January 20, 2012 by Vinnie Leduc
The strong ensemble cast features Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, and Bill Paxton. However, Haywire is clearly MMA pioneer Gina Carano’s show. As the lead character in her first feature film, Carano convincingly and confidently pulls off the action sequences and holds her own versus the boys. But if she wants to expand her Hollywood career, she’ll need more opportunities to flex her acting muscles because despite the spotlight, her lines were pretty limited in Haywire.
Reminiscent of some of the better parts of the Bourne trilogy, the highlight of Haywire is most definitely the gritty one-on-one combat. I loved how these music-free sequences began suddenly each time. Incorporating MMA moves and some slick editing and shots by Soderbergh, they showcase Carano in her element and may be the only bits of the movie that I’d watch again because Haywire doesn’t offer much beyond the fantastic fights in close quarters.
Like the polar opposite of the Ocean’s trilogy, the occasional stabs at humor in Haywire flop every single time, further underlining the notion that the movie probably should have stuck with its strengths. Without those striking showcases of choreography, Haywire is just another generic action spy thriller. Everything that happens is likely something you’ve seen before already. But although I’m giving it the same grade as I did to Contagion, Haywire isn’t as disappointing. Haywire gets 2.5 out of 5 stars or C+ or Okay.
