Havoc - Price Prediction

Gareth Evans burst onto the movie scene in 2011 with his action-packed thriller “The Raid: Redemption”, impressing audiences with its fast-paced rhythm, stylish action scenes, and even though the plot was simple, these elements made it stand out. Since then, Evans has delved into various genres, from his segment in “V/H/S/2” to “The Raid 2” in 2014. With his latest film “Havoc”, Evans is back in the action genre after over a decade. However, I found myself yearning for more depth and substance from it.

Under the guidance of director Evans, the movie “Havoc” revolves around Tom Hardy’s character, Walker, who is a detective in a bustling city. He’s attempting to regain the love of his family after his wife uncovers his shady dealings with a local crime boss. When the son of this crime lord is accused as the main suspect in the murder of a prominent member from a local Asian criminal group, Walker is tasked with locating him and delivering him to his father urgently. This sets him on a dangerous path involving other corrupt cops and rival gangs, while he grapples with the ghosts of his past.

Havoc’s Story Lacks Any Kind Of Originality

Must Every Police Action Anti-Hero Have The Same Arc?

Throughout his career, Evans has consistently taken on both writing and directing roles for his films, resulting in captivating narratives across various genres. His first film, “Merantau”, combined action with a heartfelt emotional narrative, while “The Raid 2” expanded upon its predecessor’s basic storyline by introducing more complexity and character development. Despite being underappreciated, “Apostle” brought a uniquely chilling perspective to the folk horror genre through its exploration of shifting morals and stronger supernatural elements.

In essence, Havoc’s narrative falls flat due to its lack of originality. Over and over, films about a crooked police officer forced to confront those who will oppose him share a similar plot structure, placing the character against both fellow officers and other criminals. Even Dredd, starring Karl Urban, which came out shortly after The Raid (though they were produced concurrently), relied on many typical genre motifs, but managed to make them captivating and enjoyable.

In the film “Havoc”, Evans introduces a fresh element to the typical action movie formula by giving it a more realistic, gritty feel compared to most similar films. Instead of the usual trope where heroes or side characters rescue an innocent person at the last second, numerous innocents die throughout the movie, which heightens the tension and suspense. However, when the main characters frequently manage to dodge hails of gunfire from assault rifles, it can sometimes feel overly dramatic or unrealistic.

Evans’ Direction Is Stylish, But The Same Can’t Be Said Of The Editing

The Movie’s Use Of CGI Is Also Off-Putting

From as early as the film “Merantau“, Evans has gained recognition for integrating the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat into his movies, along with using a handheld camera that gives a raw, intense feel to the fight scenes. In the movie “Havoc“, Evans expands his fighting repertoire, considering not all of his characters have been trained in Pencak Silat, which results in some beautifully orchestrated combat sequences.

In a new twist for his career, Evans has delegated most of the editing tasks for this movie’s action sequences to another editor, while he continues as the action editor for “Havoc”. However, it seems that despite retaining supervision over this aspect, the editing in this film is the most fragmented compared to his previous works. Some fight scenes become confusing due to the excessive action happening between cuts, and the choreography suffers as a result.

In “Havoc,” I found myself appreciating the innovative use of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in certain sequences, like the thrilling opening chase of a hijacked big rig truck. The way one thief clung to the door from the outside, as it swung open during the high-speed drive, was quite captivating. However, given the sheer destruction portrayed, I can understand why practical effects might have been too costly. Yet, the polished textures and the seemingly flawless physics of the scene made it a bit too noticeable, which occasionally interrupted my immersion in the story.

Havoc’s Cast Ground Things Enough To Keep Things Moving

There Are A Few Notable Stand-Outs Of The Roster

In every instance, a key element that shines in Havoc is its talented cast, who consistently deliver compelling performances that keep us hooked on the predictable plot. The captivating and relatable Jessie Mei Li from Shadow and Bone portrays the role of a young detective partnering with Walker, a character brilliantly brought to life by Tom Hardy with the perfect blend of rough charm and high-energy resilience. Timothy Olyphant and Sunny Pang effectively embody two formidable adversaries that Walker must confront in his struggle against the criminal underworld.

Among the impressive performances in the film “Havoc”, Yeo Yann Yann truly shines as Tsui’s mother. Walker is in a desperate race against time, seeking to locate the crime lord’s son before he can exact his vengeance on him. Yeo skillfully portrays a grieving mother with an eerie allure, maintaining enough control to keep her actions unpredictable, yet allowing her sorrow to resonate in almost every line she speaks. Unfortunately, the film itself doesn’t fully live up to the talent of its cast, but it does provide them with sufficient material to prevent “Havoc” from being entirely wasted.

2025-04-24 21:18