Hey Toronto film fans, ready to get your butt kicked? (Figuratively speaking, of course.)
Thankfully the protagonist in this movie is a female. Otherwise Haywire (Alliance Films) would be a complete power snore, an all-too-familiar action thriller that relies heavily on perilous chase scenes to carry a minimal story forward. Casting mixed martial arts champion Gina Carano as covert ops specialist Mallory Kane was a stroke of genius and turns this film into a brief but captivating thrill ride.
Beyond its chase movie underpinnings, Haywire is an espionage thriller in which the lines are blurred between good spy/bad spy. Kane is a highly trained operative working for an independent security firm under contract to the U.S. government. Beautiful and cunning she can easily over-power any man, either through seduction or brute force – a fact not overlooked by her boss and former lover Kenneth (Ewan McGregor).
The audience quickly learns that Kane is on the run. Suspense builds as questions arise about who is after her and why. Good guys? Bad guys? Who is who? The chase becomes all consuming. Yet Kane seems invincible. No one can stop her.
Haywire is generally fast paced, at time riveting, but at times boring as the chase slows to a walking pace. Some scenes provide breathing space between action sequences. Unfortunately they are too long in duration and spoil the film’s pacing.
Carano’s skills as a fighter are showcased early and often. They are what make this movie worth watching. The hand-to-hand combat is authentic, the fights orchestrated without wires, visual effects or tricks. What you see is what you get.
Plot is minimal. There’s just enough story to hold the action sequences together and provide the potent supporting cast members reason to flex their acting muscles. In addition to Ewan McGregor, the A-list cast includes Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton and Channing Tatum (all handsome men, hmm.)
Director Steven Soderbergh, a master of fast-paced, multiple storyline, ensemble movies, is a self-confessed fan of early Bond films. Given his talent for suspenseful storytelling, Haywire has all the appearances of a James Bond movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Gals may be impressed by Carano’s kickass capabilities and dominance over men but overall, Haywire is a guy’s movie. My recommendation: See it. If you are a serious fan of Bond films or Mission Impossible style action thrillers then consider Haywire a worthy selection for theatrical viewing, particularly as a refreshing choice for date night. Otherwise, wait for its DVD release. (For Toronto theatres and show times click here.)
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See you at the movies.
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