Vanquish movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Vanquish [Blu-ray]

This movie is currently in theaters and video on demand. It will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on April 27, 2021. To watch the movie on Amazon and save money, click on this link to get a free 30-day trial!

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 36 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

A mother tries to put her dark past as a Russian drug courier behind her, but a retired and crooked cop forces her to do his bidding by holding her sick daughter hostage. Director George Gallo has done some great movies in the past, such as Bad Boys, so this dud was kind of a surprise. In the film industry, it’s called “below-the-line work” and is, surprisingly disappointing.

THINGS I LIKED:

Who doesn’t love Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman? Honestly, I was kind of surprised he took on a role in such a mediocre movie. Unfortunately, he utters lame lines from his wheelchair like, “Get outta there”, “Don’t pass out!”, and “Turn right.” He looks extremely bored during the entire movie. Weird, right? It reminded me of Bruce Willis, who has been seen in several movies recently that are just terrible. Are they both that hard up on cash these days?
I’ve always liked Ruby Rose’s chic, edgy, feminine look, so I wish she hadn’t shaved off all of her hair. This is the first time I’ve really heard her Australian accent. She’s not a great actress, but I still just like watching her. Her motorcycle is cool.
I think the movie poster is pretty dang cool and intriguing. I like that the weapons form a V for “Vanquish”, as well angel wings.
Tension-building soundtrack.
There are some artsy camera shots. (There are also some bad shots.)
Morgan Freeman’s house in the movie is gorgeous.
There’s an unexpected twist.
This is the third time Director George Gallo has worked with Morgan Freeman after 2019 THE POISON ROSE (not very good flick) with John Travolta, and THE COMEBACK TRAIL (silly & fun movie).

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

So many lines are repeated unnecessarily.
Lots of blue and purple color grades. I think the director was trying to go for an artistic look, but it doesn’t quite work.
A lot of the dialogue is terrible.
A lot of the acting is terrible. There are some especially bad southern accents.
These are some of the worst shooting villains ever.
Some bad plastic surgery.
Some of the camera angles and editing are strange.
There is no contrast between good and evil. Everyone has a dirty past…and present.
I kept hearing ring tones, thinking my cell phone was going off.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Bloodied, dead bodies
Lots of violence with gore
Crude language, profanity, and F-bombs
A scene in a club with prostitutes
A glance at an inappropriate image on a TV
Fast-acting cocaine

THEMES:

One thing the movie gets right is the great lengths mothers will go in order to protect their children.
Revenge
Family
Loyalty
Sacrifice
Second Chances

FUNNY LINES:

* “This creepy-a$$ place you have here makes me nauseous and so does you calling me ‘baby’.” – Victoria (Ruby Rose)

“I hear you killed more people than Quentin Tarantino.” – Rayo (Joel Michaely)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Is there any way to come back?” – Damon (Morgan Freeman) “Are you serious?” – Father Thomas (Bill Luckett) “I’m not sure but it feels good to contemplate it.” – Damon (Morgan Freeman)
“Everybody has a price.” Damon (Morgan Freeman)
“What kind of a priest are you?” – Victoria (Ruby Rose) “I stopped being a priest a long time ago.” – Father Thomas (Morgan Freeman)