Law Abiding Citizen (out 12 April 10, Cert. 15)

Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Bruce McGill, Colm Meaney, Lesley Bibb, Gregory Itzin, Christian Stolte, dir. F. Gary Gray, 2009, cert. 15

MonkeyScore: 70%

The wife and daughter of Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) are brutally murdered during a home invasion. The killers are caught, with young prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) assigned to the case. Rice is made to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Ten years later, the man who got away with the murders is found dead on Shelton's property. Shelton is arrested, and issues an ultimatum to Rice: fix the flawed justice system, or key players in the trial will die.

Law Abiding Citizen feels a bit schizophrenic at times, shifting from vengeance flick to "let's make a point about this corrupt system" - without fully doing justice to either. It's a shame as both Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx give excellent performances. Still, Law Abiding Citizen exudes energy and  drive, and boasts such strong characters that it is difficult to choose sides. Butler's Clyde Shelton is particularly successful, with attitude a-plenty and the required glint of madness in the eye. His brutal determination, matched only by Jamie Foxx's character, make Law Abiding Citizen an exciting and entertaining film - perfect Friday night fodder.