The Last Castle

UK Release Date: 04 January 2002

Certification: 15
Director: Rod Lurie
Cast: Steve Burton, Clifton Collins Jr., James Gandolfini, Delroy Lindo, Robert Redford, Mark Ruffalo, Robin Wright

Rating: 50%

Review: 

Arguably the most distinctly average film of all time. Receiving mixed reviews initially and bombing worldwide at the box office, grossing $27 million with a budget of $72 million, The Last Castle has largely been forgotten. 

Everything in this film lacks originality. It has all been seen, in some shape or form, before. A fairly formulaic prison break reminiscent of Escape from Alcatraz or The Shawshank Redemption. Events on screen are filmed to a fairly decent standard and for the most part entertaining but it is completely lacking in both inventiveness and imagination. Thoroughly devoid of any new ideas and largely predictable from start to finish. Alongside dated CGI that ruins the third act. 

Released during a dormant stage of Robert Redford's career and towards the beginning of Mark Ruffalo's. This is a mashed-up cast. Neither give particularly good performances, failing to connect the audience to their characters. However, in fairness, James Gandolfini is great. Don't get me wrong, the dialogue is awful and the character himself is kind of one-dimensional. But he makes the most of it and plays the villainous role so incredibly over the top, to the point where it is engaging. 

To be fair, really enjoyed Jerry Goldsmith's score. There's a real triumphant American feel throughout The Last Castle that encapsulates the mood of the film.  

First two acts, whilst derivative, are executed to the best of their ability. Spoiler for a film that released over twenty years ago, following the death of Aguilar the film loses all narrative pacing and interest. And by the end I'm incredibly bored and devoid of any emotions. I simply didn't care for this film.