Wrath of Man (2021)

A mercenary, Green Beret, special forces officer, or similar "professional" seeking retaliation for some wrong - such as murder or kidnapping of a child - has been done... many times, actually. A good storyline will lose its appeal if repeated too many times and will no longer constitute a good movie or hold the audience's attention. However, a change in some of the methods used by the protagonist can possibly make an otherwise good story great. In "Wrath of Man", this did not happen. The reason is not so much because a Jason Stratham movie is on the verge of becoming what Steven Segal is to Steven Segal movies, but because the "new methods" crossed the line. When the line is crossed, the audience should no longer be cheering for the protagonist and the movie is ruined. The two main factors that contributed to my rating of a "2" out of 5 are: (1) Stratham's character "H" was not engaging in retaliation - his behavior was more accurately categorized as "revenge." Retaliation ("just deserts") implies a sense of "an eye for an eye" (reasonable?). Revenge is beyond "getting even" and is unreasonable because the "payback" is considered extreme or disproportionate to the harm done. Losing a child (especially when the death is tragically due to murder) is said to be THE or one of the worst things a parent could be subjected to and have to endure. The "hurt" and pain is unimaginable, but obviously very severe. There may not be any way to "get even", but the emotionally-driven parent might feel his/her perception of retaliation is reasonable when few others, if any, would agree. "H" let his emotions get the better of him. This might be understandable, but explanations are not excuses. (2) "H" uses some of the methods that are traditionally associated with the antagonists - the very same methods the audience perceives as highly unfair, savage-like, and brutal and thereby despises the characters engaging in them. If the protagonist uses such methods, they still cannot be considered "fair" - he is "just as bad" (wrong or evil) as they are. He is no longer a respectable person, and certainly not one to be admired. I think the movie went too with H's behavior. Although vigilante or street justice is not justice (punishment the offender deserves), movies like "Death With" have a protagonist that most of the audience relates to and cheers for to the end. "Wrath of Man" is too much "wrath" and not enough "man" (human being). [It is kind of scary that there are viewers who still think "H" is worth cheering for and maybe someone to idoloze and emulate. "Hello" to school shootings, going postal, mass murders, and an ever-increasing violent society.].

KeyZOid