LOCKOUT - Film Review

When I saw the trailer for this I actually groaned, as it actually contained the line “He’s the best there is… but he’s a loose cannon.” Of COURSE he is, they always bloody are. Mind you, who wants to see an action movie about someone who does exactly what he’s told and no more…

“Lockout” as a film is far, far better than the naff trailer would have you believe. In a nutshell, it’s about a secret service bloke called Snow (Guy Pearce, Home & Away), who is framed and arrested. Up in orbit, there’s a massive prison full of nutters who have a bit of a takeover going on, and Snow is sent up there to rescue a cute girl who just happens to be the President’s daughter. That’s basically it - hunky guy goes into against-the-odds situation to save pretty bit of fluff. Not entirely original, but it’s certainly fun.

The early scenes set on Earth make a good start to the film, and I’d have liked to see more of the cool futuristic society. This isn’t to be, as the prison itself contains 80% or so of the action. Pearce is a very likeable, witty leading man, often grumpy in a very funny way and at home with the action. The damsel in distress is Maggie Grace (Lost), who is also very good, with just the right amount of sass amongst the fear. Even with these two on good form, however, my favourite in the film is Joseph Gilgun (Misfits), who basically channels his Misfits character Rudy into a tattooed Scottish psychopath with a penchant for killing people. Every time he’s  on screen he dominates it, and you constantly want someone to punch his face in, just as long as you never, ever meet someone like him in real life.

It’s all very well made, with decent effects and sets, a good, modern sci-fi thriller that will never be a classic but will certainly keep action fans entertained from the off. There’s really not much more to be said without ruining plot details, but suffice to say Snow only takes the job because he has another reason to be in the prison, and that subplot gives more meat to the main plot that lifts this above simpler actioners.

YouTube trailer:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmAbEgayExs