# Get Carter (2000)

### reviewed by
Berge Garabedian

    GET CARTER
    RATING: 7/10 --> Good movie

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Revenge seems to be a popular motif in films nowadays. Last year, Ashley Judd pulled in over $100 million for her woman out for revenge flick entitled DOUBLE JEOPARDY. 1999 also showcased Steven Soderbergh's nod to revenge in THE LIMEY starring Terrence Stamp, which was about a man lookin' to kick ass in the name of vengeance. And Quentin Tarantino is also rumored to be scripting his next picture about a woman out for revenge. So what's everybody so pissed off about? Not sure but after seeing this movie, I wouldn't want to be caught on the wrong side of Sly Stallone's cranky mood...brrrrr...

PLOT: A professional "financial adjuster" (aka mob enforcer) comes home after hearing of his younger brother's death and questions the drinking and driving story which apparently killed him. The man suspects foul play and goes looking for payback. He kicks a lot of ass, asks a lot of questions and then kicks a little more ass. He also gets to know his late brother's daughter a little better.

CRITIQUE: Although not an action movie as portrayed in the hip trailer, this highly stylized crime film worked for me despite its slow pace and somewhat predictable story line, because of the sharp turn given by Sly Stallone, its groovy tunes and its generally dark and gritty nature. I think that most people who go in expecting a typical Stallone movie, or what the trailer makes the film appear to be (an all-out brawl), will be disappointed. So try to go in with an open mind and think about the film more in the realm of last year's THE LIMEY, about a guy just looking out for his family...and pissed! He goes from place to place, questions people, kicks a little ass when he needs to, and moves on to the next clue. I enjoyed the movie on the basis of style, soundtrack, the cool fight scenes and the 70s style car chases. I also really liked the character that Stallone was playing, a bad guy who despite his badness, wins our hearts because of the supposed good that he's looking to do in honor of his brother's untimely death. Okay, so he won my heart...he might not win yours! One definite problem that the film does have, besides a mystery which to be honest, wasn't all that mysterious in my eyes, is the supporting characters, who ultimately don't add up to much. Miranda Richardson is given second billing but I have no idea why. She is barely in the film. The same could be said for any of the other bit characters, Mickey Rourke, Alan Cumming and John C. McGinley. Small roles which don't really give you much insight.

Rachael Leigh Cook does get in the mix with Stallone a bit, and the chemistry between the two was good, but the bottom line with this movie is Stallone, Stallone, Stallone! If you dig the big lug, you will more than likely enjoy this easy-paced dramatic turn for the puppy-eyed bastard! (Bastard meant in a "good" way here, folks. No letters, please!). I was personally very happy to see Sly up on the big screen again with some solid acting on his part, palpable screen presence and plenty of cool one-liners (And yes, despite most of the one-liners being good, some did fall flat). This film is not for everyone, not sure if Jimmy Jack Corn will appreciate the extreme darkness of the lead character, but if you're looking for a tough, intense, gritty character...don't look any further than this dude, Carter. He simply doesn't f**k around. Stay tuned for a particularly effective scene of him and another guy in the woods...nuff said! So overall, despite the film's predictability and underdeveloped side-characters, the movie's got a lot of style, a great soundtrack, an awesome performance from Stallone as the ultimate man on a mission and boy, does he look great in those suits or what? Anyhoo...not a keeper but definitely one to check out for all Stallone fans. Adriaaaaaaaaannnn!!!

Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: Sylvester Stallone's middle name is Enzio. And yes, he has been MIA since 1997's COPLAND, a film which ironically landed him many an acting praise and only $60,000 in salary. One of Stallone's earliest roles was as the "Subway Tough Guy" in the 1971 Woody Allen comedy BANANAS. He did not have a line in the movie. You may have also heard about his up and coming Formula One movie which is scheduled to come out in 2001 entitled DRIVEN, but did you know that other than starring in the film, Stallone also wrote the screenplay? Of course, Stallone received an Oscar-nomination for writing 1976's ROCKY. Stallone has an autistic son named Seargeo. The man who wrote this film, David McKenna, also wrote one of the best movies of 1998 entitled AMERICAN HISTORY X. This is director Stephen T. Kay's second feature film, his first was 1997's THE LAST TIME I COMMITTED SUICIDE starring Keanu Reeves. Sadly, he also had something to do with the screenplay for last year's THE MOD SQUAD debacle. He's known primarily as an actor with his many stints on TV shows such as "General Hospital", "Party of Five", "Murder, She Wrote" and "Thirtysomething". This film is "based on" the 1971 film GET CARTER starring Michael Caine, and not an exact remake. Caine played Jack Carter in the original and plays the bar owner in this one. Both films are actually based on Ted Lewis' novel entitled "Jack's Return Home".

    Review Date: October 4, 2000
    Director: Stephen T. Kay
    Writer: David McKenna
    Producers: Mark Canton, Neil Canton and Elie Samaha
    Actors: Sylvester Stallone as Jack Carter
    Rachael Leigh Cook
    Mickey Rourke
    Genre: Crime
    Year of Release: 2000
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    (c) 2000 Berge Garabedian

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