'My name is Malone. My job is to cut until they hit and shoot before they stab me. . . - 'Send 'em to Hell, Malone!' (2009) is a non-stop and noir crime film. But even more interesting may look the fact that the main characters in the creation of the film can be used the phrase “unrealized opportunities”. Let's start with the director. He is Australian Russell Mulcahy, but many will strain, remembering what other projects he was still attached to. He was originally a music video maker, starting his career in the 70s, and has worked closely with Duran Duran, Bonnie Tyler and Elton John. Mulcahy still actively works as a full-meter director, as a director of clips, and shines on television. But, apparently, the main merit of Mulcahy was that he was behind the creation of the cult fiction Highlander (1986). This film with Christopher Lambert failed at the box office and was criticized, but later received deserved recognition. Mulcahy also directed the thriller Ricochet (1991) with Denzel Washington and the film adaptation of pulp magazines Shadow (1994) with Alec Baldwin. In general, Russell Mulcahy had every chance to enter the cast of the most popular directors, but someone at first did not consider the full meaning of Highlander. . .
And now for the lead role in 'Send 'em to Hell, Malone!' It was Thomas Jane, and his character in the film is called Malone. So, many people saw him as a first-rate actor, but how else if Jane has such masculine features and an enviable physique. He played in such films as Bloody Thursday (1998), Deep Blue Sea (1999) and Punisher (2004), from which he smelled brutality. But Jane never entered the first-magnitude cohort of stars and eventually slid into second-rate thrash. The actor seemed to lack some “highlight”, some very little to swing at the Hollywood Olympus. So in "Send them to hell, Malone!" the hero of Thomas Jane is an ex-private detective, but after experiencing a tragedy in the past became a so-called shooter for hire. And ahead of him waiting for another dangerous task, which turns out to be a “set-up”, then on the horizon there is a real “femme fatale” performed by Elsa Pataki, a fight with a large mafia boss, several brutal killers allegedly descended from the pages of the comics “DC”, as well as an unexpected revelation in the apogee. And with such a multi-layered still "wow effect" from the game Jane is not felt. . .
But everything in order. So, the action takes place in a certain city, which was created for a film in the style of gangster cinema. But meanwhile, the authors of “Send them to hell, Malone!” immerse the viewer in a somewhat ironic atmosphere, because shooting and fights occur endlessly, and they bring complete devastation and chaos, but none of the inhabitants pays attention to this, as if such showdowns are commonplace, as in our “dashing 90s”. And all of this creates an entourage that resembles the stereotypical Chicago of the 30s in our perceptions after watching movies about those times. Yes, and the clothes of the actors correspond to that time, but with all confidence to declare that the temporal canvas of the film “Send them to hell, Malone!” occurs precisely in the 30s of the last century somehow does not work. And this is not a mistake of the creators of the picture - this is a prudent move so that it differs from similar genre films. Although, if you think again about the tempo of "Send them to hell, Malone!", the film already has a certain originality. However, this may alienate some viewers, but others, on the contrary, may be delighted. Thus, it turns out that “Send them to hell, Malone!” is not a unique film, but also an unusual one.
A little bit about actors. Thomas Jane has already been mentioned above, but it is worth adding that he tries to look bravura in the frame, to show himself a dashing mercenary with his code of honor. And in many ways he succeeds, but lacks some spark. In general, this has already been said. Let’s move on to Elsa Pataki, who is largely known by everyone for participating in several parts of the Fast and Furious action franchise. The actress looks very impressive on the screen, so it is not surprising that the hero of Thomas Jane felt attracted to her. Yes, I think others, looking at her, felt something similar. In addition, Pataki plays a mysterious and at the same time dramatic character. And the bathroom scene with her participation is a clear and bright decoration of the film, which will make him remember. Textured Wing Rames here plays one of the mercenaries who has his own goals. Basically, nothing new from this actor, but the brutality of "Send them to hell, Malone!" he certainly gives. But who once again managed to distinguish himself in the embodiment of the image of another psychopath is Doug Hutchison, who can add to his resume the character of a pyromaniac who has the same expressive features and frightening charisma as he did in the TV series The X-Files, playing a mutant Eugene Toomes, and made hate the whole world of his character in the Green Mile (1999).
In general, Russell Mulcahy turned out a kind of film with a certain style, which clearly distinguishes him. And for fans of fast-paced action, you can add that “Send them to hell, Malone!” is a very dynamic movie with short pauses. Actors, in principle, try and do not fail. But still I wanted something more, the film hooked and forced to follow what is happening almost with bated breath, but this is not so much - the scope is clearly not enough. But you can still watch the film, it is unlikely to disappoint.
6 out of 10