Get Carter

Rourke was desperate to land the part but the money was so "disrespectful" his agent insisted he turn the film down, prompting Stallone to boost the pay check. Rourke tells Men's Journal magazine that Stallone himself dug deep for the pay hike. ... Full Review

Get Carter is an action film worthy of the label. Updating of '70s action flick improves on the original and adds depth to the genre. He is a very gifted actor and can make any role worth watching. ... Full Review

That actor -- whose Cliff Brumby is the only character worth watching in this boring movie -- should be insulted. Unless you're a devotee of crime fiction, Michael Caine movies or obscure British cinema, you probably missed the original "Get Carter" (1971). ... Full Review

Now it's one thing to put viewers through a risible remake of a decent film....If that isn't entertaining enough, director Kay goes bezerk with his ideas for spicing up this lugubrious tale..... ... Full Review

While the look of the film is very stylish and the actors, including veteran actor Michael Caine, are good, the story and characterizations are a bit thin. There is a very nice scene between him and Rachael Leigh Cook, that Stallone handles particularly well. ... Full Review

Certainly, for Stallone fans, for viewers who enjoy brutal violence and edgy, super-cool, mega-annoying filmmaking -- or for those just interested in getting a closer look at whatever the hell happened to Mickey Rourke's face -- this could be a keeper. ... Full Review

Get Carter becomes a story of redemption rather than pure revenge and the shading ironically makes Jack Carter a less dynamic and interesting character. His best scenes are with Caine, Rourke and Cumming because they don't defer to him and that, in turn, challenges Stallone. ... Full Review

Amidst the appropriately gloomy atmosphere and Stallone's star turn, "Get Carter" is little more than a shallow retread of many, many movies gone by. Cook equips herself with finesse and clear signs that she is more than just a pretty face on the big screen, even when asked to do silly or ridiculous things. ... Full Review

While the filmmakers have quite sagely outfitted Stallone in the proper goombah-ware, in transposing this Brit film, theyve gussied it up with a lot of art-house, neo-Euro accoutrements, including, most hilariously, Stallones goatee. In this vein, its fun to match the stark metallic color of Stallones ties with the building supports and framings, so antiseptic are the over-obvious aesthetics at work here. ... Full Review

And, instead of the nihilistic shocker that capped the original Carter's finale, the remake closes with some sermonizing on redemption that rings about as true as a dented cowbell. Jack gets to comfort his brother's mourning widow (Miranda Richardson), bond with his angst-ridden daughter (Rachael Leigh Cook), and be firm-but-gentle with his sad-eyed, sultry mistress (Rhona Mitra). ... Full Review