If there is one genre which will always manage to entertain me easily then it is the action genre (probably having to do with growing up in the eighties and nineties). With those movie I’m not bothered by a simplistic story and if it has some good one liners, lots of action and only a few dull moments I’m entertained. Brick Mansions fits the genre perfectly and doesn’t waste much time in showing the viewer its setting. In Detroit there is a neighbourhood which became so dangerous that the city decided to build a big wall around it, guarded by police at the exits making sure the people living there wouldn’t bother others.
That neighbourhood is called Brick Mansions and is ruled by Tremaine Alexander (RZA), who controls everything. Together with his thugs he has become rich by selling drugs. Lino (David Belle) is trying to clean up the neighbourhood, but this isn’t appreciated by Tremaine. During its spectacular opening Lino tries to escape Tremaine’s men by free running. Tremaine has become a threat to the city because he has managed to get his hand on a bomb which could wipe out everyone in the city. The mayor sends in officer Damien Collier (Paul Walker, in one of his final roles). He will have to go undercover in Brick Mansions and neutralise the bomb.
The stories of both Collier and Lino come together quickly. The parts in which Lino is doing his freerunning are nicely shot. After a few movie roles I’m still not convinced by RZA’s acting capabilities. His role here is just being the bad guy, so not a lot is needed.
It still is weird to see Paul Walker in a movie knowing he isn’t around anymore. He always was an actor who might not be considered as being in the top 10 of best actors, but he always put a lot into his roles, which also shines through here.
Brick Mansions can’t be called a masterpiece, but offers enough entertainment to the action fan to spend some time with.
This doesn’t sound like my cup of tea Nostra, but I might rent it out of curiosity as it’s Walker’s last movie.
No, I don’t know many people who liked this one so don’t be disappointed when you don’t like it 😉
The score is a lot better than I expected. The trailers had it looks so goofy and corny that I passed on it completely. May have to look it up on DVD.
Well, it actually is, but like I say I don’t have high standards when it comes to this type of movie. I’m easily satisfied with them
Nice review Nostra. I thought this was dumb, and the plot is laughable, but I enjoyed it in a bad but good way. Walker was solid here, and I totally wouldn’t mind watching again.
Thanks man. Yeah it is dumb and the plot laughable, but that’s the case for most action movies. Comes with the genre 😉
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