The first trailer for Law Abiding Citizen has hit the intertubes, and we like what we see. What do we see? Well, Gerry Butler transforming from nice, family man to puppet-master and tirade of destruction, mostly. That, and Jamie Foxx looking progressively more fearful of his personal safety. Amid some confusion over the launching of the trailer, you can for the moment see [the trailer for Law Abiding Citizen here.
The F. Gary Gray thriller has had a rocky journey to the screen, first catching our attention as a screenplay from Kurt Wimmer (creator of one of Empire Online’s all–time favourite films in Equilibrium), before the project was handed over to another of our much loved movie makers, Frank Darabont. Sadly he too left the project, and in stepped Gray, to deliver what looks like a nicely nasty chunk of Man On Fire style remorseless revenge –albeit with a twist.
Butler is Clyde Shelton, a seemingly all-round good guy, who sees his family viciously murdered in front of him during a home invasion. The perpetrators are caught and sentenced, but one gets off with a plea bargain, thanks to oily lawyer Nick Rice (Foxx). This doesn’t go down well with Clyde, who progressively reveals his true colours as a very, very dangerous and well-connected man.
Both leads look on fine form, and there’s also a terrific supporting cast to look forward to, in Bruce McGill, Colm Meaney and Michael Gambon.