"Sincerity within a grindhouse style tale of violence often falls flat or comes across corny due to the inherent over the top absurdity that is usually found in the genre, however Brawl in Cell Block 99 is an expertly blended tale that mixes brutal violence, dark comedy, and genuine emotion.
Vince Vaughn is phoenix-like in his rise from the ashes of generic comedies to playing a menacing, foreboding protagonist that uses his huge frame to brilliant effect.
The plot of a man down on his luck who gets involved in the drug industry to support his wife may feel steeped in cliche but its decision to play it completely straight only enhances the tension and feeling of stakes once the movie moves to its jail setting almost half way through the film.
Like a train with broken brakes, Vaughn methodically ploughs through all obstruction to reach the man he must kill to free his kidnapped wife. The violence is strong but not overly used to fatigue - each action scene is methodically considered and only erupts on the audience when needed to evolve the story or character.
It's brash and extreme but never needlessly sadistic, even at its gnarliest"
- 7/10
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