VOD film review: Homefront
Review Overview
Story
5Action
7Statham
6James Butlin | On 15, Apr 2014
Director: Gary Fleder
Cast: Jason Statham, James Franco
Certificate: 15
Watch Homefront online in the UK: Amazon Prime / TalkTalk TV / Apple TV (iTunes) / Prime Video (Buy/Rent) / Rakuten TV / Google Play / Sky Store
In this Sylvester Stallone-penned action film, Jason Statham plays an undercover cop fresh from his last job ready to embark on a new life with his daughter. Unfortunately, when a scuffle between his daughter and one of the locals’ sons breaks out at school, it sets the rednecks on edge and puts in motion a feud, from which there’s only going to emerge one winner.
There’s a touch of Rambo: First Blood to the story – the mysterious outsider wanting an easy time in a quiet, suspicious town isn’t an original idea – but when done well, it’s a strong plot device. Stallone’s script does do it well, easily setting up any punching, kicking and exploding that is yet to come.
James Franco is the star of the show here, as the drug-dealing king of the rednecks. He’s the man people go to when they want something doing and keeps everyone in line by making sure they’re high on his supply. In short, he’s not very nice, and Franco looks like he’s having the time of his life playing the villain.
Jason Statham, meanwhile, is Jason Statham, and you know exactly what to expect. The result is menial labour for all involved. The film takes too long to get the blood pumping, when it should be a short, sharp blast of excitement. But when it gets to the action, Homefront is quite a fun romp.
Homefront is available to watch online on Amazon Prime Video as part of a Prime membership or a £5.99 monthly subscription.