Critique: Film> Reviews.

Despite some interesting moments between Stallone and Rourke, as well as some nice editing, this remake of the 1971 British gangster 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 all 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 to say the character is really quite compassionate and 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. The whole film just feels as if it hasn't got the bottle to transcend its promising taunts into 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. I'd advise you to stick with the original.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.