Force Of Nature (Mel Gibson, Kate Bosworth)

[tim_p]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Why is Gibson getting third billing behind two also-rans?

The cynical wag in me would say "Because he's now the third?" but I wonder how much screen time he has - more than enough to qualify for an "and" but nowhere near enough to be the lead?

[Markgway]

I hope it's just a guest appearance, because otherwise billing behind Emily and Kate is a bit sad for one of the movie icons of my youth.

[Samus Aran]

Even top billing doesn't mean anything in regard to screen time. Brando got top billing for Superman and Apocalypse Now.

[Markgway]

Exactly. Brando was like 'I'm not taking billing below a dude no one's heard of. If you want my name it goes on top.'

It's always bugged me when big stars start to take billing below also-rans. I call it the "you should have retired instead" phase of their career.

[Chaotic]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

Even top billing doesn't mean anything in regard to screen time. Brando got top billing for Superman and Apocalypse Now.

Yep. Superman himself got 3rd billing

[Dankk]

Originally Posted by Fat Phil

They always do these days. I've taken to only watching the first half of trailers lately - that's enough to tell me if I wanna see it or not.

And i'm in! Looks cheap, but I don't miss anything with Mel.

Same here. I can't bring myself to watch whole trailers anymore, since they pretty much give away the entire movie.

In this case, I saw Mel Gibson sitting in an apartment building before an impending hurricane, and refusing to get out of his recliner while a couple of other characters + a policeman plead with him to do otherwise. That's it, I can stop the trailer right there; I'm already sold.

It seems like Mel Gibson is less concerned with being in big-budget AAA movies, and more concerned with supporting smaller projects that have great writing. For example, I finally got around to watching S. Craig Zahler's "Dragged Across Concrete" the other night, an under-the-radar crime thriller that's clearly low-budget, but has a script made of gold. Not sure if "Force of Nature" will be quite the same, but given that Mel has chosen to star in both of them, it probably means it will be worth watching.

[drak b]

I've got the blu-ray pre-ordered at Amazon, but I recently had the opportunity to see the film in its entirety before my copy arrived.

To answer everyone's first question- Mel Gibson is on screen in the movie for a total time of approximately 18 minutes of the total 91 minute runtime. That's about 16 scenes or scene fragments (ranging from .25 minutes to 3 minutes). He's not the lead, but he is a very prominent supporting actor. His 'retired cop' character is (thankfully!) about what you'd except from him.

I've watched a number of DTV action films and I’ve been let down by almost all of them. Force of Nature is actually a pretty solid action film and it feels like it could have been a B-level theatrical release. It's almost got a 90s action movie feel to it. The story is fairly straight-forward and the dialogue is serviceable. Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth are a little on the bland side as leads, but they’re likable enough.

Basically, if you're a fan of Mel Gibson or in the mood for an enjoyable old school action film, Force of Nature is worth seeing.

[Darrin88]

Saw it last night and thought it was trash. Embarrassing dialog and a regurgitated plot.

[drak b]

First professional review I've seen: https://www.praguereporter.com/home/...orce-of-nature

A suicidal beat cop finds himself pinned down by a gang of art thieves in a Puerto Rico apartment complex during an intense hurricane in Force of Nature, a first-rate (if a little tone-deaf) B-movie thriller livened up by a schticky supporting performance from Mel Gibson.
...
Gibson steals the show with a schticky, tic-laden performance that recalls some of the actor’s best comedic work. Hardly believable as a former cop - he handles his handgun with all the grace of the Three Stooges - Gibson is still an incredibly charismatic star who lights up every scene he’s in; it’s only a shame he isn't in more of them.
...
Despite a low budget, Force of Nature is a compact and effective little thriller that rises above the typical low-budget action movies of its ilk - usually starring a Bruce Willis or Nicolas Cage - thanks to a first-rate presentation and solid performances. And Gibson is a real hoot in support.

Oddly enough, this review site gave Blood Father a lower review score than Force of Nature. I think most people would regard the former as the better film.

[Spartan21]

This movie is so RACIST!!!........(sarcasm)

[dommie]

I have always found Mel Gibson to be one of the most interesting actors around to watch whenever he is on screen. He has that ability to generate some, and raise the level of, interest even in a mediocre film. It's a shame that his personal demons short circuited his career a number of years ago. One has to think what roles he might have been in without those personal incidents that took him off the A list.

With his "sort of" comeback in recent years, more on the directing side of the camera with his harrowing Hacksaw Ridge, I keep hoping that he will land some showcase roles that will allow him to capture his past presence on the screen. He does have a number of current acting projects underway that one hopes will do just that. Having said that, I will give any film he is in half a chance just to see him work on screen, even if he is not the central focus of the story.

[Samus Aran]

Originally Posted by drak b

I've watched a number of DTV action films and I’ve been let down by almost all of them. Force of Nature is actually a pretty solid action film and it feels like it could have been a B-level theatrical release. It's almost got a 90s action movie feel to it. The story is fairly straight-forward and the dialogue is serviceable. Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth are a little on the bland side as leads, but they’re likable enough.

Since studios are making less movies and there are less mid-budget movies getting the greenlight, a lot of known actors have no choice but to make DTV. Bruce Willis doesn't care because he's getting a big paycheck for minimal work. John Travolta does care since he still gets to play leading man in them but holy crap all his DTV work ranges from boring to pathetic. You've even got Pacino, De Niro, Freeman and Hopkins doing them now.

[Dankk]

Originally Posted by drak b

I've watched a number of DTV action films and I’ve been let down by almost all of them. Force of Nature is actually a pretty solid action film and it feels like it could have been a B-level theatrical release. It's almost got a 90s action movie feel to it. The story is fairly straight-forward and the dialogue is serviceable. Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth are a little on the bland side as leads, but they’re likable enough.

You've sold me.

There is a special place in my heart for B-movies. I think they still have a place in this world, and they are a nice escape from the same-y focus-tested and mass-produced AAA dreck that fills up the movie theaters.

[50strat54]

Just saw it and liked it a lot. Good cop/action film. To put this film in context I love cop/action films and didn’t like Bruce Willis’ in the remake of Death Wish. Force of Nature at least engaged me, Death Wish except for a few scenes was boring.

[Joeker]

I didn’t care for it. The only good thing was Gibson.

[brooks101189]

[Show spoiler]I'm glad Shere Khan is still getting work.

That whole subplot isn't as far fetched as it sounds, it's actually happened in real life. Animal Planet's Fatal Attractions

[Show spoiler]the episode title being "A Tiger Loose in Harlem - it's on Prime Video

had a whole episode about it.

[Midnight Max]

I thought this was terrible- there are host of basic logic issues (the kind a 4-year-old would question) sprinkled throughout, the dialogue is weak and the action sequences are uninspired. I'm a Gibson fan (hence the watch), but he hams it up here something fierce- I think he knew what kind of turd he was riding as it swirled down the bowl...

[hockeyshark91]

Originally Posted by brooks101189

[Show spoiler]I'm glad Shere Khan is still getting work.

That whole subplot isn't as far fetched as it sounds, it's actually happened in real life. Animal Planet's Fatal Attractions

[Show spoiler]the episode title being "A Tiger Loose in Harlem - it's on Prime Video

had a whole episode about it.

Interesting. I thought that part of the movie was incredibly silly. Other than that, I really liked it. It's just good, mindless fun. Total popcorn movie. I don't think Bosworth and Hirsch were that bad, but I did enjoy Gibson and Pena's (Cayo) scenes a whole lot more. Good blind buy that has re-watch value for me.

[sxerunner]

So apparently

[Show spoiler]there is a monster or creature in this movie? If so, what is it? Do they show it?

All reviews I’ve seen have been vague about this and it’s so odd that I’m curious about it all.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by sxerunner

So apparently

[Show spoiler]there is a monster or creature in this movie? If so, what is it? Do they show it?

All reviews I’ve seen have been vague about this and it’s so odd that I’m curious about it all.

[Show spoiler]Some kind of big cat. They show it for a second.