.co.uk

Despite some interesting moments between Stallone and Rourke, as well as some nice editing, this remake of the 1971 original British gangster flick starring Michael Caine is a pretty drab affair.

Many critics have argued already that this is a result of how routine the storyline is -- Carter (Stallone) is out to avenge his brother's death -- but this is a remake, what else would they expect? Personally, my gripe is with the lack of action.

Stallone threatens on numerous occasions in Get Carter to seriously kick some arse with his tough talking and trademark snarl, but there's never really any follow through. Sure, he throws a few punches and fires a couple of shots (as a man in his business should); however, the film, on the whole, prefers to concentrate on Stallone being a good uncle, as if making the point that his character is rather compassionate and quite sensitive beneath his chiselled surface.

This isn't the fault of Stallone, who depicts the role of Carter well, adding his own unique blend of Rambo machoism. Director Stephen T. Kay and his team of scriptwriters don't appear to have the bottle to transcend the protagonist’s promising taunts into various bouts of violence that we will remember for a very long time. This, of course, is disappointing to all those are used to seeing Sly kick some serious arse.

As far as movies go, Get Carter (2000) is instantly forgettable; and as far as remakes go, it all seems a bit pointless. Best advice is to just stick with the original.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.