If you expect something original from the new Bruce Willis movie, let me explain straight away – Bruce Willis in ‘Death Wish’ (2017) is similar to Charles Bronson in ‘Death Wish’ (1974).
That is right. The new movie by Eli Roth (‘Cabin Fever’, ‘Knock Knock’) is a remake of the eponymous motion picture from the 70’s.
The film itself is based on a novel carrying the same name written by Brian Garfield, which is a decent page-turner.
So that is why the title of this article – because ‘Death Wish’ is a story chewed so many times that it became flat and clichéd.
It is nothing new under the sun, given the fact that especially in the past decade, Hollywood comes out with an original script once in a blue moon.
But hey, why is this whole negativity?!
Well, I’m still mourning over after watching ‘The Dark Tower’ and I’m trying to deal with my anger.
Now, let me finally elaborate on the upcoming actioner starring the never aging Bruce Willis.
I will give you some insights about the new action-thriller and hopefully, in the end, you will have an idea of what to expect (and what not to) from it.
Contents
Cast and Crew
The project was first mentioned in 2006 when Sylvester Stallone stated that he is planning to direct the movie and star in the leading role.
After Sly backed up due to creative differences with the production studio, it was announced that Joe Carnahan will direct the action flick with his pal Liam Neeson in the lead.
As already mentioned, ‘Death Wish’ was finally signed to be directed by Eli Roth.
Now, this is a potential drawback since his name is a synonym for a mediocre movie.
If you don’t believe me, just watch ‘Knock Knock’ with Keanu Reeves, ‘Hostel’ (2005) or ‘The Green Inferno’ where his wife Lorenzza Izzo is in the leading role.
To the present day, Eli has made a few movies and they all suck.
That is why in terms of director’s work, it is better to hope for the good and be prepared for the bad.
The script is adapted and written by the veteran Joe Carnahan.
If you haven’t heard this name before, you should know that Joe has a proven record of successful action films behind his back.
Such films are for example ‘The Grey’ (2011) with Liam Neeson and ‘The A-Team’ (2010) starring again Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper.
So we can say that at least the screenplay of ‘Death Wish’ went into the right hands.
The cast is solid and it is led by Bruce Willis in the role of the mild-mannered Paul Kersey.
Vincent D’Onorfio (‘Full Metal Jacket, ‘Men In Black’) plays Frank Kersey and Elisabeth ‘the Body’ Shue is in the role of Paul’s wife Lucy.
The other two known names in the cast are Dean Norris (‘Breaking Bad’) and the comedian Mike Epps (‘Resident Evil: Apocalypse’, ‘Next Friday’).
The Plot
Here comes another drawback and it starts smelling like clichés.
The plot centers on a vigilante story.
In the heart of it lies the good old banal motive of revenge, which unlocks violence.
After his wife is brutally murdered and his daughter is heavily injured by thugs, an ordinary doctor takes justice into his own hands and goes on a killing spree on the city streets, starting to live a double life.
So he becomes ‘The Grim Reaper’.
What To Expect From Bruce Willis In ‘Death Wish’?
Not much.
While I’m hoping that ‘Death Wish’ will live to see mostly positive reviews, I am skeptical about it.
Once again this is because of the fact that Eli Roth was set to direct.
He has directed a dozen movies, most of them actions and horrors, and all of them failed to deliver.
Roth owns a director’s credit for the super successful Tarantino hit ‘Inglorious Basterds’ (2009) but he has directed only one segment of the whole film.
Another disturbing thing is that recently Bruce Willis’s name appeared in the list of the top four good actors who can’t stop shooting bad movies.
The dude is really in a desperate need to do a movie that receives positive reviews, thus revitalizing his career otherwise he will follow the faith of his colleague Nicolas Cage.
So that is why one starts to think that if Bruce Willis is in a movie, then there has to be something wrong with it.
On the other hand though, one has to admit that the trailer looks cool as well as Bruce as the revenge-driven Paul ‘The Grim Reaper’ Kersey.
A violent, vigilante story with some badass action scenes always pleases the audiences.
The other good thing is the cast.
All the actors are solid and with an impressive ‘portfolio’.
Also, the presence of Joe Carnahan as a writer is another advantage, as Joe is celebrated for his work.
Final Words
‘Death Wish’ is set for release in the theaters by MGM studio on 22 November this year.
With a promising trailer, the movie has the potential to be decent enough for an action-thriller, directed by Eli Roth.
If it proves to be a success, I think that most of the credit will go to the cast and the good script.
With blockbusters such as ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Justice League’ coming also this November, it is highly unlikely that ‘Death Wish’ will stand any chance to conquer the box-office.
So let’s hope at least that the crime-actioner will be what everybody is expecting it to be – an entertaining, yet clichéd fun that will revive the classic Bruce Willis.
Bruce is again in his comfort zone, playing the badass action hero so let’s hope that this movie will indeed be what Eli Roth said in a recent interview – his big comeback.
See you at the theater!
What do you expect from the new Bruce Willice movie? Leave a comment below!