Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

Let me pull one more thread from the archives for us. 😁

What are your thoughts on the protagonist's moral compass? Are his actions truly justified?

Donna Williams4 said:Let me pull one more thread from the archives for us. 😁

What are your thoughts on the protagonist's moral compass? Are his actions truly justified?

If we're talking pure ethics, his actions aren't justifiable. He killed people, and that's just wrong, period.
But if you look at how things actually went down in his life—his rage, the way he reacted—it makes total sense. It's logical.😉

I couldn't agree more. His actions were somewhat predictable, sure, but that doesn't make them any less inexcusable.

Just imagine how chaotic the world would be if everyone decided to blow everything up every time they felt they’d been treated unfairly.

That final scene really forces you to question everything—you see this guy who, just a few years ago, was a genuinely good man with a happy family, clutching a bracelet his daughter made for him, right before he gets consumed by the very flames he ignited himself.

Then there’s the following sequence with the lawyer—he’s there with his whole family, watching his daughter play or whatever it is she's doing—and it feels like the film is somewhat justifying Clyde's actions, doesn't it? It’s all about what he once possessed and subsequently lost. 🤷

I get where you're coming from.
But honestly, there's just no excuse for that kind of vendetta.
It's like Zekoslav said:
"What would the world even look like if everyone started blowing stuff up every time they felt wronged?"
It's a real shame that since that movie, Gerard Butler hasn't really landed anything else worth watching.

ironraven45 said:I get where you're coming from.
But honestly, there's just no excuse for that kind of vendetta.
It's like Zekoslav said:
"What would the world even look like if everyone started blowing stuff up every time they felt wronged?"
It's a real shame that since that movie, Gerard Butler hasn't really landed anything else worth watching.

Spot on.

That movie is a tough watch—honestly, a total disaster. I’m talking about "Breaking Citizen."

Austin Alvarez62 said:That movie is a tough watch—honestly, a total disaster. I’m talking about "Breaking Citizen."

The last half hour basically nukes everything good about the movie. Up until then, though? It's actually solid.
So, what makes it such garbage to you?

Austin Alvarez62 said:That movie is a tough watch—honestly, a total disaster. I’m talking about "Breaking Citizen."

It is actually Abiding. Not Breaking.

ironraven45 said:The last half hour basically nukes everything good about the movie. Up until then, though? It's actually solid.
So, what makes it such garbage to you?

Donna Williams4 said:It is actually Abiding. Not Breaking.

Abiding vs. Breaking—it’s all the same thing, isn't it? 😉

Why? Is that really the question we're starting with?

It’s just bad. Unconvincing, naive—honestly, if it weren't for the star power, nobody would even be talking about it. It teeters right on that line of being a total B-movie?
Because the acting is always so over the top—especially with Gerard Butler—and honestly, I can't even wrap my head around Fox News.
Because the plot was predictable from the jump—and the ending was, to put it mildly, idiotic?
Because Gray is a terrible director who’ll never actually make a decent film—ever.

Austin Alvarez62 said:Abiding vs. Breaking—it’s all the same thing, isn't it? 😉

Why? Is that really the question we're starting with?

It’s just bad. Unconvincing, naive—honestly, if it weren't for the star power, nobody would even be talking about it. It teeters right on that line of being a total B-movie?
Because the acting is always so over the top—especially with Gerard Butler—and honestly, I can't even wrap my head around Fox News.
Because the plot was predictable from the jump—and the ending was, to put it mildly, idiotic?
Because Gray is a terrible director who’ll never actually make a decent film—ever.

Now that's what I call a take. Clear points, not just some vague "I don't like this" nonsense.😉

Austin Alvarez62 said:Abiding vs. Breaking—it’s all the same thing, isn't it? 😉

Why? Is that really the question we're starting with?

It’s just bad. Unconvincing, naive—honestly, if it weren't for the star power, nobody would even be talking about it. It teeters right on that line of being a total B-movie?
Because the acting is always so over the top—especially with Gerard Butler—and honestly, I can't even wrap my head around Fox News.
Because the plot was predictable from the jump—and the ending was, to put it mildly, idiotic?
Because Gray is a terrible director who’ll never actually make a decent film—ever.

quite the opposite, my friend 🙂

The movie was alright, I suppose, but nothing particularly special. Fox News might be loud, but the lead actor is just too overpowering; he basically strolls into a prison and nobody even notices him. 👎

Six out of ten.

By the way, Gray has already directed a decent film. It’s called Friday.

Austin Alvarez62 said:Abiding vs. Breaking—it’s all the same thing, isn't it? 😉

Why? Is that really the question we're starting with?

It’s just bad. Unconvincing, naive—honestly, if it weren't for the star power, nobody would even be talking about it. It teeters right on that line of being a total B-movie?
Because the acting is always so over the top—especially with Gerard Butler—and honestly, I can't even wrap my head around Fox News.
Because the plot was predictable from the jump—and the ending was, to put it mildly, idiotic?
Because Gray is a terrible director who’ll never actually make a decent film—ever.

Now, I have to disagree—The Italian Job was actually quite entertaining. While it might not be a masterpiece of cinematic quality, I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed myself during those 111 minutes.😁

I think this movie is alright. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece—it’s definitely got its fair share of naive moments—but if you just want something fun to watch, it hits the mark enough.

Honestly, I’m at my best when Gerard Butler just gets naked.😍

goldenhound32 said:quite the opposite, my friend 🙂

The movie was alright, I suppose, but nothing particularly special. Fox News might be loud, but the lead actor is just too overpowering; he basically strolls into a prison and nobody even notices him. 👎

Six out of ten.

By the way, Gray has already directed a decent film. It’s called Friday.

Just an incredibly shallow, mindless, politically correct comedy. This movie is absolute garbage—really. Even if Jay-Z were watching, I doubt he'd find it even remotely funny.

And let me be blunt; I have no idea how someone who appreciates the work of Bergman can claim a Freud movie is actually good.

What an absolute rollercoaster of a movie! Now, don't get me wrong—I am a massive sucker for a good revenge flick, I really am. There’s just something about that gritty satisfaction of seeing justice served that gets my heart racing. But honestly? All that heavy-handed James Bond style action felt a little out of place to me. It was just constant explosions and those pseudo-intellectual plot twists that felt like they were trying way too hard to be clever. I went into this expecting something much more atmospheric—you know, a moody, slow-burn crime drama that really sits heavy on your chest, maybe something reminiscent of a classic noir or even a deep psychological dive into a character's psyche, similar to how Freud might analyze a breakdown. I wanted grit, not glitter! Oh, I absolutely love revisiting the classics, and speaking of movies that really stick with you, I was just thinking about Death Sentence from 2007! It’s one of those gritty, intense thrillers that really grabs you by the collar from the very first scene. You have Gerard Butler delivering such a powerhouse performance—he has this incredible way of portraying raw, unfiltered emotion that makes you feel every bit of his character's desperation and rage. It’s such a heavy, thought-provoking story about justice and how far a person might go when they feel like the system has completely failed them. I remember watching it for the first time on a rainy Friday night in Chicago, curled up with a huge bowl of popcorn, and I was just totally mesmerized by the tension. Even though it deals with some pretty dark themes, there's something so compelling about the momentum of the plot. If you haven't seen it in a while, or if you've never experienced it at all, I highly recommend giving it a watch—it’s a total ride! And then, to top it all off, I ended up getting handed this sugary little concoction! Honestly, you couldn't make this stuff up—it was like they were trying to give me a massive sugar rush right when I least needed it.

I was just sitting here thinking back to 1998, and I honestly can't help but get a little misty-eyed over *The Negotiator*. You know, there’s just something about that era of filmmaking that felt so much more substantial, wasn't there? I remember watching this one on a rainy Saturday afternoon—probably curled up with a huge bowl of popcorn—and I was absolutely hooked from the very first scene. It’s such a masterclass in tension! You have Gerard Butler delivering this incredibly grounded performance, and the way the plot unfolds is just brilliant. It isn't just your typical high-stakes action flick; it has this deep, psychological layer that really pulls you in. I remember discussing it once with Justin Rogers5, and we both agreed that the pacing is absolutely perfect. It doesn't rush you, but it never lets you settle, either. The dynamic between the characters feels so authentic, too. It makes you think about those split-second decisions people have to make when everything is spiraling out of control. Every time I revisit it, I find some tiny detail or a bit of dialogue I missed before. It’s one of those rare gems that stays with you long after the credits roll. Truly a classic! Honestly, I still find myself coming back to the idea that F. Gary Gray has directed my absolute favorite film! There’s just something about his style that hits differently every single time you watch it.

The movie is great... the plot and the revenge arc are spot on... but
one thing really let me down. I was honestly disappointed they couldn't come up with anything better than him just walking out of a tunnel and heading straight back into prison... it felt way too cliché.
It completely killed the momentum for me right at that point. After such a powerful opening, I was expecting something much more intense...

Most people just hated on the ending, which totally ruined the movie for them😉

ironraven45 said:Most people just hated on the ending, which totally ruined the movie for them😉

How exactly would you have wrapped it up differently?