Avengement (2019) — Netflix Movie Review
Despite its ridiculous title, Avengement delivers what it promises as an exploitation film without pretension in a tight hour and a half runtime. Scott Adkins' works hard to show off his acting range and dedication to the role as a ne’er-do-well become a hardened scrappy badass thug.
Adkins plays Cain Burgess, who breaks away from police custody and goes on a revenge streak on a group criminals,whose machinations made him serve a brutal stint at a maximum security prison. Cain suffers from endless attacks in prison and ends up as a scarred, metal toothed, stone-cold ruffian.
While this movie is loaded with entertaining action sequences, much of the film is buoyed by Adkins' charismatic yet over-the-top performance. And is a cross between Tom Hardy’s title perfomance in Bronson (2008), Min-Sik Choi as Dae-Su in Oldboy (2003), and Vinnie Jones in Guy Ritchie Crime films like Snatch (2000). The stunt choreography is complex without high-flying flourishes, mostly displayed in gritty fashion, which is perfectly consistent with the world and character.
But much of the films' problem lies in its superficial cinematic influences from other films, particularly Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) as Nick Moran who played the lead, Eddy, in that film plays a prominent role in Avengement. Even the cockney verbal jabs between characters illustrate its cinematic influences rather becoming its own thing. Also, there are no fanciful cinematography or deep meaningful mise-en-scene to elevate this revenge picture akin to Korean revenge films like Oldboy. The cinematography is professionally well done but also efficient and to the point. Thus making great use of the film’s budgetary limitations, but simply used to establish its set pieces... no more, no less.
Adkins shows off that he is one of the hardest working stunt professionals in the business. While its great that he showed off his range juxtaposing vulnerability and toughness, he still couldn’t transform it into a complex performance. As his character is simply a good guy, turned super tough badass, who does good in the end.
Veteran stuntman turned film’s director, Jesse V Johnson utilizes Adkins well and stages some incredible set pieces. The film is tight and entertaining, and knows what it is and tries to not to overstay its welcome. And while this is no John Wick, this is a perfect vehicle to show off the talented Scott Adkins, who is currently one of the top stunt performers today.
