GRIDLOCKED (2015)

Directed By: Allan Ungar 
Written By: Rob Robol & Allan Ungar 
Cinematography By: Pasha Patriki 
Editor: Allan Unger & Michael Lane 


Cast: Dominic Purcell, Cody Hackman, Danny Glover, Trish Stratus, Stephen Lang, Vinnie Jones 

 Former SWAT leader David Hendrix is down on his luck and has failed to receive medical clearance after taking a bullet on the job. Despite being highly trained and competent, his efforts have been reduced to routine tasks for the NYPD. As if things couldn't get any worse, he's been forced to babysit Brody Walker, a hard partying celebrity that's been sent on a mandatory ride along as part of his probation. Pampered and irritating, Walker is the last thing Hendrix needs. But all of that changes when a police training facility comes under attack by a team of ruthless mercenaries led by the mysterious Korver. Now, Hendrix and Walker must band together with the remaining survivors to fight back and keep the mercenaries from overtaking the compound.... if they don't kill each other first.
Obviously not the Tupac Shakur and Tim Roth comedic thriller about two addicts trying to get into rehab while ducking drug dealers. that films title has a different spelling of the same title. Not to mention a much better movie.

This straight to video on demand action film isn't great, but if you are looking for a decent action film that tries to also be a begrudgingly buddy film of mismatched partnerships, this is the film for you. As at the very least it is entertaining. You know what you are going to get from the get go. So if this seems like what you are looking for, it will only disappoint you slightly.

As we are forced to believe that Canada is New York.

This film is a siege film so it mainly takes place in one location.

So that the film seems inspired by a story element of the film THE HARD WAY. Even having the same actor from that film playing the villain. While being less comedic with the premise and having the same kind of superstar being taken hostage and being in on the action. It tries to be so many thing but most of all a cop/buddy film.

The lack of superstars seemingly slumming in the lead roles is a welcome change and offers the chance that who you might believe to be the hero or lead is expendable to a degree.

Though some familiar faces of characters actors are a welcome pleasure to the film. Especially with Stephen Lang's chewing of the scenery. Though the film tries to be over the top, well as much as it can actually go for such a modest budget. Though it does involve a scene in which an elderly couple are killed just to show how evil the villains truly are.

It also shows how unblinkingly violent the film is throughout. Then again as an action film what else did you expect.

Dominic Purcell is our lead and having never watched the television show PRISON BREAK. I was barely familiar with him. He does alright in the lead role. He is believable as the bad ass action hero. As he seems to resemble more the muscle or right hand man of a villain in these types of films. Rather than the hero. Though more in the action scenes then the dialogue ones where he seems stiff and offbeat it at least seems to be trying to hard. He was a replacement for Cuba Gooding Jr.

The way the film begins leaves is with a bunch of questions about his character that only get filled out and answered later, but starts the film off with his character jarringly.

This film is a siege film so it mainly takes place in one location.

The film keeps a sense of humor even in the most thrilling of action sequences and in the middle of serious scenes. As most of the characters are so alpha male throughout. Even the sole female character.

The storyline is pretty predictable. It plays itself bigger than it actually is, which only makes it feel smaller.

In the end this is a nice VOD Action thriller with an attitude.


Grade: C-