​FILMS

son of a gun

Son of a Gun (Drama/Action/Thriller): 72 out of 100: This gritty Australian crime pic has all the ingredients of a Hollywood film in the same genre...prison life, prison escape, heist, double crossing and villains galore. It offers an interesting and at times, exciting depiction to movie lovers who are tired of the Hollywood formula.

The movie starts off with a young man who has been jailed for a minor crime. He soon discovers that to survive unscathed in prison, he would have to resort to conspiring with the prison heavies as a form of protection. Upon release, he sets out to assist in helping these inmates escape from prison and plan a gold theft. From here we are introduced to a multitude of villains. Some of these villains are stereotypes but they add to the fun of the story.

The audience doesn't really get to know the main characters because there isn't too much of a back story provided. We just go with the flow and enjoy the scenes played out. The romance subplot isn't as interesting as the crime scenes but they are necessary to develop the narrative and it plays an important role in the conclusion.

The cinematography is fresh and exciting along with the production design. The music score provides the narrative with a lot of mood and atmosphere. Attention to detail is evident in these areas.

Although a little rough around the edges, "Son of a Gun" is still a very good addition to the Australian film collection. Give this film a fair go and you won't leave the cinema disappointed.

Starring Ewan McGregor and Brenton Thwaites
(108 minutes)
Parental advice: Coarse language, violence and nudity
Additional scene during or after credits: No
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTOBcelRo9M (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Tuesday 14th October, 2014)