Haywire [DVD] [2012]

Imagine yourself being pursued by all manner of for-profit and government assassins. What do you do? Who can you trust? Can you trust anyone? And is it still possible to make this interesting? Mallory Kane (played by Gina Carano) is a former Marine employed by a private contractor to deal with clandestine issues of national security for the United States government. When we first see her she is in a diner in a remote area by herself when, moments later, a former coworker by the name of Aaron (played by Channing Tatum) asks her to come with him back to their employer and assaults her when she refuses. Aaron (Tatum) has the upper-hand until a patron in the diner comes to Mallory’s aid and this allows Mallory to injure and incapacitate Aaron and escape with said patron, Scott (played by Michael Angarano) in his car. Worried this might be her only chance and looking for any help she can get, Mallory recounts the events that resulted in her being on the run to Scott (Angarano) while he mends her injuries from her encounter with Aaron and she drives. Meanwhile, Mallory’s employer and former boyfriend (for lack of a better word) Kenneth (played by Ewan McGregor) is making plans to contain the situation and the inevitable blowback that will result. Though I didn’t know it going in, Carano’s voice was dubbed over in the film. Having heard her voice since seeing the movie, I’m not sure of the motivation. Usually the motive for dubbing is inferior acting, inability to speak the language, or incompatibility between the character and the voice of the actor portraying them. I can only assume that she fell short as an actress but it doesn’t show onscreen. The music chosen by and work of director Steven Soderbergh in addition to the fight scenes are all top-notch. Surprisingly so, as Channing Tatum has not made one film up to this point that I’ve watched without regretting it later. Great movie.

Imagine yourself being pursued by all manner of for-profit and government assassins. What do you do? Who can you trust? Can you trust anyone? And is it still possible to make this interesting? Mallory Kane (played by Gina Carano) is a former Marine employed by a private contractor to deal with clandestine issues of national security for the United States government. When we first see her she is in a diner in a remote area by herself when, moments later, a former coworker by the name of Aaron (played by Channing Tatum) asks her to come with him back to their employer and assaults her when she refuses. Aaron (Tatum) has the upper-hand until a patron in the diner comes to Mallory’s aid and this allows Mallory to injure and incapacitate Aaron and escape with said patron, Scott (played by Michael Angarano) in his car. Worried this might be her only chance and looking for any help she can get, Mallory recounts the events that resulted in her being on the run to Scott (Angarano) while he mends her injuries from her encounter with Aaron and she drives. Meanwhile, Mallory’s employer and former boyfriend (for lack of a better word) Kenneth (played by Ewan McGregor) is making plans to contain the situation and the inevitable blowback that will result. Though I didn’t know it going in, Carano’s voice was dubbed over in the film. Having heard her voice since seeing the movie, I’m not sure of the motivation. Usually the motive for dubbing is inferior acting, inability to speak the language, or incompatibility between the character and the voice of the actor portraying them. I can only assume that she fell short as an actress but it doesn’t show onscreen. The music chosen by and work of director Steven Soderbergh in addition to the fight scenes are all top-notch. Surprisingly so, as Channing Tatum has not made one film up to this point that I’ve watched without regretting it later. Great movie.

We're overdue for a female action star who can hold her own and Gina Carano does just that. Her fight scenes are the heart of this film, which retells the familiar "spy double-crossed by her/his organization" story with a refreshingly realistic screenplay. The fight scenes aren't over-edited jump-cut bits & pieces but are played out so we can see what is happening. And without all the high-decibel sound effects; punches sound like punches and characters act like being hit in the face hurts. When Gina Carano is on screen you can't take your eyes off her. She has room to improve her acting but watching her you can see her character thinking through what is happening. This is a fun, fast-paced thriller that will entertain you. Isn't that what you want in an action flick? As for other negative reviews this film scored 80 on Rotten Tomatoes and that's pretty good.

Opening Scene: A backpacker enters a rural grocery and café in Upstate NY and seats herself. Shortly afterwards Aaron enters and attacks the female backpacker which turns out to be a big mistake. The story then flashbacks to a Barcelona, Spain black-ops caper. It’s a very tricky espionage/spy film that was cleverly written and made to entertain you – it’s old-school espionage in a modern context – and the unspoken word is very shrewdly written as an important component of the realism of the story. The cinematographer was very adept at the use of natural lighting and the use of contrasting bright colors is absolutely brilliant. Gina did all her fight and chase scenes herself and she did not use a stunt double – she is a terrific actress as well as a gifted athlete. Both the Casting & Directorship are very important components of the success of this action film. This is a remarkable spy movie that is sure to hold your attention and most importantly entertain you.

You would have thought that with so many BIG names in this movie, that it should be good. But you would be wrong. Less than halfway through we contemplated shutting if off because it was so bad. After it finished, we wished that we had shut it off. The acting was sub-par and the action sequences were okay. But what made it really difficult to watch this movie was the lack of sound. With no background music, it looked and sounded very cheap. The plot was your typical agent setup by her company and must fight to clear her name and get back at the people that set her up. The fight sequences were okay, but unrealistic. For example; in the beginning the star takes a cup of hot coffee to the face and is perfectly okay, next another person takes a full pot of coffee to the head and is okay. Then one of the actors/actress makes this huge deal about how she can't move her arm and then reaches back behind the seat to drive in reverse.

Don't waste your money or time on this movie is absolutely horrible. First the story line is stupid or dumb, second the main actress her acting is bad really bad,i dun not know why so many good known actors put up for this film because is one of the worst movies I have seen. Totally I regret buying this film after 30 mins of watching it I couldn't wait to get to the end and guess what if the movie was bad the end was even worst. I feel really sorry for (Corona) her first main film and is horrible I don't know if the writer and producer did this on purpose to make a point. The sounds effect was another draw back on this film specially fighting scenes. what actually got me to buy this film was the good advertisement and trailer showing good actions scenes and that's pretty much you will actually see. I really regret buying this film I wish I can get my money back.

Gina Carano’s first lead role really utilized her amazing fitness and fighting abilities. There are many fight scenes where the viewer wonders how many times did they rehearse to avoid being hurt? She is a government agent trying to find out who set her up. Of course, the obvious Hollywood script writing always has the bad guy being a “rogue” government official, rather than a fictional country or criminal organization.

Very good action movie with a good plot line. My wife does not normally like action movies, she loved this one because there was a story involved. At points you start to question who the good guys are and who the bad guys are, but all is reveled in the end. When you hang someone out to dry, it may not be all that easy. Great cast of characters and lots of good action with a purpose.