A No Brainer

After seeing “Coriolanus”, “The Artist” and “Margin Call” in the last week, my head was aching for something I didn’t need to think about, and with the movie “Haywire” that’s exactly what it is. You can pop your brain out of its leaky bag and place it on the bedside table because you really won’t need it. Predictable, straightforward and action packed with a dubious cameo from Michael Douglas (but it’s great to see him looking great after his health issues) “Haywire” is everything you can imagine to be. Not exactly breaking the mould with the betrayed-agent-on-the-run-gets-revenge story, “Haywire” is about Mallory Kane, a woman who carries out various covert operations for the benefit of the U.S. government, but guess what – she’s betrayed! Shock horror! Then follows the predictable kicking of ass (there is an element of pleasure in seeing Channing Tatum get beaten up) before the eventual redemption at the end.

("God damn you Ewan for refusing to do the sequel to Trainspotting!")

Former kick-boxing champ Gina Carano is a great lead, with strong support from Michael Fassbender (already a contender for my actor of 2012) and Ewan McGregor, this film is easy on the mind and the eyes. In the flurry of Oscar nominations (no “Drive”? no “Shame”?) this is one film that won’t be getting any awards but deserves a watch. Good for a Friday night at the cinema but nothing more. 6.5/10