On paper, the idea of a mass-breakout within a prison space station makes Lockout seem like a perfect science fiction action film, one that may not be entirely original, but one that could prove ridiculously entertaining if executed correctly. Now, Guy Pearce may not be the first name that comes to mind when one thinks “action hero,” and Maggie Grace isn’t exactly a household name, but in all honesty, I was sold on Lockout the second I saw Luc Besson’s name attached to the project. As a writer and producer, Luc Besson is responsible for some truly kick-ass action films, the best-known and most successful being the Transporter series that made Jason Statham a star, as well as 2008’s surprise Liam Neeson juggernaut, Taken. With an intriguing premise and the backing of Besson’s impressive reputation, Lockout certainly generated significant interest when the trailer first hit, but FilmDistrict inexplicably chose a remarkably subdued marketing campaign that caused awareness to plummet. So, while it was unlikely to break any box office records, there was a chance that this under-the-radar action film could surpass expectations and build considerable momentum thanks to positive word of mouth.
Wow, I have seen and reviewed over 130 films since I started this blog, and never before have I ever come across a lazier, stereotypical, contrived piece of cinematic garbage, one that is horrible in nearly every way imaginable and that is insulting to the intelligence of its intended audience. Whether it is in its characters, dialogue, narrative progression, or action sequences, Lockout is shockingly illogical, a shortcoming that is only further emphasized with bad direction, jumpy editing, and downright cartoonish CGI. For the life of me, I cannot imagine how three different writers and two directors could look at Lockout and be satisfied with the finished work…you will find yourself laughing at the sheer nonsense that is ultimately presented as “original” and is yet ridiculously predictable. To be fair, Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace do seem to try with the material they are given, but if you have ever seen an action film, then you have seen these characters before; simply put, both actors deserved better. Lacking any redeeming quality whatsoever and generating far too many unanswered questions, I cannot emphasize enough how much you need to avoid the ridiculously bad Lockout, which took an intriguing concept and seemed to go out of its way to destroy any chance at genuine entertainment value.
Overall Recommendation: Very Low
