Death Wish 2018 Satire or Advert? A Review

Death Wish 2018 (Rated R)

Film is very subjective, so I usually try to write reviews that explain what the film is, and try to explain its pros and cons, not to judge, but so you can decide if the film is worth viewing. Honestly, if my first impressions from the trailers had been correct, I would be writing a scathing hate-filled rant of the raping of a classic.

Surprisingly the film could not have been further from what I expected, for some reason the trailers made the film appear to be similar to Die Hard. In tone at the very least, while it would be brutal it appeared the be an action-packed romp, with a serious and realistic tone meshed with Willis's trademark wit. While that is not far off from what the film is, it is actually closer to a fantastic adaptation of Grand Theft Auto with Death Wish as the basis. The film even references GTA 5, in one of its quick-cut montages that are interspersed throughout the film.

Is this original story-telling? No, in fact, it matches the storytelling style of the first RoboCop film. While the main story of revenge is serious in nature, featuring high stakes, tension, and some very brutal violent sequences. It often cuts to the media and society's reactions to the actions of the film. While many thought the film was going to be a glowing endorsement of gun culture, it is closer to an honest look at these ideas, with a comedic and thrilling tone, than an advertisement for Guns and Ammo.

The film is glorifying gun culture and violence in many early scenes, showing Bruce learn how to properly shoot, load and operate a handgun. It is how he learns to do these things that makes the films true stance on the matter clear. While the film is not anti-gun, it is showing how insane the countries obsession with these items are, and how easy it is to find dangerous information online. The film handles these messages with subtlely, allowing a fun B styled revenge flick, but one that tries to address some serious issues, that these films often avoid.

The film, however, has two faults keeping it from properly getting its ideas across to the entire audience. The first issue has more to do with today's audience than anything else, the film is subtle in its satire so that it does not beat you over the head with a social message. One scene involving a shootout in a Club's restroom felt extremely timely. I can not see how anyone could view that scene, and think an armed hero would do more than cause additional harm.

Good art can be viewed as entertainment alone, at least that is how I view good art. Someone should be able to watch a film and be able to largely ignore its message, and still be entertained. Yet, a film dealing with this type of material in today's world is a tricky subject, I felt very nervous writing my Novella, that was a Death Wish inspired tale. I do not think we should stop making crass, loud, or art that shows ideals that are not morally good, or ones that are at least questionable.

When you do this, you provide cathartic entertainment to some who need violent entertainment as a positive outlet, you also create a film that will spark a conversation. You do this by making the film stand in the middle ground, in its story at the very least. It is great to make your opinion on those ideas clear, but it should not impede the story, or be the focus of the story. Rather it should be integrated in a seamless manner, that fits the tone of the film, in this case, a hybrid revenge thriller satire.

While the film is not perfect, it is a great conversation piece and a damn enjoyable revenge thriller. If you love the films of the 70's and 80's, this is right up your alley. It just happens to not only uses satire as a form of comedic relief, but to show you can make these types of films today, with purpose and still make a film that will appeal to those who love genre piece like this.