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From Amazon.co.uk
Marking the action film debut of MMA star Gina Carano, Haywire is an utterly relentless piece of cinema. It's from director Steven Soderbergh, himself better known for films such as Traffic and Contagion over straight-out action movies. That does mean, though, that he's comfortable finding his own way through the genre, and he does so with considerable style. Many of the trappings of the modern action movie are avoided as a result.
Carano plays a black ops specialist, who inevitably ends up being betrayed, and finds herself on the run from a cast of surprisingly high profile actors. Chief amongst them? Michael Douglas. But Haywire also finds room in its ranks for Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and many others. Some appear fleetingly, others for longer, but there's a sense that you never quite know who's going to appear next.
Carano's never going to win acting awards, but her genuine MMA skill lends the film real authenticity to its action sequences. Bluntly, this is one action lead who you genuinely believe could do you some damage. The fast moving visuals keep pace with her, and the film, save for a stutter as it approaches the end, exceeds expectations. The DVD itself has a smattering of interesting extra features, but it's the rewatchable nature of the main feature that gives the very best value for money here. More action roles for Carano would be welcome, too. --Jon Foster
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By janebbooks
Format:DVD
Steven Soderbergh, the director of HAYWIRE, took a chance casting a mixed-martial arts star named Gina Carano in this movie released in January 2012. It was her first film. Carano plays an ex-Marine, now government assassin who turns rogue. Onscreen she's a cross between Linda Fiorentino (The Last Seduction) and Noomi Repace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). As beautiful and raven haired as Fiorentino and as svelte and agile as Repace in black leather, Carano plays her role more like a Cyborg than a human. And she does her own stunts...great stuff.
As Time film critic Richard Corliss writes in his review, this movie is "sooo 1940's." Yes, it's an "ingenious, old-school, thrill-a-minute" entertaining movie needing no special effects, loud sound track, wild car chases nor hand-held cameras. And it's filmed mainly in Ireland...with one segment in a luxury suite in The Shelbourne Hotel for a little glam.
Gina Carano may be new to film-goers...but there's an impressive array of male superstars. Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas and Channing Tatum. "...effervescent eye candy for guys and gals alike."
Critic Corliss sums up the action with a comparision to another popular action thriller: "It's James Bond vs. Rosa Klebb in the From Russia With Love train compartment. Only you're rooting for Rosa..."
Recommended as a summer movie to watch on a dreary winter day.
Jane
As Time film critic Richard Corliss writes in his review, this movie is "sooo 1940's." Yes, it's an "ingenious, old-school, thrill-a-minute" entertaining movie needing no special effects, loud sound track, wild car chases nor hand-held cameras. And it's filmed mainly in Ireland...with one segment in a luxury suite in The Shelbourne Hotel for a little glam.
Gina Carano may be new to film-goers...but there's an impressive array of male superstars. Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas and Channing Tatum. "...effervescent eye candy for guys and gals alike."
Critic Corliss sums up the action with a comparision to another popular action thriller: "It's James Bond vs. Rosa Klebb in the From Russia With Love train compartment. Only you're rooting for Rosa..."
Recommended as a summer movie to watch on a dreary winter day.
Jane
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By 4132spanky
Format:DVD
Gina Carano makes her bid for stardom under the watchful eye of director Steven Soderbergh and with a supporting cast full of Hollywood A-listers in this fast moving actioner.
In her first lead role mixed martial artist Carano gets to showcase her incredible fighting skills alongside acting talent that is certainly reasonable; albeit unlikely to trouble the Bafta voting panel. With the first fight scene arriving barely two minutes in, the story is revealed through a narrative flashback. In truth the plot is nothing special and could have been lifted from an average Van Damme or Seagal film although neither of those veterans have ever worked with so talented a cast or director. The plot is secondary though and merely serves as a vehicle to showcase Carano's talents and as such it does its job well. Leading men Tatum, McGregor and Fassbender get to go one-on-one with Carano while Douglas and Banderas make the most of cameo roles.
The film is slightly different from most action movies, rather than quick edits Soderbergh leaves the camera on a single view longer than most directors and sometimes we see sections of fights as though viewing from afar with the volume turned down. Despite the unusual touches this is a good if not great movie and I hope the so-so box office doesn't mean this is a one off for Carano. She makes a great leading lady and I hope to see her kicking ass on screen again in the near future.
In her first lead role mixed martial artist Carano gets to showcase her incredible fighting skills alongside acting talent that is certainly reasonable; albeit unlikely to trouble the Bafta voting panel. With the first fight scene arriving barely two minutes in, the story is revealed through a narrative flashback. In truth the plot is nothing special and could have been lifted from an average Van Damme or Seagal film although neither of those veterans have ever worked with so talented a cast or director. The plot is secondary though and merely serves as a vehicle to showcase Carano's talents and as such it does its job well. Leading men Tatum, McGregor and Fassbender get to go one-on-one with Carano while Douglas and Banderas make the most of cameo roles.
The film is slightly different from most action movies, rather than quick edits Soderbergh leaves the camera on a single view longer than most directors and sometimes we see sections of fights as though viewing from afar with the volume turned down. Despite the unusual touches this is a good if not great movie and I hope the so-so box office doesn't mean this is a one off for Carano. She makes a great leading lady and I hope to see her kicking ass on screen again in the near future.
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2.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Wouldn't see it again (ever)
Boring plot, and not very well done.
Usually liking the action genre this movie somehow didn't meet the requirements though. Read more
Usually liking the action genre this movie somehow didn't meet the requirements though. Read more
Published 10 days ago by David
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haywire
Great action film. Very good acting and a good plot. Good bunch of good actors. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys fast action films and good story plots.
Published 1 month ago by micradriver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
Wasn't too sure whether this was going to be good or not? And it was brilliant - a great story arc with twist and turns. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Pc Marlow
2.0 out of 5 stars
not great
Not what I expected, very slow too much of similar action taking place. This one did not work for me.
Published 2 months ago by Rita Butcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
HAYWIRE
A GREAT FILM TO WATCH.THERE IS A LOT OF ACTION AND GOOD STORY LINES WITH IT.
GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY
GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY
Published 2 months ago by Karla
3.0 out of 5 stars
Betrayal and revenge
Whilst action takes place in Barcelona, Spain, Dublin, Eire and the USA, it revolves around a group of private contractors who normally undertake work on behalf of the US... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Walter Yeo
1.0 out of 5 stars
First confusing, then boring - gave up after 45 minutes
Wow, this is a good example of why it's not a good idea to trust soundbite reviews tagged by popular newspapers. "All action movie mayhem at its very best" Sunday Mirror. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Peter O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvellous
Don't be put off by reviews that put down Gina Carano as a non-actor. Is it credible that a director of Soderbergh's stature would have jeopardized a movie of his - and his... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lt. Col. Matthew Andrew Markinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
well worth watching
i had seen the trailer for it and thought it was a great film would recommend it. plenty of action.
Published 3 months ago by foxy
5.0 out of 5 stars
On "My Favourites" shelf
While it seems everything about action movies was seen and done, this time it turns out other way round.
Soderbergh is a genius.
Soderbergh is a genius.
Published 3 months ago by Krystian Glapinski
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