Friday, January 17, 2014

2013 #16: PAIN & GAIN

Pain & Gain
This is Michael Bay's best film. In fact, it's his only "film," as he's made a career out of making "movies." And that's fine. He's at the top of the class when it comes to "blowing shit up and making it look pretty." But, with Pain & Gain, Bay proved that he actually DOES have a knack for a realistic story, interesting characters, accurate pacing, and smart dialogue. All ...three lead performances (Wahlberg, The Rock, Anthony Mackie) are fantastically gross, and while the movie revels in nastiness and a foul-idealized version of the American dream, Bay finds a way to make it all palatable. Late in the game Ed Harris arrives and steals the show. As always, Bay's super saturated visual sheen soothes and excites. 

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