Law Abiding Citizen

Justice -- a Dish Best Served Cold...

Law Abiding Citizen is a bad-ass movie. It calls into question how far true justice can go before it isn't justice at all. The movie centers around Gerard Butler whose wife and daughter are raped and killed before his very eyes. His lawyer, Jamie Foxx, takes a deal to ensure his high conviction rate, allowing the main culprit a plea bargain that only amounts to 5 years in prison. Butler is pissed over the system and 10 years later develops an elaborate plan to kill everyone involved in the injustice the system turned on him.

The movie calls into question how far is too far before justice is attained. Butler blamed the system for the injustice given to him and his family's murderers. So he feels that the just thing to do is to bring the system down. In a way the audience can sympathize with him, because its true -- our justice system, as well as many other systems of government, can allow bureaucracy to compromise the true purpose of the system itself. So what do you do?

The film shows how the means do not justify the end. Sure Butler wants to set the system straight, but that doesn't mean he has to go around and mutilate everyone involved. It manifests the corruption of a man, noble in intent, yet vicious in method. The ending of the movie perfectly portrays the result of such corruption. Our society today has fallen victim to the heresy that the ends do justify the means. This film speaks as an opponent to that notion for it shows the result of such dangerous, psychological sentiments.

The dynamic of this film is unique to most other 'cop vs bad-guy' movies. Gerard Butler is still in jail, while he continues to kill people. He is somehow able to always be one step ahead of the cops, anticipate their next move, and let them walk in to their own death. Its a very smart movie that provides an interesting discussion for later. Although there are some very gory scenes it is ultimately 'stomachable' and worth the Redbox rental.

Jury's Verdict: B+