Mikes Film Talk

The 2012 action/thriller Bullet to the Head is a good bit of escapist fun set in New Orleans. Starring Sylvester Stallone it takes tattooing to a different level. It is also quite fun to watch.

I’m still not sure why it got such abysmal reviews. I almost gave Bullet to the Head a miss. It was a very enjoyable film and definitely worth the time it took to watch.

Bullet to the Head BTS and Cast

The film is  directed by Walter Hill is based on Alexis Nolent‘s French graphic novel Du Plomb Dans La Tete. The film stars Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang, Jason Momoa, Sarah Shahi, and Christian Slater. 

The story

In case you’ve never read the French graphic novel. Bullet in the Head focuses on Stallone’s character, James Bonomo. He is a professional hitman for the mob. At the beginning of the film he and his partner are “set up.” They make a hit. Instead of getting paid, their employer decides to kill them. Said employer wants to “tie up any loose ends.”

Bonomo is, understandably, pretty annoyed at this turn of events and he decides to take personal action. Along the way he partners with a Washington D.C. Detective; Taylor Kwon. He has Bonomo’s target in his sights. The two form an uneasy alliance that Kwon, with his anal cop’s mentality, constantly puts in jeopardy.

It works, sort of

Bullet in the Head doesn’t claim to be “highbrow” entertainment. The plot has enough holes in it to qualify as a cheese grater, but dammit, it’s fun. It is a bit of mindless revenge with bucket loads of violence thrown in for good measure.

This is not a “message” film, unless that message is, “set back and enjoy your ride!

Problems

The only real problem I had with the film was it’s reliance on the age issue. Yes, we all know the story of the old bull and the young one. But it is being done to death at the minute.

First you had Reds which featured an entire crew of “old” spies who could still “kick arse” and take names. Then The Last Stand with an “old” cop who does what no one else can. A Good Day to Die Hard; an aging John McClane shows his son that the old ways are the best. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m an “old” guy who’ll hit his 55th birthday this year. But I don’t feel old. Apart from my near fatal brush with death last year from a heart attack, I don’t think I’m going anywhere else. At least not anytime soon. Sure I think that in some cases, older is better. Except in the case of women and if you read my blog, you’ll know where I stand on that issue. But this “formula” is starting (pardon the pun) to get old.

I did get the feeling that this film was an excuse for Stallone to show off his newly ripped muscles. After having put so much work into the second Expendables film he needed to flex. Expendables 1 & 2, by the way, offer more in the way of uncomplicated fun and pure escapism. They leave the age thing behind, for the most part.

It is fun

Bullet to the Head is fun, uncomplicated (there’s that word again) and pure escapism. Pop a bowl of popcorn and grab a coke. Sit back and get a kick out of the mindless action and seeing bad guys get “popped” by the score.

It was good to see Christian Slater in a slightly bigger budget film. He has been working in a lot of low budget ones recently. He still is on my list of favourite actors. I love his voice, so another reason, for me anyway, to see the film is Slater’s cameo role.

The Verdict

Bullet to the Head is a bit of escapist fun set in New Orleans! I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. 4 because there really are a lot of plot-holes! It is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms.

the trailer