Directors: The Soska Sisters
Starring: Dean Cain, Paul ‘The Big Show’ Wight, Michael Eklund, Ben Hollingsworth, Adrian Holmes, Kyra Zagorsky, Jonathan Walker
Cert: 18
Running Time: 86 mins approx.
Special Features: The Making Of Vendetta / A Haunted Location / A Big Transformation
If the idea of ex-Superman Dean Cain facing off against star wrestler Paul ‘The Big Show’ Wight within the confines of a maximum security prison is your idea of a fun night in, then Vendetta is the movie for you. Co-produced by WWE Studios, it’s as pacey and wince-inducing as a brisk bout in the ring and has about as much depth as a neon leotard.
Cain plays Mason Danvers, a cop whose failure to put away malevolent man mountain Victor Abbot (Wight) leads to the brutal death of his wife and unborn baby in a revenge attack. Fuelled by grief, he murders Victor’s associates in a desperate bid to get to his nemesis behind bars. Once locked up, Danvers becomes engaged in an almost unbroken stream of non-stop bludgeoning set to a pumping techno soundtrack (by The Newton Brothers), as the institution plays host to a ruthless powerplay and these two enemies get ever closer to the final smackdown.
Though Cain is the lead character, WWE’s finest gets the lion’s share of the DVD cover. And why shouldn’t he, he looks like he could eat one after all. ‘The Big Show’ gives his meaty role a decent stab, and while Wight isn’t going to be putting The Rock out of business anytime soon he is an undeniable presence. The screen giant proves especially good at suggesting Victor’s demonic side, as you might expect from an accomplished showman. Cain on the other hand spends the entire time looking like a furious teddy bear, though that’s not to say he’s bad.
Everything ticks along reasonably well under the direction of Jen and Sylvia Soska, who are better known for horror fare. They apply their own brand of creative brutality to the tale, employing everything from razor blades to rusty plumbing apparatus for maximum effect. They also choose their supporting cast wisely, with Bates Motel‘s Michael Eklund delivering the film’s most entertaining performance as Warden Snyder. Eklund resembles Crispin Glover doing Saul Goodman and his manipulation of Abbot is the closest Vendetta gets to anything interesting. Those after a dust up are amply catered for, with much of the running time given over to ass-whupping. It gets repetitive after a while, and some of the choreography is a bit listless. Apart from that the action is serviceable.
The extras turn out to be better than the main feature, showcasing everything from The Soskas’ taste for the macabre to the spooky stories behind the shoot’s Canadian location.
Could the film have used a less generic title? Yes. Could it have had better lead performances? Yes. But despite being largely unremarkable there are worse ways to while away ninety minutes on a Friday night with beer and pizza at the ready!
Vendetta is out on DVD August 31st
