It seems that the WWE is determined to get into all forms of
entertainment, not just sports entertainment. Not only have wrestlers had their
own comic books but a number have been placed in starring film vehicles. Some
were good, some okay and some terrible. Fortunately the third of the 12 ROUNDS
films isn’t too bad.
Wrestler Dean Ambrose stars as John Shaw, a tough as nails
cop recently returned to duty after being shot on the job. Few fellow officers
want to work with Shaw as the incident that led to his being wounded also
resulted in the death of his partner and Shaw needing psychiatric counseling.
Needless to say his first day back on the job won’t be easy.
It becomes worse when evidence reaches Shaw that his
ex-partner and the star officer in the station, Tyler Burke, is actually a
corrupt cop who makes more from his illegal activities than he does as an
officer. Burke is the head of a task force assigned to take down crooks but
instead the elite team makes up his band of bandits. Drug deals and more do
little more than line the pockets of Burke and his crew.
Word gets to Burke that the evidence is in the station house
and he heads back to get it from the evidence lockup only to find that Shaw has
it already. Staging an emergency, Burke empties the station house with the
exception of his team and Shaw, cutting off all phones and cell phones as well.
Armed with his handgun, a small amount of ammunition and his cunning, Shaw must
battle his way through the team and find a way to get the information to the
right authorities if he is to survive.
The movie borrows heavily from the DIE HARD films in set up
and execution but not to the point of being a copy. It also doesn’t borrow the
screenwriter as this film tends to offer some truly bad dialogue that the
actors on hand deal with but can’t make better. It’s shot well and directed
well for the low budget style of film it is and in the end doesn’t disappoint
on most counts.
Ambrose is a rising star right now in the wrestling world
but the odds of his turning that into a movie star aren’t likely with this
film. I’ll give him credit for at least making the attempt but this feels like
what it is, the first film for someone stepping into an arena he isn’t familiar
with yet. That being said the end results aren’t that bad for a first time out.
Given time, more roles and a little instruction and Ambrose has the potential
many sports figures turned actors don’t display.
The standout here though is Roger Cross as Burke. My first
exposure to Cross was on the TV series 24 where he played Curtis Manning. Even
given some terrible dialogue in spots here he makes it fit. He pulls off what
could have been a more cartoonish role and makes it somewhat believable. This
is an actor worth looking for in the future.
The end result of this film is that it offers some
entertainment value for action fans and a definite dose of Ambrose for
wrestling fans. It’s not a bad movie at all but it’s not blockbuster status
either. It makes for a fun rental night but only fans will want to add it to
their collections.
Click here to order.
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