Outcast (2014)

It's easy to fall for the temptation of liking an easy film like this. It has action, pseudo-valuable life lessons and the promise of a plot. Just a shame it didn't go further than the "pseudo" and the "promise". The whole sadly feels like it has been written over one night when someone had a seemingly excitening idea for a movie, but - in all their eager to deliver a blockbuster - ended up with just another cliché packed box of garbage. I'm sorry. If I was just watching without thinking anything, I would have liked it. But that is exactly what makes it not good. The plotholes are bigger than the story itself and the acting... lets just say this is not why I watch films.But, if an easy terrible action-adventure-movie is exactly is what you're looking for, this is for you. If on the other hand you want a good movie, na-ah... you'll be happier with something else.

I've grown extremely wary of anything with Nicolas Cage, but decided to give this a try. Fortunately, Nicolas is not in it the entire time, as I have not heard an English accent that good since Bus Pirates. I also didn't know that they had Grecian Formula back in those days.The movie was pleasantly self aware. Look for the exchange between the fugitive heir to the throne and our hero who has just made an archery shot that not even Green Arrow or Robin Hood could have pulled off. The hero's answer alone is worth the price of admission. Also, the reply to the White Ghost's question of how did you find me is quite enjoyable.It's not a great movie, but the costumes seem period correct, the weapons seem plausible, and the scenery is outstanding. And with the exception of one acceptable scene, there is no Kung Foolery.

I have watched a LOT of really bad movies, and this isn't anywhere near the bottom of the barrel. In fact, it's kind of enjoyable. The bad guy is sufficiently bad that we he drives the story and justifies our anger. He has just enough complexity that he escapes being one- dimensional. Hayden Christensen is acceptable as basically the fallen hero, and Nicholas Cage is, well, a little off the wall.Some people complain about the action, and the first sequence is not that great. But the later action scenes are decent, and the last sword- fight is pretty good.Some of the story is sort of sketched in instead of really told in depth, but it's not inconsistent or riddled with plot holes. What story there is moves along at a good pace.

I am giving this movie 7 out of 10. The reason for this is simple, the accents. Now Haydens accent wasn't to bad to be honest, but Nick Cage could have done better. The story itself was good though, I was willing on Hayden throughout the movie. The cinematography could have been better, the fade in and fade outs where strange. Compared to many movies lately this is a good one, now I'll just pop the last samuari movie in here, this was the last movie of this type that I thought was really good. 7 out of 10. Please let Hayden be a top flight star again!