Homefront stars Jason Statham, and features a script written by Sylvester Stallone (who adapted Chuck Logan’s novel of the same name). If the concept of Statham starring a movie written by Stallone, doesn’t give you a clear enough picture about what you’re in for with Homefront, then the movie is definitely right for you.
Statham stars as former DEA Agent Phil Broker, who left his job after an undercover job went wrong, causing the brutal death of the son of dangerous biker-gang thug Danny Turrie (Chuck Zito). After this, he tries to start a new life with his daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic) down in Rayville, Louisiana. Between this and the recent passing of Phil’s wife, they can use a fresh start.
One day at her new school, Maddy encounters Teddy, a bully (Austin Craig) who decides to pick on her. Only he didn’t realize she’s the daughter of a former DEA Agent, and is of course, well trained in self-defense. She defends herself mightily, leaving the kid bloodied and on his ass. This doesn’t go well with Teddy’s parents, Cassie (Kate Bosworth) and Jimmy (Marcus Hester). When Phil goes to pick up Maddy from school after the incident, Cassie becomes irite. She sends Jimmy to handle the situation, but of course, he’s instantly manhandled by Phil.
Cassie, a woman far too reliant on meth, isn’t pleased with the results, and resorts to bringing in her dangerous brother, Gator (James Franco) to handle the situation. Gator is the go to guy for meth in the area, and is the right guy for the job, being feared throughout the community. While scouting out Broker’s house in a total creepy fashion, he discovers who he is and gets his hands on secret information that he can use to his advantage to help enhance his meth business. He decides to take things into his own hands, diving well too deep into waters that he has no business being in. The issue goes much further than seeking out an apology for his nephew.
If you’re looking for a simple way to be entertained for two hours, Homefront has got you covered. It doesn’t serve to do much more than that, but what would you really expect from a film written by Sylvester Stallone? Statham is serviceable in the role, which doesn’t require much other than the ability to kick some ass and deliver some one-liners when necessary. He’s certainly got you covered in that department. James Franco is serviceable in the film, although somewhat miscast. It’s a fine performance, but he can do better. Kate Bosworth offers a strong performance, playing a somewhat creepy and grating character who you will actually believe is addicted to the crystal. You also have some decent screen-time from Winona Ryder who was good in her limited minutes. Young Izabela Vidovic shows a great deal of potential with her role showing a lot more range and emotion that Statham did during the entire thing.
Director Gary Fleder keeps things by the numbers and to the expected standard. You’ll see every plot point coming before it hits, because lets face it, you’ve seen it all before. There’s plenty to be desired in the script, which is filled to the brim with typical cliche formulas such a mother dying, forcing a female figure to show up and fill that void. Only they don’t develop these plot points at all, to the point where you don’t know anything about the mother, and don’t really care to. The new female? The film forgets all about her long before its all said and done. I don’t even remember her name. But don’t worry, the huge fist fights and explosions will make you forget about all of the film’s faults.
But anyone checking out Homefront knows what they’re looking for, and I guess it does deliver on some level if you look at it that way. It wasn’t the worst way to kill two hours, but it’s nothing more than that.
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