Cut to Angel (Val Kilmer), an ex-con taking his first steps towards freedom after a ten-year stretch. Eventually, Angel seeks out Rich. Sometime in the past, Angel helped Rich avoid a twenty-year stint in prison, and now Angel is looking for help. Rich is happy to take Angel on as an enforcer. With the streets locked up, Rich wants to expand his business into other areas. At his side is a blonde arms dealer (AnnaLynn McCord) with military connections.
Meanwhile, two detectives (Paul Calderon and James Remar) find themselves in hot water with the mayor, who decides to send in a pair of ATF agents to help set things right and get the weapons off the street.
If any of Gun's plot sounds familiar, it's probably because you've seen them before in other movies. At best, Gun is a gangster fantasy filled with every possible cliché available. There's the sexy arms dealer (and a gratuitous sex scene to boot), a conflicted ex-con and a criminal who thinks he's bigger than life. Even some of the dialogue is ripped right out of other movies.
Despite Gun's insistence on cribbing from other crime movies, there's actually a salvageable plot bogged down in all the mire. There's a fun dynamic between Angel and Rich that is unfortunately lost. If the focus was on Angel, Gun would work. Yet, Angel is never offered any sort of character development beyond moping in his hotel room and staring in silent disbelief at Rich's antics.
Given the focus on Rich, it should come as no surprise that Gun's screenplay was penned by it's main star. Though a talented musician, screenwriting isn't his thing. Not only is the film's major plot twist telegraphed within the first five minutes, Jackson ensures he gets into as many big moments as possible. It makes sense, and honestly Jackson isn't horrible. It's just, with so much focus on him, the rest of the movie comes off as a bland rip-off.
If Gun deserves any high marks, its for presentation. The over-reliance on audio bumpers between scenes is tiring, but there are some really interesting editorial decisions. The opening scene is actually really well done and, in an odd way, the movie's most original aspect.
The Blu-ray transfer looks good, especially when you take the film's budget into account. It's not the best Blu-ray in my collection, but still incredibly solid. There are, however, a few audio issues. Balance is way off. Gunfire and music are too loud, while dialogue is too soft. I ended up watching the last half of the movie with my hand on the volume button.
It should go without saying, Gun isn't much of a purchase. In the hands of a better storyteller, Gun would be a better movie. There's a story here that's worth telling, but 50 isn't the person to do it.
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