John Michael McDonagh's 'War On Everyone' is great disappointment after 'The Guard' and 'Calvary'.
There's a line early in the script, as two toked-up minor villains peruse a porno, where they complain that the medium has eschewed action for plot: "Without a good script, you ain't got nothing!' This film HAS a good script...or a least the makings of one, and the occasional sizzling one-liner...but it's nowhere near as smart or sassy as it clearly thinks it is.
It's let down woefully by leaden plotting, unlikable characters and very little chemistry between the leading players. Michael Peña's coarsely erudite character is excellent with his screen spouse, Stephanie Sigman - and the film wold have benefited greatly by more of their repartee - but there's no such spark between him and Alexander Skarsgård.
Serial mumbler Caleb Landry Jones minces his way through what COULD have been a memorable role as the main villain's camp henchman - the script seemingly required to mention that his character is American at every opportunity: just as well, you'd never have known, otherwise.
Also, sadly, when the thin plot becomes just too threadbare, the easy Boom-Boom, Bang-Bang option is deployed, too easily and too frequently - in fulfilment of the earlier Porno Prophesy, it seems. Tessa Thompson is beguiling and tries very hard to make the best of a bad job, and is the only redeeming feature of this tired mess.
There's a line early in the script, as two toked-up minor villains peruse a porno, where they complain that the medium has eschewed action for plot: "Without a good script, you ain't got nothing!' This film HAS a good script...or a least the makings of one, and the occasional sizzling one-liner...but it's nowhere near as smart or sassy as it clearly thinks it is.
It's let down woefully by leaden plotting, unlikable characters and very little chemistry between the leading players. Michael Peña's coarsely erudite character is excellent with his screen spouse, Stephanie Sigman - and the film wold have benefited greatly by more of their repartee - but there's no such spark between him and Alexander Skarsgård.
Serial mumbler Caleb Landry Jones minces his way through what COULD have been a memorable role as the main villain's camp henchman - the script seemingly required to mention that his character is American at every opportunity: just as well, you'd never have known, otherwise.
Also, sadly, when the thin plot becomes just too threadbare, the easy Boom-Boom, Bang-Bang option is deployed, too easily and too frequently - in fulfilment of the earlier Porno Prophesy, it seems. Tessa Thompson is beguiling and tries very hard to make the best of a bad job, and is the only redeeming feature of this tired mess.