I saw HAYWIRE last night. It's a lot of fun. And, also kind of an oxymoron, the arty exploitation film.
First off, Carano is a Schwarzenegger level actor. She'd be out of place in a film that called for a lot of dialogue, but Haywire keeps her dialogue fairly brief and to the point. But, like Schwarzenegger, she's a true physical presence and asskicker in the film.
The action is great. It's like Bourne, but without the shakey cam so that you can see everything that's going on. It's refreshing and fun. Plus, I'd be willing to bet that the punches are turned up higher than the gunshots in the sound mix.
I think Soderbergh is having fun and making a statement on the power of the B-movie action star at the same time. The only person Carano knows she can trust is her father, played by Bill Paxton. On the other side, are some of great, acclaimed, pretty boy actors of the world in the forms of Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, and Antonio Banderas. And Carano gets to wipe the floor with them.
There are some nits to be picked. I don't think it's completely satisfying as an art film or as an exploitation film, but it's its own weird little beast. It doesn't really build to a cathartic climax. And the pace kind of sags near the end. But, all the same, I'd certainly recommend it.
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