 "Listen carefully my friend, you should watch it"

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Produced by Gregory Goodman

                      Simon Kinberg

Story by Sheldon Turner

               Bryan Singer

Starring James McAvoy

              Michael Fassbender

              Kevin Bacon

Studio Marvel Studios

            Dune Entertainment

            Bad Hat Harry Productions

                                                       Distributed by 20th Century Fox

                                                            Release date 1 June 2011

                                                              Running time 132 Minutes

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Quick Synopsis

Charles Xavier (Professor X "McAvoy") and Erik Lensherr (Magneto "Fassbender") was a good old folks who pursue different paths. Erik is in the a deep grief to avenge his mother death. Been through the pain of Nazi eras, Erik soon discover his dark personality. While, Charles Xavier lives alone in a big mansion since young and have a  idealistic view of the society between mutants and humans. Both Charles and Erik met in the middle of the fight with Shaw "Bacon" the dangerous mutant. Erik is blinded by his hunger for revenge and Charles tries to find Erik's inner peace. However as time goes by, both Erik and Charles are not destined for the same path.  

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Review

X-Men first class is refreshing the franchise that is going downward since the last Wolverine X-men origin. This whole new concept of the story did really bring up the franchise to a new level. The story is beautifully crafted and for those who followed all the series of X-men movies, this first class really explained all of it.

McAvoy executed the Charles Xavier greatly with the punch line that I would never forget "Listen carefully my friend, killing shaw will not bring you peace". The audiences are brought to better understanding of the Professor X and Magneto characteristics. This whole concept of rebuilding the atmosphere of mutants world by bringing the founders of X division "Charles Xavier" and mutant brotherhood "Erik Lansheer" and put it in a new perspective did surely revived the dying franchise. The character building which is the part that needed to be praised even though the special effects are a bit patchy as some says. 

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X-Men First Class

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Buzz!
Do you know that the opening scene of X-Men first class (2011) and X-Men 1 (2000) is similar? You should check it out!

Sucker Punch (2011; Genre: Fantasy, Action) Rating : 1.5 / 5 "Sucker punched"

Directed by Zack Snyder

Produced by Deborah Snyder and Zack Snyder

Story by Zack Snyder

Starring Emily Browning

               Abbie Cornish

Studio Legendary Pictures

            Cruel and Unusual Films

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date 25 March 2011

Running Time 120 minutes

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Quick Synopsis

Baby doll is being sent by her stepfather to mental institution. She is planned for lobotomized. Along the way, Baby doll is planning for her escape with the assistance of her other institutionalized friends.

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Review

I laughed at myself for being sucker punched by our beloved director of 300 "Zack Snyder". The movie is awkwardly told. The action part is totally unnecessary. Sometimes a less is more. Fortunately, the plot and setting is interesting enough to keep me watching. But honestly, it took only 40 minutes to finish the story which means that I have to go through agonizing 80 minutes of bored.

The action part is totally a ruin for the story atmosphere. However, you have to praised the hard work of the beautifully crafted action scenes. Unfortunately, Sucker Punch could have been better without it. Sucker Punch is suppose to be dark, serious and thrilling. In the end, Sucker punch is a coffee with too much sugar.

Well in term of character building, there is an eager of wanting to know what really is going on with the "Baby Doll". Is she really mentally ill or what else? Disappointingly, the line of finding out is kinda blurred, thus leaving the audiences to adopt a certain perspective along the movie "Guessing".

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Trailer

Faster (2010) Genre: Action, drama ; Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Faster is too fast"

Wikipedia

Directed by              George Tillman, Jr.

Release date          24 November 2010

Studio           Castle Rock Entertainment

Starring                       Dwayne Johnson;

                                  Billy Bob Thornton     

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Brief Synopsis

Vengeful Mr. Driver "Dwayne Johnson" running rage through the town and interstate to avenge his brother death on a set up bank robbery 10 years ago.

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Review

Released four months ago and I just noticed it now. It seems like the movie doesn't exists at all and there is only one and only one explanation for it "A poor marketing campaign". 

Well got to be excited as Dwayne Johnson is back on action genre after the tooth fairy invasion. Despite the poor performance of the movie in financial term, Dwayne Johnson does surely lifted the movie a bit, pulling "Faster" out from garbage list of 2010 Movies. Dwayne Johnson has been perfecting the aggressive tough character through out movie like "The Walking Tall' and "Rundown". Again, he is pulling his magic out saving this half empty "Faster".

Faster is a poorly written movie which is left half emptied. The movie doesn't has a clear direction either to go toward regular or darker and more serious action movie. Faster could have been better as it has interesting plot, good casting and directed beautifully. Unfortunately, the only let down of it is the story line that failed to focus on character building leaving the audience with a little clue of how it suppose to be. Or on the other words, Faster tells a fast story with a fast moving plot as a result Faster was kicked out from the top ten list just as fast as how it told the story.

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Trailer 

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Salt (2010; Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller) Rating: 3.5 / 5 "Need Mr. Pepper"

Studio Relativity Media

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Directed by Philip Noyce

Release date 23 July 2010

Running time 98 minutes

Language English

Starring Angelina Jolie

Liev Schreiber

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Augus Diehl

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Brief Synopsis

CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is interrogating Russian defector which then she recovers an assassination plot against Russian president on his visit to US that will bring destruction to the United States. Later, it reveals that Evelyn Salt is Russian spymaster mole planted on CIA to execute the most outrageous and well planned plot to bring US down to their knees. Peabody who is a CIA agent that is pursuing Salt then reveals that she is not what she is.

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Review

Salt is a spot on movie for your weekend entertainment. The movie has developed real good action element that will make you jump out of your seat excited. Surely, the action is spot on and it will pump up your adrenaline. Unbelievably, Angelina Jolie executed the character very well that you won't realize that she is the humble woman from the "Changeling (2008)".

The action element is perfectly developed with story line backing it up, hence, you are surely going to enjoy it. Yet, when everything seems to be perfect, Salt actually need a pepper indeed to spice all the things up. Audiences will feel that something is missing along the storyline, let me tell you that the chef have forgotten to put pepper on your meal.Salt is lacking in the development of the dark character of Salt. You must be asking why would she turns against her groups besides losing her partner? Well, seems like if the movie dragged a bit longer to 120 minutes that might be sufficient to add some element and spice up the story line which I am sure that it is going to lift Salt from amazing to extra ordinary.

psst: The first cast is actually Tom Cruise which is "Edwin A. Salt" which then Angelina Jolie stepped in and there you are "Evelyn Salt". No wonder I find that in several scene, Salt acted like a male character cause it is re-written for Angelina.

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Trailer

The Expendables (2010; Genre: Action) Rating : 2 / 5 "Tasteless"

Studio Nu Image

Millennium Films

Distributed by Lionsgate

Directed by Sylvester Stallone

Release date 13 August 2010

Running time 98 minutes

Language English

Starring Sylvester Stallone

Jason Statham

Jet Li

Dolph Lundgren

Randy Couture

Mickey Rourke

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Brief Synopsis

A group of hired mercenaries is send to Gulf of Aden to rescue the hostages and end up with them accomplishing the mission. Sooner after the previous mision, Mr. Church comes to offer a deal for to assassinate General Garza in fictional island Vilena which later they find out that there is something behind the intention of Mr. Church. Barney (Sylvester), the leader of the team called "the expendables", decided to take on the missions although they have cancelled the deal when he finds out that they were being set up by Mr. Church to kill their own man.

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Review

With lots of big stars, the movie could have done better however The Expendables is just another classic action movie. Tonnes of explosions and gun fights are filling almost the whole 90 minutes of the movie. Unfortunately, the story line which is a bit of this and a bit of that seems to be letting the movie down especially with the short and corny dialog which makes some of the stars look like a fool. The drama element is badly developed, seems like it just making the movie looks longer with unclear romantic element.

Jet Li fight scene is a disappointment, the art of the fight that Jet Li usually executes has long gone since the beginning of the movie. Well, this is what a happen when you ask a boxer "Rocky Balboa" to direct a kungfu fight scene. The result is neither kungfu nor boxing.

Well, looking at the intensity of the action, it is not bad. The action element is well developed and it is surely going to entertain action lover. With all the big stars, the movie turns out to be not what I have expected i.e ordinary.

Killers (2010; Genre: Action, Comedy, Romantic) Rating: 1 / 5 "Neither fun nor action""

Studio Katalyst Films

Distributed by Lionsgate

Directed by Robert Luketic

Release date 4 June 2010

Running time 100 minutes

Language English

Starring Katherine Heigl

Ashton Kutcher

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Brief Synopsis

Jen Kornfeldt (Katherince Heigl) has just recently broken up with his boyfriend and decides to go for a vacation with her parents. On the way to her hotel room, she meets a guy named Spencer (Ashton Kutcher). Then it cuts to the scene where Spencer as a spy is completing his tasks but before he managed to ask Jen out for dinner. Afterwards, both end up having a good holiday together and start to build up their relationships without Jen noticing that her soon coming husband in three years time is actually a spy that work with "bla bla bla" and given a license to "bla bla".

Three years later, Spencer is under a hit list with bounty of $20 million and afterwards the secret slowly evolving. Spencer will then try to run away and deal with those bounty hunter involving Jen which later in the scene announced that she is going to have a baby. Spencer regrettably keep his previous Job before marriage a secret and the drama emerge with happy ending.

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Review

The great premise of the movie if executed well in high level of cinematic art by getting rid of the comedy element and starts moving towards hardcore cinematic art could have been a fantastic movie. However, fact did not say so. Killers is neither funny nor intense with the drama is not fully developed, action is flat and romantic is dull. Killers is just like another TV movie to waste your time.

Getting inside the movie,

Killers has a 45 minutes of nonsense, boring and flat character building. Fortunately, for the audience the action starts to emerge after a long 45 minutes waiting. Yet, it doesn't help in rebuilding the audiences interest about the movie as Killers story line flows flat to the end of it. Moreover, the characters of the movie is not very well executed. It might seems that Kutcher is better staying in drama genre rather than in action genre.

Comparing previous movie with the similar plot "Knight and Day" and "Date Night", Killers is far below than any of those two movies. Perhaps, if Killers was out first before any similar plot movie like K n D and Date Night, it could have received some interest in the audience. However, with all those similar plot flooding the cinema from beginning of 2010, I guess audiences has quite fed up with similar story line.

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Movie trailer

Repo Men (2010; Genre: Sci-fi, Thriller, Drama, Action) Rating : 1.5 / 5 "Tricked by the cover of the movie"

Studio Relativity Media

Stuber Pictures

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date(s) March 19, 2010

Running time 111 min

Main actor Jude Law

Forest Whitaker

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Repo Men is a failure of great cinematography. Seems like the art of unknown has really been forgotten in the process of making this movie as it is filled with unnecessary disgusting scene of killing and ripping someone flesh.

Brief Synopsis

2025, where human health has been deteriorating and the demand of organ transplant has incredibly jump up. Therefore, here comes the union as usual acting as an organisation that is slowly consuming either innocents or sinners just to gain great sales of artificial organ transplant.

Due to the cost of the AI organ, repo-men is needed to collect the organ from people who can't afford to meet the monthly payment. No matter what is the reason, repo-men is a human without feeling will just ripped off the AI organ from anyone even though they are still alive.

Remy (Jude Law), is one of the best repo-men that the union have. One day, his best friend Jake (Forest Whitaker) is devastated with Remy plan to quit the repo-men position. Hence, Jake then set-up Remy to become one of the AI organ user itself.

Since then, Remy finally realizes what has he done and now living a live being hunted by the repo-men.

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Review

Remy is a well executed character but not fully developed yet as it seems to be lacking of dark element inside this character. However, Jude Law seems to has done his best bringing this character alive if I may see. So do, Forest Whitaker, as usual always end up in a character that either good or bad.

The biggest disappointment is the movie is filled with unnecessary scene of violence that will put you down to know more about it. The movie will make you sick and finally for some will say "enough is enough" and turn of the TV or maybe walked out from the cinema.

Its too bad and sad to see a great actor in a badly directed movie. The movie would have been okay if they just omitted the bloody killing scene and especially the ending climax scene which I can't believe that the director really go through it.

However, in term of the story line, the movie has a similar plot with the movie "NEXT" starring Nicolas Cage, only repo-men has a different premise and storyline. Well, I might say the drama is not well developed as the audience is only left with only a bit story about his conflicts with his family and rather more focus on the Repo-men activity.

Overall, I would just say that the movie is disappointing as it is.