The Condemned (2007)

Our infatuation with violence and death is the overlying message of this movie, The Condemned. Starring Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones, The Condemned is about a multi-millionaire who takes ten death row inmates and creates a reality show to see who will be the last one standing. Literally as they must kill each other to win the game. The survivor wins their freedom. All the while, the show is put on across the Internet and millions of people sign on to watch.

This movie wasn't too bad. Steve Austin does a commendable job as the "good guy" who is must fight for his life for freedom. His character, Jack Riley, a Black Ops soldier, who was put in a Central American jail after he was captured on a mission, fights to survive the game. You know right from the start of the movie what is going to happen, but Austin brings some humanity to the role. Not an Oscar winning performance by any means, but he still does a fine job and he can still kick some ass.

The rest of the actors, particularly Vinnie Jones do an OK job as well. Jones is a bad ass killer who takes pleasure in seeing people in pain. Jones pulls the job off well as you the pleasure in his eyes as he is beating his opponents.

I think we at some point we are all guilty of enjoying a little bit of violence here and there. Who doesn't slow down when passing a car accident to see what has happened or enjoys a good scrap in a hockey game or a boxing mash. We, majority of us anyways, enjoy violence a little bit too much. Not saying we are bad people, but we have become so accustomed to violence as it is a huge part of our culture.

Overall, The Condemned was not a bad movie. I actually quite enjoyed it. It didn't do all that well in the box office, but is doing pretty well on DVD. Violent, yes, extreme, you bet. If you like that kind of movie, check this one out. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Enjoy the movie!!

The Flick Guru