Is it possible to make a pretentious revenge thriller? Of course! The Brave One, a Neil Jordan/Jodie Foster vehicle, is simultaneously sensationalistic and scolding. Bad combination. After her hot doctor fiancé is beaten to death and her dog is stolen, an artsy-fartsy radio host (Foster) arms herself and finds NYC is filled with vicious pimps and thugs whom she unceremoniously blows away and then feels bad about. Yawn. The original Death Wish is better; the best—the totally crazy Ms. 45, directed by the legendary Abel Ferrara.
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