Redbelt

Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Although the movie markets like an action or thriller, it's actually more of a character study. There's not a ton of fighting. The action is good, but it's not stylized and all tricked out, as that's not what the film's really about.

The movie starts out a little hectically. There's a lot being introduced in a manner you may not entirely understand. But it pulls together well, and fairly quickly. The characters are easily understood and the main character is a good man. I mean, truly, a good man. Most main characters are decent guys who do good things, but Redbelt gives you a character that is fully realized and rounded and present.

There's a few missteps. Beyond the main character, most of the other people in the film aren't really that fully developed, just sort of, surface personalities. The movie also asks you to accept a lot of conspiracy without ever really giving you a reason why. If they just wanted to take his idea, why didn't they just take it? Especially, before he met a lawyer. The ending is a little strange. Fitting, perhaps, but doesn't really clear anything up. And I still don't know why she slaps him.

But overall, a very nice film. Sweeping but understated, and a little heartbreaking (for an action film). Ultimately, like a half-frosted cake, it could have used a little more of what it already had.


Still, 4/5.