To be honest going in to this I thought I would come out with the thought of, a predictable crock of American action filled shit. But, surprisingly, I came out thinking what a load of predictable, extremely american, very entertaining action movie. The story is one of its strong points, which really deserves a bigger production and a big hollywood studion behind it. 10 death row convicts are selected to take part in an online show in which they are on an island and have to kill each other and the last one left alive is set free. All the while having bombs strapped to their ankles that go off if tampered with. Oh, and there is a time limit of 30 hours, and if there is more than one person still alive, than off go the bombs. It is quite an inventive sstory concept that I would have thought Hollywood studios would have jumped on. But no, this is produced by WWE (hence Stone Cold as the main star). Yes, they could put abit of money in, but the story deserves better actors and a more confident director shall we say. Another thing that lets this down, is having a whole back-story to Stone Cold's character, it feels unnecessary. Yes, it adds humanity to the story, but it seems to get in the way of the action. Oh the action is the best thing about this movie. It goes at a pace that keeps you up and alert. Every action scene feels like a shot of adrenalin. Its not as good as the action in the likes of Rambo, but it is extremely entertaining to watch. Another good point is the sub-plot of all the producers of the online show, as they are all split dow the middle, othres seeing this as a huge money making scheme, others seeing it as inhuman and evil. Itgives a bit of reality to it and this sub-plot doesn't get in the way of the action like the other one does! Now, what should I say about the cast. The highlight is Vinnie Jones, giing a rough, darkly twisted and funny performance. Stone Cold is, well, blank in a way. The role doesn't ask for any acting from him, just the fighting. The supporting cast are just little fillers and don't really make an impact. This is good action, that makes an entertaining movie, just try and ignore all those little annoying bad points and enjoy!
I'll break it down real easy for you: The Running Man meets Battle Royale, with some OUT OF THIS WORLD Michael Bay-esque cinematography! Oh, and of course the big, bald wrestler is Texan! (I died every single time he opened his mouth to spurt out those ridiculously cheesy lines that were given to him!)
And really, what was with the completely random moral turn of this movie? Personally, I know I'll be glued to the screen when some brilliant fool decides to produce a show like this!
Film plutôt réaliste et d'actualité. Ici on parle de diffuser une émission de réalité sur internet où les 10 individus sur l'ìle doivent s'entretuer pour survivre. Le dernier survivant, à l'intérieur des 30 heures données, recevra la liberté et beaucoup d'argent.
Tout est d'actualité! L'émission de réalité, la diffusion sur internet, le paiement par carte de crédit pour pouvoir avoir accès au site, les cotes d'écoutes, l'argent, violence et tout le reste.
Cela nous amène à nous poser des questions. Jusqu'où sommes nous prêtes à aller pour faire de l'argent, être riche et célèbre?
Not bad for a WWE movie, McMahon releases a few of its entertainment-management techniques in the big screen.
I thought this would be somewhat corny, despite the camera shots in the fight scenes, I still kinda liked this. Wouldnt really have watched this if it wasnt for the interesting combination of Vinnie Jones and Austin anyway.
Plot: An adrenalin-charged action thriller, "The Condemned" tells the story of Jack Conrad, who is awaiting the death penalty in a corrupt Central American prison. He is "purchased" by a wealthy television producer and taken to a desolate island where he must fight to the death against nine other condemned killers from all corners of the world, with freedom going to the sole survivor. The producer films the illegal event, airing the killings live and uncensored onto the internet.
I didn't originally want to watch this - the obvious similaritites with Battle Royale with a cast list that I'd usually avoid - but it was actually quite good.
Plenty of action & blatantly questioning viewers ideas of entertainment on the reality tv debate!
Seen a couple of films in the past with similarities to this (islands and prisoners dumped on them etc) but this had a different twist to it. Worth a watch.
This is what it is. I think you'd already know whether or not you'd like a movie like this. I, personally, do. The action sequences display great panache and make up for a couple of REALLY DUMB plot devices, the most significant of which is Stone Cold's origins. The worst thing about this movie was the ham-fisted way they showed the broadcast going out, as well as the clumsy and utterly blatant commentary of reality TV. All things considered, this movie comes out pretty well. It's no way near as good as Battle Royale, but there you go.
It was pretty ok for an action movie. I really like the mix of the contestants in the so-called game. Steve Austin was watchable compared maybe to John Cena. lol. Some of the scenes were too violent for my taste but I guess anybody who loves that kind of stuff will like this movie.
Battle Roayle got me interested in the idea of a group of people killing each other with one survivor. The Condemned is a very similar idea to that. Instead of 40 students it uses 10 convicts. Starring Steve Austin I wasn't expecting much, but found the movie entertaining. This isn't a movie you watch for the acting, rather the idea and action...and in that area it did it's job. I prefer Battle Royale and it's artistic nature...but this might appeal to more people that are just looking for violence and a movie they don't have to read.
This movie was non stop action. Prob one of the best action movies. The worst of the worlds criminals are to fight to the death on an island for a reality show. only one can come out alive. Streeming this on the internet is a millionaire without any moral concerns. Millions pay to watch this illegal spectacle on the internet. Theres one criminal who is a martial artst and another who is a complete psychopath, there are 10 in all andas the numbers dwinde who will be left alive?
Another 'concept rip-off' (Battle Royale) turned into a mediocre action flick. Vinnie Jones - until he's killed - makes it worthy, kind of. As for the wrestling dude, he's no actor.
A good film, clever concept, i have not seenn a film for a while that my heart race and brain think of how people would get killed. It would have got 5*, but some of the acting lets it down. But still worth a watch...
When Arnold Schwarzenegger became The Running Man, it was a sensational movie based upon a short story by Stephen King of how reality TV is real what the audience want is violence. The Condemned just up the level of violence and brutality ? but fails to deliver a solid action movie with pale 2 dimensional characters, weak plot and a drag with unoriginal story.
10 death row convicts were set free but are forced to participate in an unlicensed illegal reality TV show created by a rich television producer, a show where only one man left standing will be set free for good. But when one of the participates have some other ideas of his own, he has to fight for his life to shut down the show for good.
Steve ?Stone Cold? Austin stars in a much boring action flick that eating your popcorn becomes stale for the entire length of the movie. All the characters that was shown here are so 2 dimensional, and the fight before all 10 convicts is pale able, you will yawn many times. Steve Austin isn?t an actor at all; all you see is a one look facial expression that you can remember throughout the film. Vinnie Jones is not even menacing enough to let the audience know he is the most dangerous of them all. The fight scenes are dull, the violence and the action with the brutality are boring, and the script isn?t interesting. I do know what the movie is trying to convey the message but it?s not enough to even feel sympathetic to anyone. And what?s worst, the flow of movie drags so slow, you wish you didn?t pay for it to watch this movie but rather rent it to laugh it out.
The Condemned is not interesting and action movie fans will seriously make a pass to this film unless there?s nothing to watch, a rent will do just to pass an afternoon boring day. A sadly miss.
The third movie from WWE Films and starring Steve Austin, The Condemned takes bits of The Most Dangerous Game and chunks of The Running Man to deliver a movie that seems more confused about its purpose than anything else.
They pack in the action here and the premise worked okay for me but the scripts mix of brutal violence and attempts at anti-violence social commentary didn't sit well in my stomach - especially in the finale where Vinnie Jones character mercilessly guns down a half-dozen people in cold blood. Plus it runs about 15-20 minutes too long.
The Marine was a more entertaining WWE effort and there are a few things here that I liked, but an identity crisis drags it down into skippable territory. Plus, Austin doesn't make much of a hero and is upstaged at all times by Jones and Robert Mammone (as the jerk TV producer behind it all).
I am a huge fan of the WWE this was a great movie.. Stone Cold is totally awesome. This movie kept me on awake and on my feet wondering what will happen next. Hope he does another movie he's a great actor
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