Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is a loving family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion.  However, when the killers are caught, Philadelphia prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), reluctantly, makes a plea bargain with one of the defendants in exchange for his testimony against the other.  Thus, one man goes to Death Row, while the other winds up spending three years in prison.  This does not sit well with Shelton.

Ten year pass before Shelton gets his revenge.  Not only does he arrange for the condemned man to suffer an extremely painful death, but he also butchers the creep who got the light sentence.

Arrested by the police and immediately imprisoned, Shelton confesses, and then he threatens to bring down the entire justice system that failed him ten years earlier.  When Rice and his colleagues deny his demands, lawyers and judges who were connected to the earlier case begin to die.

So, how is Shelton, who is locked away in solitary confinement, able to pull off these assassinations?

CRITIQUE

Kurt Wimmer has written and F. Gary Gray has directed an excellent mystery-thriller that contains several surprising and shocking plot twists.

Over the years, I have watched literally thousands of mystery movies and television series.  In the vast majority of cases, I am able to guess the solution to the crime or the enigma long before it is revealed on screen.

Law Abiding Citizen had me baffled right up until the final reveal.

True, in hindsight, some of these twists might seem a bit far-fetched, but while you’re watching the picture you stay involved with the moment.  And, isn’t that what good storytelling is all about?

On the other hand, this film has the same problem as Sleuth.  Once you’ve seen it and know its secrets, will it hold up for a second viewing? 

Another problem with the picture is that neither of the two principal characters are very sympathetic.  Yes, you root for Shelton when he kills the two bad guys who murdered his family, but once he starts assassinating innocent people (even though they are lawyers), those compassionate feelings quickly dissipate.

Also, as written, prosecutor Rice is a cold fish and Jamie Fox really doesn’t bring much warmth or variety to the role.

Though he’s the villain, Shelton is a much more interesting character.  Butler’s performance is quite colorful.

Wimmer’s screenplay makes some valid, disturbing points about the problems with our criminal justice system.  One scene, which has Shelton taking on the judge at his arraignment, is particularly memorable.

Bruce McGill, Colm Meaney, Viola Davis and Leslie Bibb co-star in the movie.

The few scenes of violence might prove a bit too gruesome for some viewers.

THE VIDEO

The anamorphic widescreen presentation is very sharp and has no apparent flaws.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital Sound 5.1 has no problems, though Jamie Foxx is sometimes difficult to understand because he tends to mumble.

THE EXTRAS

Audio commentary featuring producers Lucas Foster and Alan Siegel.

The Justice of Law Abiding Citizen: This interesting featurette has several prosecutors discussing the legal issues in the movie.

Law in Black and White: A standard “Behind the Scenes” featurette.

Preliminary Arguments: A look at how the visual effects in the picture were developed.

Theatrical Trailer: Early and final versions.

FINAL THOUGHT

Law Abiding Citizen is an entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing right up until the end.  Whether it will hold up for a second viewing is another matter altogether.