Movie review: Peppermint
I have an ethical issue with this action thriller.
Nothing against an avenging mother, but when you teach your child never to go around punching bullies, yet serve up your own brand of justice using violence, what does that say about you?
Also, the ease of access to military-grade firearms and the drive-by shooting at a carnival are in bad taste, especially after the recent Jacksonville tragedy.
That said, Peppermint is not a bad film.
It is a delight to see Jennifer Garner back in lethal fighting machine mode after years of starring in romcoms and dramas.
It has been 17 years since she kicked her way into stardom through J. J. Abrams' Alias as super spy Sydney Bristow.
The TV series turned Garner into a bona fide action hero, which led her to the role of assassin Elektra in Daredevil (2003) and the titular 2005 spin-off.
In Peppermint, Garner channels her inner Linda Hamilton a la Terminator 2, complete with white tank top, bulging biceps and menacing firearms.
The opening scene, featuring Garner using a staple gun and duct tape to hold her wounds together, sets the tone for Peppermint. This is a totally no-holds-barred revenge flick.
Much like what Pierre Morel did for Liam Neeson in the Taken series, the French director creates a vehicle for Garner.
The set-up may be incredulous and how the plot unfolds is predictable, but Garner is clearly more than convincing as the one-woman army exacting revenge on a drug cartel and the corrupt legal system.
It may have taken more than a decade to see Garner back on screen kicking ass, but you can bet she won't be taking off her knuckle-duster any time soon.
One can only hope she gets a better script next time.
Rating: 2/5
MOVIE: Peppermint
STARRING: Jennifer Garner, John Gallagher Jr, John Ortiz, Annie Ilonzeh
DIRECTOR: Pierre Morel
THE SKINNY: After learning that the men who killed her husband and daughter were found not guilty, grieving mum Riley (Garner) goes into hiding and trains herself to be a killing machine to serve justice to those who wronged her.
RATING: NC16
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