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Movies / Upcoming / 12 Rounds
12 Rounds

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12 Rounds (2009)

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Reviews Counted:64

Fresh:18

Rotten:46

Average Rating:4.4/10

Consensus: Energetic but empty, 12 Rounds' preposterous plot hurtles along at a rapid pace, but can’t disguise the derivative script.

Australian Rating: M [See Full Rating] Violence

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Australian Theatrical Release:
Mar 19, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $12,220,258

Synopsis: Finnish director Renny Harlin (CLIFFHANGER, DIE HARD 2) brings first-time screenwriter Daniel Kunka’s story to life in the fast-paced action film 12 ROUNDS. When New Orleans police officer Danny... Finnish director Renny Harlin (CLIFFHANGER, DIE HARD 2) brings first-time screenwriter Daniel Kunka’s story to life in the fast-paced action film 12 ROUNDS. When New Orleans police officer Danny Fisher (WWE wrestler John Cena) apprehends Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen, THE WIRE), a villainous Irishman being pursued by the FBI, Jackson’s girlfriend is accidentally killed. One year later, Jackson is out of prison and seeking revenge, kidnapping Fisher's girlfriend, Molly (Ashley Scott), and setting up an elaborate game of cat and mouse that traverses the city. Now a detective, Fisher, with the help of the FBI and his fellow officers, has to survive 12 rounds of Jackson’s game--each more mentally and physically challenging than the last--if he wants to see Molly alive again. Meanwhile, the roguish Jackson may be seeking more than just retribution. Although the premise is completely implausible, 12 ROUNDS is a fun thrill ride. Jackson’s plan and Fisher’s ensuing pursuit leave an unimaginable trail of destruction throughout the city, managing to encompass fire engines, buses, a streetcar, and a helicopter, along with fires, explosions, and blackouts, among other things. There isn’t a dull moment as Fisher and the FBI agents, played by Steve Harris and Gonzalo Menendez, try to outwit the seemingly omnipotent villain. Cena, resembling a super-sized Mark Wahlberg, fits the bill for an action hero. Gillen is a solid nemesis: heartless, stone-faced, and completely out for himself. Brian White plays Hank, Fisher’s partner and best friend, and Scott is appealing as Fisher’s feisty girlfriend. [More]

Starring: John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris

Starring: John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris, Brian White, Taylor Cole, Gonzalo Menendez, Kyle Clements, Peter Navy Tuiasosopo, Travis Davis, Nick Gomez

Director: Renny Harlin

Director: Renny Harlin
Screenwriter: Daniel Kunka
Producer: Mark Gordon, Josh McLaughlin, Michael Lake
Composer: Trevor Rabin
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for 12 Rounds

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
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This big-budget action thriller excels at dishing out a plot that's a bit like a chess game on speed.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment 9 Comments
03/14/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you leave your brain in neutral, you should have a fairly enjoyable ride.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
03/20/09
Andrew J. McGlinn
Andrew J. McGlinn
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

While the plot is completely daft the film is also engagingly diverting.

Full Review Source: Sunday Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
05/29/09
Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Sunday Mirror [UK]

Harlin shakes the picture around as if he and the camera were constantly bouncing around in the bed of a rattletrap pickup truck.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/03/09
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

The future of vacuous action movies is clearly with the likes of Cena, humans who resemble characters from video games, albeit without the acting chops.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
03/30/09
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday

Skip the cop rot – it will damage your brain.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
05/29/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

12 Rounds is the unholy stepchild of Die Hard with a Vengeance and Speed, starring a man whose lack of range makes Steven Seagal seem nuanced by comparison.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
03/30/09
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Assuming that audiences are dumb enough to pay money for a movie that should've premiered on Spike TV is the worst kind of cynicism. Don't fall for it.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment 1 Comment
03/27/09
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

12 Rounds is too long, and about 80 minutes in you'll give up trying to make sense of the thing.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
03/30/09
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

A very satisfying and well made action thriller that could only be improved if Arnold Schwarzenegger was the star.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
07/09/09
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

It remains to be seen whether this crude, dumbly entertaining outing will encourage the director to tackle more of the Greek myths.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
05/29/09
Xan Brooks
Xan Brooks
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Awfully forgettable, but Harlin makes things go boom again, with ruthless efficiency that puts the flick just over the hump of the straight-to-cable Jeff Speakman school. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
08/12/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

It's either one of the dumbest films in world history, or a sly work of ironic genius. Either way, it's damn entertaining.

Full Review Source: News of the World | comment Comment
05/28/09
Robbie Collin
Robbie Collin
News of the World

Harlin makes good use of both the architecture of the city and of his formidably muscled leading man. But you will probably find yourself praying for this duel's knock-out punch to arrive long before it actually does.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
03/30/09
Clark Collis
Clark Collis
Entertainment Weekly

We all have our little fantasies. Some people focus on romance, some on money, some one exotic locales.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
04/02/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Adrenaline packed from beginning to end.

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment 2 Comments
03/31/09
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

Those in the mood for something kinda dumb but lotsa fun look no further.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
05/29/09
Rob Daniel
Rob Daniel
Sky Movies

Cinematically this is by-the-book multicam crash-and-burn spectacle that lacks originality but has spades of energy and a few truly suspenseful moments. Doesn't quite make it worth your time, though.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
03/20/09
Jason Di Rosso
Jason Di Rosso
MovieTime, ABC Radio National
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's nothing here we haven't seen before, the action is laid on thick and fast with plenty of explosions and car chases, making this Big Dumb Fun of the first order.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
05/29/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Loud, idiotic nonsense.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
06/02/09
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
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Latest News for 12 Rounds

May 31, 2009: Five Favourite Films with Renny Harlin
Finnish director Renny Harlin has one of the most schizophrenic CVs in movie-dom. He's directed some of the most beloved action films of the last 20 years, including Die Hard 2,... More...

March 30, 2009: 12 Rounds Star Wants Jericho Film Trilogy Opens in new window
In a recent interview, 12 Rounds actress Ashley Scott chimes in on rumored plans to bring the cancelled CBS sci-fi show Jericho to the big screen. In short, she's in -- how's a... More...

March 26, 2009: Critics Consensus: Monsters vs. Aliens Is A Blast
This week at the movies, we've got a war of the worlds (Monsters vs. Aliens, with voice work by Reese Witherspoon and Seth Rogan), a demonic abode (The Haunting in Connecticut,... More...

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Ginormica and her mutant pals look to seize control of the North American box office with the animated 3D adventure Monsters vs. Aliens which will try to overtake a group of... More...

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