"The Prince" is a deceptive film. It had an intriguing title and well-known actors in its cast. It looked like it would be a solid action film. As the film began, the opening credits looked very good as well and smartly conceptualized. Unfortunately, these did not deliver on their promise.
Paul (Jason Patric) loses contact with his daughter Beth while was in college. It appears she had fallen into bad company and was heavy into the drugs habit. Paul just so happened to be a former topnotch assassin with incredible skills to kill. While on his mission to rescue Beth, Paul single-handedly routs the entire drug organization of New Orleans, which turned out to be led by Omar (Bruce Willis), a man with a major score to settle with Paul.
The action sequences in this film were so basic, with nary any imagination put into them. They had little to no intensity nor excitement, since the protagonist just was conveniently too perfectly superhuman or lucky.
So if the success of this film all depended on the charisma of the protagonist, then Jason Patric simply does not have it. In fact, he never had "IT" throughout his career. He was already in lead roles back in the 1990s (albeit in unfortunate films like "Speed 2: Cruise Control") but he never did catch on as a major star. Liam Neeson, Bruce Willis and even Jason Statham have done this very same story before, and all with better results than this.
John Cusack had very little to do as Sam, Paul's friend. 50 Cent was at least more interesting as a cool drug lord named "The Pharmacy." Korean superstar Rain wasted his martial arts talents as Omar's right-hand man Mark. Jessica Lowndes was just annoying as Beth's addict friend Angela. Gia Mantegna was one-note throughout her performance as drugged-out Beth.
Overall, this film is just an anemic cousin of films like "Die Hard" or "Taken" but with none of its excitement and entertainment value. Even in a B-film like this, Jason Patric fails yet again the lead actor. At the end of this film, I never even caught who or what the titular "Prince" was. 2/10.
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ReplyDeleteThe poster of the movie looks promising.. good thing I read your review before wasting money and time watching the movie. I'm not really a fan of action movies but I'll let my husband judge this for himself..-kaycee
ReplyDeleteYes. The poster looked very good. Which also added to the disappointment.
DeleteThe movie sounds nice, The poster looks great, too!
ReplyDeleteThe poster looks nice. But it sounds like the movie has failed to deliver huh!
ReplyDeleteI think the storyline of the movie 7 nice. Wish they had chosen better actors.
ReplyDeleteThey should have just shifted roles with Bruce Willis. I think Bruce has the charisma to easily carry a film like this.
ReplyDeleteYes Willis does. Although he did do something like that in Live Free and Die Hard (2007), when his character John McClane saved his daughter Lucy.
DeleteThis movie seems promising from the poster.
ReplyDeleteA very intriguing plot, although I personally dislike the drugs theme, I think the movie is also focused on the father/daughter relationships.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm about to watch that movie on October 4 care of E-Plus free movie marathon
ReplyDeleteYou got me curious about this October 4 movie marathon. What are the films in that marathon?
DeleteI am interested in action-packed movie. Although the plot is similar normally. Thanks for sharing this review. Will look for it.
ReplyDeleteToo bad, the poster and trailer looked good. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteHo hum..won't be watching this. Sad that even Bruce Willis and John Cusack couldn't save it from being a disaster
ReplyDeleteDon't you find the poster design very familiar and similar to some movies too? I'm curious what's your rating for Taken when you gave The Prince (with such similar plot) a 2/10
ReplyDeleteI like the poster, but yes, it does look familiar. "Taken" was a far, far better film than this one, tackling the "save my daughter" plot in a more exciting and original way. I rated it a 7/10, I believe. How did you rate "Taken"?
DeleteI've never heard of this movie until I stumbled upon your review! It sounds super interesting! Might give it a try on my next break! :D
ReplyDeleteBruce Willis is one of my favorite actor since the sixth sense movie.. But I've never watch the Prince before, it seems like NO MERCY ^_^
ReplyDeleteMoviegoers are finding more action from this film like Bruce Willis did for his as films. But it sounds that you didn't like the movie. Well, I think, some people may or may not too.
ReplyDeleteive never heard of this film before. think ill watch the trailer as I'm curious
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised to hear that Jason Patric is now a lead action star. Die hard action movie fans can surely skip this. I'm not into action movies with such brutality although I did enjoy the Bourne series.
ReplyDeleteI've heard rain is coming back hollywood
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Jason Patric has never had the IT factor. judging from your movie rating rating of 2/10. He didn't do any better in this movie.
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