Braven

I was browsing through Momoa's filmography when I came across Braven. It’s the perfect type of film for an evening when you’re not expecting any intellectual stimulation, just some entertainment for a complete brain shutdown. And that’s exactly what Braven delivers. With a C-grade production and B-list actors (well, besides Momoa and Stephen Lang, otherwise I’d have to keep going down the alphabet), the story is utterly ridiculous, to the point where it almost doesn’t seem that stupid. A big plus is the gorgeous snowy exterior shots, which do elevate my rating a bit. As mentioned, the drug plot is a worn-out trope, and the character actions are straightforward, but let’s be honest, sometimes you just need to watch a film like this. The budget was likely negligible, but there are a few standout moments, whether it’s the impressive axe throws (Momoa’s character should consider taking up a sport for that accuracy) or the decent fights that don’t feel jarringly out of place. The ending with the trap was also quite good. I’m pleased. The film gets the highest rating it can at 60%. (02/25/2018)