UK: 28th May 2010
Rated: 12A
Based on the popular comic by Vertigo published between 2003-06 it tells the story of an elite special forces unit sent to Bolivia on a simple search and destroy mission- however this doesn't turn out to be so simple when they find out they've been double crossed by their handler, simply named 'Max'. Now presumed dead they go out to try and clear there name and- again quite simply settle the score with 'Max'
Personally when I watched the trailer, I didn't quite know what to make of 'The Losers.' It looked, all right. But that was it- nothing amazing stood out for me, it had a few giggles, bit of action and nothing much else- but I went with my instinct having watched Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the fantastic 'Watchmen' and took a gamble.
The story is typical and so laughably flawed- the punchlines come in when you expect and the 'carnage' (I use this term loosely) is broken up regularly with dialogue that tries to make itself out to be more important than it actually is. The film as a whole tries to be a bigger film than it probably should be- employing a cast which would have taken up a huge chunk of the modest budget (reportedly $25 million) but the cast needn't have been as A-list as it was. Although the cast as a whole performs well, there is just something missing. It sticks to a formula which is too commonly used, that in some instances it is a chore to watch.
We don't care much for the actual story or the characters and try as I may I couldn't care less if he/she got killed- how many people died in a accident or why they are on a mission in the first place. This is a major drawback and makes the film very unremarkable.
The action throughout the film is pitiful and reportedly the director (Sylvain White) was happy with the 12A (PG-13) it received- but the violent action is what this film desperately needed and I was gravely disappointed in the lack of it. It reminded me in some respects to 'Tropic Thunder' (granted 'Tropic Thunder' was a much better film) in that the general feel and humor of the movie was similar. And for a film that is more often than not a comedy- it takes it self too seriously a little too much. It doesn't have the wit or action that previous films of this style had to carry itself through the 1 hour & 30 minutes. It starts off a very promising film but after about 20 minutes you begin to realise where the film in the end will lead. The big 'bad' boss is such an absurd character- it will probably make most audiences ask for their money back- his attempt at being sinister is comical and you just can't take him seriously- hats off to Zoe Saldana though- she did the best with what she had- and the sexiness got me through the film (I'm sure many males will feel the same way) or for the ladies-Chris Evans who is often cast as the sarcastic- yet handsome male doesn't disappoint.
Despite the criticism however, it does have its odd moments where it is just a fun, dumb movie. I found myself in some scenes laughing out loud at the quips they all generally make to each other, kudos to the jokes- unfortunately however the laughs don't last long enough and we revert back to the negative points listed above. It will appeal to audiences who crave something which is easy to watch and where you don't have to think too much about what is going on. I wasn't expecting a classic but I was expecting a film where I could positively compare it to the likes of 'Tropic Thunder' sadly that wasn't the case. Wait till it is released on DVD or to rent- It is easily forgotten and despite the above points will probably make more money than it was made for (although I feel this is down to the misleading stills currently on the internet)
REVIEW
on the whole: disappointing, flawed and forgettable. Bit more violent than 'Spy Kids', and children will probably lap it up- adults craving a bit more blood and guts will (like me) walk away demanding a refund.
2/5
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