LAPD cop Danny Fisher (John Cena) and his partner Hank Carver (Brian J. White) are on routine patrol when they get a call to assist the FBI. Spotting the car in question, Fisher and Carver pull the car over. In a FBI sting gone horribly wrong, Miles Jackson, a crazy psycho is arrested and his girlfriend is killed. This first scene will have you jumping out of your seat.
Exactly one year to the day of the fiasco sting, Miles escapes from jail, blows up Fisher’s home and kidnaps Fisher’s girlfriend Molly (Ashley Scott). Game on! Miles leads Fisher through 12 rounds of the bloodiest, explosive-intensive, timed game ever played. The outcome? If Danny loses, Molly dies.
The movie 12 Rounds was generally panned by the critics for a number of reasons. I personally found the movie to be a cross between Speed and The Marine (another John Cena movie). The story line is somewhat predictable, big strong guy’s girl gets taken; big strong guy does amazing feats of strength to get her back. Despite the predictability, however, it is most certainly an action-packed movie that will have you rocking back and forth in your seat willing Fisher to win each round.
The movie does contain many notable actors. John Cena, of WWE wrestling fame, does a credible job as the lead character. The movie, a WWE Films (Studios) production, appears to be tailor-made for Cena’s action talents. Steve Harris plays FBI Agent George Aiken. Harris, is an alum of the television show The Practice, and has played many supporting roles in movies such as Minority Report and The Rock. Gonzalo Menendez plays FBI Agent Santiago, who helps Danny despite Aiken’s protests. Menendez has played a supporting roles in many films include The Dark Knight Rises and The Island.
Despite the predictability of the movie, I would give 12 Rounds 3 out of 5 stars. Hey, it’s entertainment!
Rating: PG-13 What? Explosions! People dying! I guess since there was no actual blood show and we were only given the “impression” of people being blown up. For example, the plumber is in the house for round one, but when the house actually gets blown up, the camera is on Cena outside the house. It’s implied that the plumber was still in the house.
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Opened: March 27, 2009
Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min
Find it on Amazon:
12 Rounds
Looking for more John Cena? Find The Marine on Amazon.
