Give 'Em Hell Malone review

Though I've had it for a while, I finally got around to watching Give 'Em Hell Malone starring Thomas Jane and Ving Rhames. Lately I've been enjoying noir type films and this was touted as being a "neo-noir" film.

Thomas Jane stars as Mallone, a hard to kill gun for hire. He's hired to retrieve a briefcase, which he finds and opens. Something in the briefcase piques his interest and Mallone sets off to find out who hired him and where the case came from.

Along the way Mallone encouters your typical damsel in distress as well as several sinister henchmen, one of whom named Boulder, is expertly played by Ving Rhames. It's probably his coolest performance since Pulp Fiction (not his best, simply the most suave.) Doug Hutchison also guest stars as Matchstick, a pyro who was burned as a child.

There are several good twists thrown in and the acting is quite good. For the most part the dialogue works and the action scenes are very well done. Jane makes a very convincing hard as nails private detective, channeling his Punisher performance with a smidge of Bogart thrown in for good messure. Rhames, as usual, intimidates quite well. There's even an amusing cameo from French Stewart who manages to not be annoying as hell!! I know-I was shocked too!!

There were some negative aspects, however. There are two scenes featuring a character being burned and the cgi involved is pretty shoddy. Also, Doug Hutchins seems to be mimicking Heath Ledger's Joker in both voice and mannerism. This aside, it's a pretty enjoyable movie. My only regret is letting it sit on my shelf this long without viewing it.

Is it a flawless film? No, it isn't. Is it revolutionary and going to change cinema forever? No, it won't. What it is, however, is an entertaining 90 minute romp featuring solid acting, attractive leads, plenty of bloodshed and an interesting story. While it is a departure from my usual horror movie selection, it is a fitting tribute to the noir movies that quite obviously inspired it.

Highlight Scene: The opening gunfight in which Mallone wipes out wave after wave of baddies all by himself. This scene alone rivals half the shoot outs previously seen in Shoot 'Em Up.

Highlight Quote(s): Frankie the Crooner: "Suck my Sinatra!"
                         
                            Boulder:"Next time there's a new guy, tell him to let the big black motherfucker go"
                         
                            Mallone to Evelyn: "Are you a whore?"
                            Evelyn: "What's your cheek tell you?"
                            Mallone: "My cheek?" (Evelyn slaps him across the face)