Very disappointing...

So much average

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

SNITCH has a decent story at heart but in the end it turns out to be just another star vehicle, this time for actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. I appreciate that this is a thriller that eschews tired action sequences to concentrate on suspenseful storytelling, but for the most part the film-making on display here is distinctly average. Two previously watered-down thrillers I watched with Mark Wahlberg, CONTRABAND and BROKEN CITY, were much, much, better.Still, there's much worse than SNITCH out there, and if you're a fan of any of the main actors here then you'll probably enjoy it, because this is an actor's film at heart. Johnson is tough and stoic as the lead, but the supporting cast really shines: Susan Sarandon brings energy and vitality to only a few minutes of screen time, while Barry Pepper is an ever-kooky presence. Better still is Jon Bernthal, of THE WALKING DEAD, who brings much of the same brooding intensity to the role as he did as Shane in that TV series. TV fans will be in their element with the additional casting of Michael Kenneth Williams, aka Chalky from BOARDWALK EMPIRE, as a drug dealer. The film itself and the story might be distinctly forgettable, but it's the cast that makes this worthwhile.

Compelling, gripping, magnetic characters, invested, these are words that can only best describe this film in it's entirety. Ric Roman Waugh brings this based on true events story to life and gives the audience a superb ride. Dwayne Johnson has strongly developed his acting ability as Business owner and family man John Matthews. The performance is well played out and shows good emotion and raw talent. In a supporting role Jon Bernthal (Shane-Walking Dead) portrays an ex con Daniel James who gets wrapped back into the life through developments of John's actions. These two actors played terrific off one another. Susan Sarandon's character of a high no BS politician with an agenda is done with vigor and tenacity. The surprise here is a supporting role by Barry pepper as an FBI agent who comes across hard but fair and plays rather compelling to the plot line. This film truly is a testament as to just how far a person will go when it comes to family and the risks they are willing to take.

If you had seen the plot of Snitch prior to watching it, I'm sure you were like "great, I have seen this film a thousand times before." Well, now that we agreed how generic the plot is, now I can mention how awesome this film is. Snitch does an effective job of keeping us thinking throughout and there are some clever plot twists hidden in the film. This film is well-acted and it scores bonus points being based on a true story. But this isn't that action film you're expecting, it's a thriller that take it's time to tell the story.Ric Roman Waugh's film is about a father named John Matthews whose son was sentenced to federal prison because of some idiotic drug deals. In order to get his son a lighter sentence, Matthews agrees to go undercover for the DEA. But as he goes in deeper and deeper, it becomes harder and harder to protect his identity.This is by far Dwayne Johnson's best role. From his role in 2002's The Scorpion King to present, he has truly matured as an actor. He has changed so dramatically and I would have never thought he would be effective in a film like this. No one could have been better than Dwayne here. Barry Pepper and his unfortunate beard does a great job here. Susan Sarandon also does a wonderful job as the U.S District Attorney.Overall, Snitch is a great thriller that is based off fact. Apparently, people can go undercover and rat out other drug dealers in order for lighter prison terms. This film may stretch it's plausibility just a little bit, but this is a movie so that is forgiven. There is some action here, but if you're looking for an adrenaline rush, you should look elsewhere. I rate this film 9/10.

To be honest I thought this film would be a "should've-been-straight-to-video" type of movie, but I decided to take a chance with it and, damn, was I shocked it kept me interested until the credits started rolling. I haven't been a big fan of Dwayne Johnson as a film star, but he's surely trying his hardest to prove people like me otherwise. The story immediately pulled me in and at some points I wanted more to happen in it, for it to make a sort of political statement on the frailties of the drug war, but all that kind of stuff considered, the filmmakers didn't bother with it, being that it more focused on the father-son relationship. Themes like that in films keep me intrigued and interested no matter how criticized the films are. The screenplay could have been better, and the film as a whole could have been more in depth, but that wasn't the point.