BLOOD FATHER (2016)

Genre: Thriller / Action
Running Length: 1:28
Cast:  Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, Michael Parks, William H. Macy
Director: Jean-François Richet
Screenplay; Peter Craig, Andrea Berloff

I can now understand why BLOOD FATHER was made for VOD and has a limited theatrical release in the US and other countries (I watched it in the smallest hall in Berjaya Times Square). Eventhough the critics are praising this movie and has voiced out that it should have been given a proper cinema-wide release, I personally disagree.

To be fair, one thing this B-grade movie has working for it is - the significant presence of Mel Gibson. Without him as the lead, this movie is overall sh*t. His character is believable because he's practically playing himself; a recovering alcoholic with a colourful past prone to be a loose cannon when provoked. It's as though Mel Gibson is using this film to make up for his past sins.

The plot is along the same lines as Taken (in a desert setting) where Gibson's character has to go against a violent gang to save his estranged daughter. The movie gets really good when Gibson gives in to his rage and is willing to go for broke to save her girl. Unfortunately, there are just a handful of such showdowns throughout its lean running time.

There are some nice funny bantering moments between father and daughter but overall, it's just not cinematic enough to resuscitate Gibson's acting career. C'mon Quentin Tarantino, the king of career resurrection, please do something with Mel Gibson already!

Rating: 5.5/10