« Back to all posts in FilmOlogy

'Haywire' Is Steven Soderbergh's 'Mission: Impossible'

Film Rundown:

Genre:

Action/Adventure

Parental Rating:

NC-17

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Starring:

Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender

Runtime:

Our rating:

by The Ology Team .

On Jan 21, 2012

If you, like me, left Ghost Protocol thinking, "Man, I can't believe I have to wait five years for another Mission: Impossible movie," the good news is you don't. With Haywire, Steven Soderbergh delivers a globe-trotting, ass-kicking, sexified spy movie all his own. Unique choices abound, starting with star Gina Carano, a retired professional mixed martial arts fighter whose previous acting experience is limited to say the last. Ultimately, Soderbergh obviously decided he'd rather her punches land harder than her lines, and this proves a worthwhile tradeoff. Those who see Haywire will see it for the action, and I guarantee they'll walk out smiling. Soderbergh has stripped his combat of special effects, shaky-cam, fast cuts, even music. The only sounds you'll hear are bones breaking as assassins fling each other around hotel rooms, diners, beaches and the like. Music to my ears.

The story is a familiar one: Beautiful black ops super soldier Mallory Kane (Carano) is betrayed during a mission and must act fast in the pursuit of payback. Her quest for answers and vengeance leads her to Barcelona, Dublin, Washington D.C., and the mountains of New Mexico, all of which Soderbergh captures with his trademark naturalistic cool. Car chases, foot chases, shoot-outs, and scuffles follow one after the other, but in a way that feels logical, kinetic and clear. It's the perfect movie for those who like their warfare straight, no chaser.

Though Carano won't shock anyone with her newfound acting abilities, she won't embarrass herself either. Her regal face and authoritative voice go a long way, and she unarguably holds her own in scenes with Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender. No easy feat, I imagine. Soderbergh is famous for working both sides of the screen, i.e., one for me (The Girlfriend Experience, Che, Bubble), one for them (Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven, Contagion). The thoroughly diverting Haywire feels like something for everyone.

SumOlogy: Action fans rejoice.

Connect with other Filmologists on My.Ology and follow me on Twitter.