The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Hardcore action is not usually a film genre that viewers watch for deep plotlines and intricate character development. Instead, such films generally offer up a couple hours of blood-soaked, physics-defining, adrenaline-fuelled rides. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Kormákur’s 2 Guns is an ambitious attempt at giving action-buffs their dose of chaotic carnage.

The film begins with criminal team Robert, or Bobby, Trench (Washington) and his wingman Michael Stigmam (Wahlberg) being apprehended at the border by U.S. customs for their involvement with notorious drug kingpin, Papi Greco (Olmos). During the interrogation by Jessup (Burke) and Deb (Patton), Bobby, who is later revealed as an undercover DEA agent, proposes a plan to unveil Greco’s money laundering schemes. His elaborate bank robbing scheme backfires and Bobby soon becomes hunted by the military, Greco’s thugs, and the CIA (Paxton) and must work closely with Stigman in order to stay alive.

Shot with a de-saturated 60’s vibe, an eclectic mix of frantic camera angles, a great soundtrack and slow motion action sequences, Kormákur keeps a high energy vibe pulsating throughout the entire film. This also is attributed to by the actors; between Wahlberg’s wisecracking antics, Washington’s visible burdens and Paxton’s remarkable panache for torture, the cast manages to keep the ball rolling until the climax, where all parties engage in an epic shoot-out to an impressive backdrop of $43 million.

The chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg is likened to a typical buddy-cop genre, and is acted out in a cheeky manner that caricatures the overused plot device. In a surprising turn of events, Olmos and Patton become the most relatable characters in the movie and manage to keep the plot grounded with their portrayal of human weaknesses.

Despite being entrenched with fast-paced, dramatic clichés, 2 Guns mixes in a few nouveau concepts and even manages to inject a few critical opinions regarding the U.S. legal system, immigration and the social condition of Mexico’s population.

Like many action films before it, 2 Guns isn’t likely to induce many metaphysical debates or intelligent discussions, but it is sure to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.