★★★✰✰
On the surface, Out of Death seems to hold every action movie cliche in the book. A soon-to-be retired cop finds himself on a mission for justice against a corrupt authority, in a fight that’s about ‘more than family.’ But for Bruce Willis’ latest adventure, there is far more to this picture than meets the eye.
From the producers of The Irishman and directed by Mike Burns, Out Of Death is a fast-paced action thriller in which a photojournalist stumbles upon the criminal operation of a crooked sheriff’s department. Now a target of the venal police force, Shannon (Jaime King) must seek the help of city cop Uncle Jack (Bruce Willis) in a battle of courage and deception.
The film is set in the hills of a solitary mountain town and features an impressive original musical score. Atmospheric guitar and banjo riffs match the solemn location, making for a viewing experience steeped in suspense. As to be expected with movies of this nature, Out Of Death houses several brutal action scenes—it’s not recommended for those who feel faint at the sight of blood. And within the high-quality special effects on show during fight sequences, the close-up camerawork captures characters’ emotions in superb fashion. Additionally, the frequency of shootouts coupled with a grey saturation colour scheme gives the film a raw, organic feel, like a stylistic blend of traditional Westerns and The Walking Dead.
Amongst a talented cast, the standout performance must go to Michael Sirow, who takes on the role of the villainous Sheriff Hank Rivers with expert precision. Rivers is head of the corrupt police operation, with the added political incentive of running for mayor, willing to achieve his goal at all costs. While in essence a relatively stereotypical ‘bad guy,’ this factor is quickly forgotten as Sirow displays a calm, stoic ruthlessness throughout.
By contrast the character of Uncle Jack feels strangely lacking of depth or detail. You learn quite early on that Jack has lost his wife of many decades only weeks earlier, and therefore has come to his mountain cabin in a state of grieving, although this is never fully expanded upon. Furthering this narrative would have provided more justification for his eventual helping of Shannon, as opposed to simply having vague references to depression and loss throughout the film.
For someone of Willis’ star power, the role of Uncle Jack is surprisingly peripheral within the movie. Far more screen time is afforded to King, whose character has multiple story arcs, such as being a truth-seeking journalist and wanting to prove her deceased father’s perception of her as a “quitter” wrong.
Jack also seems to disappear without much explanation for large portions of the film, making it difficult for viewers to connect with the character. While Willis’ lessened role is understandable in this regard, it is certainly a far cry from the Die Hard star’s past front-and-centre endeavours.
Lack of character development aside, the acting display from Willis is still top draw. The action icon fully lives up to his reputation, clashing with the villainous police force in gripping fight scenes. Willis’ tenacity compliments the equally impressive performance of Jaime King, resulting in an exciting yet believable on-screen duo.
Verdict
As action movies go, Out Of Death will definitely please fans of the genre with its suspenseful atmosphere and visceral intensity. This is especially true for those who prefer a more organic product, instead of the mass CGI commonly found in Hollywood blockbusters. A combination of succinct plotlines and proficient cast performances make for a very watchable thriller.
Out of Death is available to rent now.
Words by Tom Carter
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Thank you for the kind review. We all worked really hard on it and Im glad that you watched the film with an open mind and heart. It’s great to see a review about the film that gets what we were going for.