A truly despicable film, Law Abiding Citizen presents the apex of Scotsman Gerard Butler's horrible brand of macho-man 'charisma'. He's fine in 300 and Rock'N'Rolla, but this morally dubious picture from F. Gary Gray (of Straight Outta Compton fame) washes over both of those completely. Yes, it's intended as a pretty silly thriller, and yes its basic plot outline is no different from countless other revenge-films, but something about this one, something about its morally dubious mantra and cold, austere style, makes it stand out - makes it one of the very worst Hollywood action films of recent years. And at the centre of it all is Butler, grinning and smug one scene, distraught and emotionally wrecked the next. What should be a by-the-numbers turn in a sizeable action flick instead becomes a horrid performance, a down-right nasty one - and what's worse is that you get the sense that Butler actually thinks he's doing a great job.
