HOLLYWOOD—Going into the theater to see the action-film “Brick Mansions” one might not have the highest expectations, but upon leaving the theater, the spectator may be surprised. The movie centers around a destitute region of the city of Detroit that has been cut-off from the rest of the thriving city. Considering that I am a native of Detroit, anytime a movie tackles my hometown, I can be a bit iffy of the perception that is presented.
While “Brick Mansions” presents the city in dire straits, it does so in a way that doesn’t completely stereotype what is presented in the media by those who are not familiar with the region. The movie stars the late Paul Walker as undercover cop Damien Collier, who is one of the last remaining good cops in the city. He has a high standard for moral and ethical responsibility; something that has diminished from many of those who serve the city.
Without a doubt, Walker shines in the movie that is a bit uneven with the script. We have the villain Tremaine Alexander portrayed by rapper RZA. He is the drug lord inside Brick Mansions that literally has all of its residents fearing for their lives. His character is a bit intimidating, but not frightening to the core. There are small bursts of intensity that come to the surface, but they don’t fully manifest as one would expect it to. He is a scary villain, but not one that the audience loves to hate.
The entire time I’m watching the film I couldn’t help, but ask myself why haven’t his hundreds of minions taken him out yet? Walker’s ability to bring likability, charm and an honest character to the movie helps make up for those mishaps. He does indeed have surmountable chemistry with co-star David Belle as Lino Dupree; a resident of Brick Mansions who is driven to end the crime that has taken over the place he’s called home. Belle is an action-star in the making. The stunts that this guy exhibits in the movie are unbelievable. They will absolutely wow and leave audiences talking. Not to mention both he and Walker trade off quite a few jabs at one another lightening the mood of the picture.
By far the first 10 minutes of the movie is absolutely a thrill ride. The viewer is quickly sutured into the action that takes place with Lino and his quest to halt the bad guys, is spectacular to watch. The film’s ending provides an unexpected twist that is interesting, but a bit difficult for the audience to see such a sudden shift in the narrative abruptly. “Brick Mansions” is not just an action film about drugs, crime and poverty, at its core it’s a movie about political corruption. Who can be trusted and who can’t? More importantly it sends the scary sign that in politics money has a major influence on the actions of those who are in charge.
It’s a shame to grasp that this is one of Paul Walker’s final films. Audiences will still get one last chance to see the actor in 2015’s “Fast and Furious 7,” but this movie just highlights the actor’s ability to excel as an action aficionado. “Brick Mansions” only touches the surface of the direction that the actor’s career was heading.
