Law Abiding Citizen: A Casual Review

"What would you do if you had ten years"

Have you ever had so much revenge and bitterness swelling up inside you, that you could hardly contain it?
"Law Abiding Citizen" was released on October 16, 2009 under the direction F. Gary Gray. If you are unfamiliar with Gray, he also directed a classic heist movie, "The Italian Job"(2006). This movie stars, Gerald Butler(Shelton) and Jamie Foxx(Rice) Before we delve into the summary and so forth, lets take a glimpse into the incredible actors and their careers. Gerald Butler has played in big hits such as "Ugly Truth", "300", and "Phantom of the Opera". Jamie Fox has starred in "Collateral" with Tom Cruise and "Ray", and "Miami Vice", just to name a few. These men have both played diverse roles, whether it be a hilarious comedy or a suspense thriller.
"Law Abiding Citizen" is a movie about revenge, the attempt to redeem what has been taken. In the opening scenes, the most precious treasure in Shelton's life was taken from him, his wife and daughter. He immediately goes to the "system" to receive his due justice, but nothing can be done. The one who had brutally murdered his daughter has been set free due to a plea bargain. So what does he do? He decides to do what no normal man would do; he goes against the seemingly unjust system and takes things into his own hands. He not only targets the one who killed his family, but also everyone involved in his family's case. So what does he do to enact his revenge. Well, if I leaked that information out the movie would be ruined. So, you will have to see for yourself!
I love this movie for several reasons. But before I share those reasons, I am going to share a reason why some viewers do not like this movie. And that is due to the fact that some of the stunts Shelton pulls to carry out his revenge seem implausible and unrealistic. To this response, I point back to the title I used to illustrate my review: "What would you do if you had ten years?" Shelton had ten years to plot and devise methods to get back at those who had taken away what was most dearest to him. Even so, realism was probably not Gray's goal in this movie; but instead to show what happens inside a man's heart when he looses something as precious as his family.
So, why is movie incredible? I love the actors Gray chose to star in this movie. The chemistry between Foxx and Butler is, to say the least, is brilliantly amazing! They played their roles with emotion and power. I had no problem understanding what Butler was trying to convey in his role. And Foxx did a remarkable job portraying the know-it-all detective who wanted the easy way out.
This movie is one of those movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat, because you are constantly wondering how Shelton is able to pull off his revenge in prison. Not only are they seemingly implausible, but He is in prison? How is a locked up man able to make such irrevocable chaos in such short amount of time?
What are your thoughts? Did you like the movie? What could have made the movie a better success? Please share!