Setup(2011) || Feels Like A Low-budget Crime Drama

I thought so highly of this film before watching it considering its strong cast. Imagine having 50 Cent, Bruce Wills and Ryan Phillippe in one film. I mean with its kind of plot that is centered around betrayal, revenge and stolen diamonds, it’s supposed to be a blockbuster but all I could say in the end was “sighs. They only aimed but couldn’t hit the bullseye”.

Synopsis

The movie follows a group of friends; Sonny (50 Cent), Vincent (Ryan Phillippe), and Dave (Brett Granstaff) who plan a diamond heist. Their seemingly perfect plan takes a deadly turn when Vincent betrays them, killing Dave and leaving Sonny for dead. Surviving the double-cross, Sonny sets out for revenge by navigating the dangerous world of crime while also crossing paths with powerful mob boss Biggs (Bruce Willis).

My Thoughts?

Directed by Mike Gunther, this movie has the perfect ingredient for a solid action thriller film but makes a mess of those ingredients therefore ruining the broth in a way. To me it feels like a low budget crime drama rather than a gripping thriller which I expected it to be because why the heck does 50 Cent have the brutal look but when he opens his mouth to speak he sounds all innocent and weak? While the premise of a heist gone wrong followed by a revenge mission is a classic setup for action films, this particular one lacks originality and strong character development.

Still on 50 Cent’s character, honestly, his performance as Sonny was subdued. His presence gave good credibility but his emotional range was annoyingly limited. In other words, I couldn’t fully connect with his character's pain and rage. Ryan Phillippe, on the other hand, plays a serviceable but very forgettable villain. A villain with no body guard, walking around in broad daylight, knowing fully well that he’s being tailed is wild. Bruce Willis, despite being a big name in the cast, has very little screen time and seems uninterested in the role. His jokes while dealing with his victims came off as dry or maybe I just forgot to laugh. Anyway, at this point it’s okay to infer that his presence was prolly a marketing move than a crucial part of the story.

The pacing of this film also drags at times. For a movie that should be driven by tension and excitement, this one feels sluggish and preferable. I don’t know who wrote the script and gave it to these peeps. We have tough guy lines that don’t even add much to the characters' personalities. Aargh! What could have been a clever crime thriller instead turns into a generic revenge flick. Bs.

Well, if you're a fan of straightforward action film, you might find this one mildly entertaining. For me, it lacks the gripping tension and emotional depth needed to stand out in the genre.

Rating? Ha, definitely a 2.5/5

It is watchable but forgettable.