davidvmcgillivray-24-905811 Review of Retribution

Retribution (2015)

Superlative action adventure from a new Spanish director who is surely Hollywood bound

[10/10 · 12 October 2015]

This is an absolute firecracker of an action movie from Spain, another indicator that the country is producing some of the world's most exciting films right now. Its "madman" plot is reminiscent of "Grand Piano". This time the madman claims he's planted bombs beneath the seats of the car in which a banker (Luis Tosar) is transporting his two young children to school. If the banker fails to transfer a specific amount of cash to the blackmailer's account, or if anyone leaves their seat, the bombs will be activated. As with "Grand Piano" disbelief is suspended because the suspense is racked up with cunning skill every fifteen minutes or so. It's impossible to predict the next diabolical development. Around the halfway mark there's a bravura single take in which the camera prowls around an enormously complicated set-up in a square in A Coruna, a city that may benefit tourist-wise. First time feature director Dani de la Torre does a flawless job and as sure as eggs are eggs he will go to Hollywood. But will he direct the English language re-make, which is surely in pre-production? Ten out of ten for an action movie because there's more going on here than just car chases: the "hero" is a banker who has promoted worthless investments. The "madman" is one of his victims. During the devastating finale, our sympathies are divided. Sensational performances from all concerned but Paula del Rio stands out as the banker's daughter.