Too much carnage can’t deliver here.
“Havoc” is the new made-for-Netflix action thriller made by Gareth Evans, the same man who gave us the “Raid” movies. Those films were fun in the sense of guns and bullets firing and how the international genre was able to appease even American movie-goers. But I feel his latest addition is a result of indulgence, as in almost every scene, bullets have to be fired, throats have to be slit, and people have to yell.
I was more exhausted than absorbed into its story, which includes bruised detectives, good cops, bad cops, drug dealers, shady politicians, and the offspring of bad people. And the cast is led by the likes of Tom Hardy (who also produces), Jessie Mei Li (“Last Night in Soho,” “Shadow and Bone”), Timothy Olyphant, and Forrest Whitaker, who fit their parts very well. If only the screenplay gave them credit where credit’s due.
The setting looks like Gotham City spiked with Detroit violence and Evans’ direction. Meaning: it’s a crime waved city that loves violence. Read Roger Ebert’s review of “Mad Dog Time,” and acknowledge how he felt its choice of shooting was repetitive. All I know about this city is that it’s nameless and dark. I guess “Havoc” assumes the most entertaining crime films of its kind are set in the dark. And watching this on my computer, I can’t see everything that happens. Maybe I was watching this in the daytime, but I’m too ODed in the mayhem to see again.
The bruised detective is Walker (Hardy), who is also a dirty cop enlisted by the mayoral candidate Lawrence Beaumont (Whitaker) to track down his estranged, criminal son Charlie (Justin Cornwell). He’s accused of murdering Tsui (Jeremy Ang Jones), the son of crime boss Ching (Sunny Pang), during a drug deal gone bad. And in the mix, we have a bunch of other dirty cops led by Vincent (Olyphant), who is obviously more evil than Walker is. At least the central character has his regrets.
When I’m not watching and being indifferent from all the firing bullets and nonstop fights, I’m seeing some professionalism in the actors who can blend with their characters’ personalities and convictions. If the screenplay wasn’t so indulged in the success of “The Raid,” then there should have been a stronger character development within. Hardy and Whitaker are the ones who stand out the most, especially their one scene together. And I admire Mei Li, who plays the only good cop Walker knows and trades lines with.
It’s a shame that I got exhausted with all the carnage, because they are wisely directed by Evans and photographed by Matt Flannery. I guess that’s what the director specializes coming on the heels of his previous films. If David Ayer (who just directed “A Working Man”) directed this movie, these killers would probably be in costumes and the characters would be less interesting. He was indulged by the success of “Suicide Squad,” and now, Evans is in this unfortunate trend. There have been times when filmmakers have found great success, but at least, they know the difference between entertainment and indulgence.
You want a better action movie that isn’t indulged in the violence, then go see “The Accountant 2” in a movie theater. Now, that film is smarter and more consistent.
Streaming on Netflix Tomorrow
