A powerful action thriller, ARSENAL tells the intertwining stories of the Lindel brothers, Mikey (Johnathon Schaech) and JP (Adrian Grenier), who had only each other to rely on growing up. As adults, JP found success as the owner of a construction company, while Mikey became a small-time mobster, mired in a life of petty crime. When Mikey is kidnapped and held for a ransom by ruthless crime boss Eddie King (Nicolas Cage), JP turns to the brothers' old pal Sal (John Cusack), a plain clothes detective for help. In order to rescue his brother, JP must risk everything and unleash his vengeance against King's relentless army of gangsters.

Plot Synopsis:
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nathan_kugan from Malaysia
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Not sure who thought Adrian Grenier was a good lead in an actioner but he kinda seemed out of place in his role. Not to say he is a bad actor but he didn't fit the role here. The best role and acting in the movie belongs to Johnathon Schaech. He might have played a supporting role but his character had the character development and emotional layers to it. They could have just focused the story on his and Nicolas Cage's character. And coming to Nicolas Cage, say what u want about the man but he still really do a great job in whatever role he takes up. This movie may not be up to his standards as an actor but he played the role the second time in the best way possible. Of course,when he did this role the 1st time,he had more screen time and more craziness to his character. Here,it's toned down a little. I would say that's a mistake on the director and screen writer's part because Nicolas Cage is easily the selling factor of the movie and why would you limit his screen time and the amount of crazy acting he could deliver? Still,Nicolas Cage did a great job and the movie is easily worth watching for him but i do wish he takes less roles like this and returns to serious,award worthy roles and movies. He has the talent and would be such a waste to be a regular in movies like this. The movie itself wasn't a terrible one and at the same time,isn't anything to rush out and watch. Too average and doesn't have any factor that puts it different from other DTV movies except for the presence of Nicolas Cage. It's nice to watch once but that's it.

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bcheng93 from ny ny
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john cusack shares top billing but is not in the film that much, he's in about 1/5 of the movie...popping in and out. nick cage is way too over the top, that initially turned me off a little bit but no big deal. adrien grenier is getting older and his acting tho not great is improving. this movie is ultra-violent and gory.

there's a lot of little things wrong about this film but in all honesty it was still quite enjoyable. did i mention that nick cage is way way too much over the top???

not taxing on the brain and it should get most viewers adrenaline pumping. action was good...acting was fairly good all around and the time flew by watching this movie. fairly basic plot but who cares, i totally enjoyed it. fans of crime action thrillers should like it.

surprised at the 4 rating here, i didn't try to boost it up and gave it an honest rating of 6...in my opinion its somewhere in high 5s to a 6 but will not make it pass 6. the 4 is undeserving and i really enjoy these type of films every once in a while.

no one actor(ress) stood out but everybody was competent. did i mention that nick cage was way way over the top already...hahaha...enjoy the movie for what it is, don't try to pick it apart. decent crime revenge film, in no way did i feel cheated watching this movie and i've felt cheated many times before.

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Tony Heck (cosmo_tiger@hotmail.com) from United States
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"Someone once asked me why I stick up for Mikey. They clearly don't have a brother." JP (Grenier) has always looked up to his older brother Mikey (Schaech). As adults JP is the one that is supporting and trying to help Mikey anyway he can. Mickey finds himself in trouble once again and goes to a mob boss for help. After receiving a phone call JP once again is in a position where Mickey needs his help, but this time is different. First of all, this movie is not bad at all. It is a decent B movie. On the other hand, it is extremely generic and I'm sure even just reading my synopsis of the movie you can predict everything that is going to happen and how it will turn out. John Cusack is in this for about 2 minutes and his character is pretty useless. Cage is, as usual, over the top and I'm not really sure what he was going for with his acting in this. All that said, most people that watch movies like this watch for the action and not the acting or story that much. If you are one of those people you will enjoy this. Overall, generic and predictable. A really good made-for-TV type movie that is nothing to rush out and see. I give this a C.

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subxerogravity from United States
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Poor Adrian Grenier. This movie was not the best laid plans for a future as a leading man.

The 1st clue was Nicolas Cage himself. I like Cage and all but he tends to suck the very essence out of a film with his over the top bad acting.

Grenier plays the good little brother trying to make sure his bad big brother gets on the right path after being on the wrong one for so long. Semi ironic as it's big bro who 1st introduce baby bro to the right path. It's a story I literally herd a thousand times, in fact I think I've seen at lest one movie a week with this subject. The stories of the two brothers is weak, and not implemented very well by the filmmakers or the actors playing them.

And there was absolutely no point for John Cussack to be in this film. They could have saved some cash and gotten someone else. Spend it on some better action scenes.

So Grenier's leading role status is up in the air. I hope he has an awesome real life entourage he can lean on.

It's a skipper.

http://cinemagardens.com

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Leftbanker from Spain
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¡¡¡Spoiler Alert!!! One Star means awful and that's exactly what this is. I couldn't have put it better.

You can never say that Nicolas Cage has hit rock bottom because just when you think this is true he burrows down deeper making his last rock bottom look like the top of Mount Everest. How many direct-to-DVD bombs can he make before they retire him for good? Lots of blood and many very poorly choreographed fight scenes do not make an action thriller. This was a completely forgettable story and yet another script thought up by a person or people who watch too many movies. There was absolutely nothing about this film I could recommend to anyone.

Not really sure just exactly what John Cusak was doing in this

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Corey James from United Kingdom
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This review of Southern Fury (Arsenal) is spoiler free

* (1/5)

PERHAPS SURPRISINGLY GIVEN that his name is at the top of the cast list we don't see Nicholas Cage's hard-headed villain, Eddie King for about half an hour into Southern Fury, at which point given his short screen time he gives a lengthy monologue which is over-the-top even by Cage standards. It's a solid performance, as the cold blooded killer that's also quite funny with his fake nose and mustache combo, his snickering and his dog-like growls, an interesting styling to this slight silly take to The King of Comedy.

Inexplicably styled in the wrong way as this interesting premise is constantly destroyed by director Steven C.Miller's historic tendencies to go overboard. Unfortunately that is the only interesting thing about Southern Fury (had a name change in the UK from Arsenal for obvious reasons) although the players only have access to a handgun for most of the time. The final result is a poorly titled, pretentiously boring - frankly silly gangster thriller. Firstly opening poorly with Adrian Grenier's (his second collaboration with Miller, the first was last year's Marauders) J.P Lindel a construction worker, who only gives one line via a poorly narrated script.

There is an earnest flashback showing his rough childhood with older brother Mikey, who even then liked to get into trouble with his friends it's a lengthy flashback that gives the film it's latter for emotion but is roughly done by the director. The film skips 23 years to an older Grenier, who's now a father and a husband and also enjoys time with his best friend John Cusack's Sal - a plainly dressed undercover cop who investigates the rough streets. Until he's caught up with how rough the streets can get after J.P's brother is kidnapped by a gang leader and held for a ransom of $350,000. The film riffs at this for quite a while which gives another style to this gangster thriller.

There are perhaps intriguing aspects to this, which manages to keep the film going to a particular standard, there's some dizzying action, with some fresh slow-mo shots, which we haven't seen before like a man being shot by a shotgun in his nether region. Also there is a moment when King tries to reach out to a bruised Mikey, by reading a letter that he wrote to his brother here he tries to seek emotion by shouting and giving moments of solidity to the film which can't save it. Despite the solid performances by Cage and Cusack who are left on the sidelines, the film is hacked 'n slashed by the director's historic tendencies.

VERDICT: While Cage and Cusack deliver solid performances, the rest of the film is half-assed, hobbled by the director's horrible decisions of historic tendencies.

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Peter Pluymers (peterp@cyberdude.com) from Kortessem, Belgium
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"Oh, you think we're even you and I? I know of way we can both earn what we deserve."

Nicolas Cage is known for his wayward choice in terms of films recent years. His career had some ups and downs. As a result, the opinions on his acting talent in the world of film lovers are rather divided. His performance as Eddie King, a manic, coke-snorting, aggressive underworld figure, who's also not afraid to handle opponents in a rough and cruel way, is an exceptional case. At first sight it isn't a thunderous acting performance that he delivers and it tends to be rather ridiculous. A kind of cartoonish character whose tantrums and neurotic behavior comes across as exaggerated. At first glance he looks like a parody of Tony Clifton (an Andy Kaufman impersonation) with a weird wig, a walrus-like mustache and glued on fake nose. Let him wear some over-sized sunglasses on his fake nose and you'd swear it's Roy Orbinson. But at the same time I thought he was incomparable. In other words, it's hard to define Cage's acting as being woefully bad or masterfully brilliant.

Unfortunately this isn't sufficient enough to assess "Arsenal" as an excellent film. The story on its own isn't really brilliant or innovative. To be honest it's mostly boring and meaningless. The main characters who actually carry the entire film, with Cage in the background acting as an accessory to flare up the tension with bloody and highly aggressive scenes in slow motion, are JP (Adrian Grenier) and Mikey (Johnathon Schaech). The beginning shows how the two experienced their childhood. A not so rosy picture of two future-less teenagers who spend their time hanging around in an arcade, because it isn't so pleasant to be at home. One day Mikey comes home and makes a shocking discovery. That's a crucial moment. From there on their path go into opposite directions. As you can witness when they are adults. JP is the person who walked the honest path. He's the owner of a successful construction company. Mikey on the other hand, has chosen the side of Eddie King and ends up as a small-time gangster. After being robbed and losing a package of valuable drugs and not being able to pay of the money he owns Eddie, the latter has this masterful plan to arrange the matter. Now the truly honest brother must pull out all the stops to save Mikey. And that's what this movie is all about.

The whole movie revolves around the loyalty between the two brothers. Even if Mikey is a loser whose life is a concatenation of making wrong decisions and crime, yet JP remains faithful to him and he does his utmost to free him. And this with the help of Sal, a sort of undercover agent played by John Cusack who's wearing a bandanna and holding an e-cigarette. The only purpose he has is to provide JP the necessary clues so he can track down those who are responsible. Trust me, it sounds more fascinating than it looks. The initiative to fill the film with bloody, raw violent scenes with lot of blood flowing freely out of inflicted injuries from the victims, won't ensure that "Arsenal" rises to an acceptable level. And may I also inform the sports fans for a moment? There's a lot of kicking around, but the film has nothing to do with the famous soccer team.

Ultimately, "Arsenal" didn't become the thriller it intended to be. The story was too simplistic, the violence too excessive and the characters too one-sided and uninspired. Strange but true, the only bright spot in this film is the exorbitant and crazy role played by Cage. Normally, the failure of a film is mostly due to the failure of Cage's contribution. "Arsenal" is in my opinion a low-budget movie with kinda sounding names participating in it. Yet another proof that this isn't a guarantee to get an excellent end result. Finally, the most striking fact I saw in this film. Despite 23 years passed and the two brothers grew into adult men with graying hair and beard, Eddie King still had the same appearance. Apparently sniffing hallucinogenic drugs has a preservative effect.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

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Paul Wycherley from paisley
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Arsenal or southern fury is a surprising adrenaline crime and betrayal film that is much better than you think.

Mickey and his brother JP have not had the best start in life but along the way the 2 brothers picked different paths with JP becoming a successful construction owner and Mikey a life of drugs and quick buck.

Despite their differences a brothers love is unbreakable with JP always looking out for his troubled older brother Mikey, throw in a erratic local mobster (Nicholas Cage) and detective and family friend (John Cusack) and you have the ingredients of a great film.

Gotta say the plot as basic as it is it's put together really well with some brutal scenes and a story that's told between the characters Arsenal is a great film, with great acting from JP (Adrian Grenier) and (Johnathan schaech) who plays Mikey, with a great supporting role from Nicholas Cage and John Cusack. yes you did read that right Cage and Cusack are great in this film.

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FlashCallahan from Leicester, United Kingdom
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Mikey and JP, had only each other to rely on growing up, after their Uncle committed suicide.

As adults, JP found success as the owner of a construction company, while Mikey became a small-time mobster, stuck in a life of petty crime.

When Mikey is kidnapped and held for a ransom by a ruthless crime- lord called Eddie King, JP turns to their old friend Sal, a plain clothes detective for help.

In order to rescue his brother, JP risks everything and unleashes vengeance against King........

When a features Cage in nothing more than a small supporting role, and his name is strewn across all promotional material, and more or less ignoring the other stars, you know this film is pretty desperate to catch a cinematic release.

Just of late, Cage has made some impressive films. Army Of One was one of his finest performances in years, and Trust and Dog Eat Dog, whilst not cinematic masterpieces, had Cage on top form.

Now I may be bias, but I am a Cage completest, and although I know he has made some terrible films in the last five years, I know the man can put in a really good performance when he wants to.

Here, it's not one of his greatest roles, but take away the stupid wig and even sillier prosthesis, he's harking back to his psychotic persona that made his performances a joy to watch.

The rest of the film and cast though leaves a lot to be desired, Grenier hasn't the looks or the intimidation to play somebody bound to vengeance, it would have been a lot better and convincing if Schaech swapped roles with him.

And then there's John Cusack, really not looking like he knows what film he's in, another wonderful actor who appears to be coasting for the majority of the film.

The use of slow motion is pretty inventive, but believe me, I've never seen slow motion this slow since 2012's Dredd.

It's not going to get Cage any new fans, but personally, I thought his maniacal persona as Eddie added a little bit of spice that this film needed.

If your a Cage fan, I urge you to see it, if your a Cage hater, see it for his daft wig and nose.

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viewsonfilm.com from United States
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2017's Arsenal is my latest review. At just over an hour and a half, it feels irrelevant and contains blackish cinematography. More importantly, it's a turgid, bloody mess.

Arsenal stars Nicolas Cage and John Cusack. These are two guys you rarely see in commercial movies anymore. They wear sunglasses the whole time, perhaps to indicate that they're embarrassed to be on screen. I don't blame them. Arsenal ain't no surprise sequel to Con Air people.

Arsenal also stars Adrian Grenier. Like in his TV show Entourage, Grenier's trouper takes care of, and/or succeeds his older brother. Grenier at age 40, literally looks like he's in college. Seriously, what's that dude's secret?

Finally, Steven C. Miller is Arsenal's schlock director. As a D-list monger, he has a routine. His movies mostly have one word titles, his movie posters all have the same Sicario-like resemblance (look at Extraction, Arsenal, and Marauders), and he lets other, Hollywood aspirates write his scripts for him. The only thing missing from Miller's latest is paycheck happy, Bruce Willis. Oh wait, Willis is set to appear in Miller's upcoming First Kill. Hmm, I can't wait for that one.

In regards to watching Arsenal, you can tell that Steve Miller has a real hard-on for sensationalized violence. He's "The Joker" or just a joke (subtle musical reference for ya). His film may be listed as a crime thriller but it comes off as nasty horror fare. There's jilted camera-work, slow-motion images of bullets, and slow-motion depictions of overdone bloodletting. Characters endure beatings and torture so outlandish, you'd think they'd land in a coma (but they don't). It's all so perverse and utterly ridiculous.

The plot, which includes a long-winded flashback between young bros, is about kidnapping, drugs, mob ties, and southern chic (Mississippi to be exact).

Arsenal has Nic Cage playing a hammy crime boss named Eddie King (that sounds original… not!). He looks like a 1960's relic with parted mop top and Marlboro mustache in tow. Meanwhile, Jonathon Schaech channels Mikey Lindel, the dude King takes hostage. Schaech with unrecognizable scruff and standoffish demeanor, comes off as the poor man's Jon Hamm (ha ha). Adrian Grenier (mentioned earlier) takes on the role of JP, a successful business owner who turns cutthroat trying to save Mikey from the clutches of Eddie. Lastly, John Cusack sort of phones it in as blowy confidant and dirty detective Sal. Johnny boy was probably too busy worrying about his Chicago Cubs (and their inevitable World Series title) to push his performance. There's a shocker.

In conclusion, I'm not sure why this movie is titled Arsenal. I guess it's because there are some guns involved. How convenient. How avant- garde. Oh and how the heck did I get duped into paying $7.99 to watch this thing. Ugh! Rating: 1 and a half stars.

brother brother relationship|baseball|baseball bat|selling guns|torture|violence|hit in the face|video games|pocket money|

AKAs Titles:


Certifications:
Netherlands:16 / UK:18 / USA:R