The Condemned

The Condemned is an embodiment of filmmaking stupidity. This film claims to criticize the same thing it tries to drown the audience in. Films like this harm the reputation of Hollywood cinematography. I thought Vinnie Jones was better than this. Only someone who is completely desperate would accept such a role. (2008-01-02)

This could have been a perfect instant package of tasty B-movie that would have combined themes from Battle Royale and Undisputed... that is if it wasn't a) so blatantly "correct" (an honorable FBI agent, the twisted past of the main character, the blonde girlfriend), b) didn’t have full the contact fights so chaotically shot and edited, and c) wasn't so incredibly long. Beyond that, Steve Austin has decent charisma for an ex-wrestler, unlike the handsome John The Marine Cena, and Vinnie Jones scores full marks as the British representative of the tough guys. A good film worth a single watch that will come in handy for a Sunday evening after a busy week. (2007-11-18)

I still think it's a bit stretched out, but this is a movie where Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones act really well, and these are just roles that suit them. It's watchable and not stupid. I wanted it to be a bit more explicit and in some scenes grittier, because those boundaries are visible, but this is simply an interesting story that will always be entertaining in any rendition. Well, probably... (2015-11-09)

Entertaining and quite attractive for fans. Unfortunately, the action is slightly weak (bad editing). I think it would be hard to make it more imaginative, so within the genre, it is a solid average. With more organized action, fewer tears, and happy endings, it could have made it a solid hardcore fan-friendly carnage, but it's somewhere halfway. Steve Austin is pretty cool, though, that cannot be denied. (2010-10-30)