The Marine 2 (2009)

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

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

While on vacation, an American Marine sniper takes on local rebels who have seized control of the island hotel resort where he and his wife, who is now a hostage for ransom, have been staying. The Marine 2 is more fun and action packed than the terrible first installment, Ted Dibiase does a terrific job as the lead both Michael Rooker and Temuera Morrison do a great job as well in their supporting roles. The film has an amazing soundtrack for a straight to DVD sequel and the fight sequence where DiBiase goes against 2 men was so cool. The film kinda feels a bit like 'First Blood' at times without being as good as that film of course, also it doesn't have any of those cheesy one liners or moments that the Original Movie with John Cena had and it's an overall better film both in tone, action, characters and story and it has definitely aged better than i remembered it. (10/10)

After a tough mission, Marine sniper Joe Linwood (Ted DiBiase) goes with his wife Robin to her wealthy demanding client Darren Conner's opening of his tropical paradise resort. They find local guide Church who is a former Ranger. Later that night, they are attacked by a gang of separatist terrorists. The terrorists take Robin, Darren and many others hostage threatening to kill them all in 24 hours. The military is slow to act and mercenaries are called in. Joe goes along on the rescue mission but things don't go right.It's an 80's action B-movie with better production value. The acting is not one of the things that are better. I really like the opening action sequence. However it goes downhill from there. DiBiase and Lara Cox are pretty stiff actors. There is limited chemistry and the movie drags. Even the reliable Michael Rooker cannot save this. The action is well done but I couldn't care less about these characters. It makes the movie nothing more than an exercise in stunts and pyrotechnics.

This movie doesn't take itself seriously and delivers strong action sequences. Considering you don't pay for it in the theaters and you probably will catch it on TV like me, you have nothing to lose but to enjoy a 90 min of brain relaxation with jungle adrenaline. The Asian island setting is lovely to watch with some breathtaking shots of coastal splendor, including a boat cruising a turquoise blue lagoon. Michael Rooker and Temuera Morrison bring class to the cast, their supporting roles are enjoyable to watch, as always with those two. Maybe it's time for a variation of the late great Ebert rule for Emmet Walsh: "No movie starring Temuera Morrison and/or Michael Rooker can't be altogether bad" I think that's true. I saw it in HD, it was nicely shot, action sequences weren't bad except for some really shaky camera during some fist fights. It's not first class, but satisfying. Million dollar man's son is a bit stiff, but he's snatching those sculls not for a quick Hamlet moment, but to smash them into the wall, so he's forgiven. Good movie to kill time and relax your brain.

I really love films like this. Although graphic novels are my favorite military movies are a close second. Wwe superstars have a good eye for taking on scripts that involve a lot of stunt work blowing stuff up and being an action hero. It wasn't as good as the first marine cuz John cena is the original of the marine making him better but John is also more hardcore then Ted. Ted on the other hand really impressed me with his performance he really made feel like he was a marine and for a director to feel a performance is good. Not to mention the fact that the entire film was shot on location no sets at an actual village in phuket. The director chose to shoot on location to give a sense of realism to the film. Ted was jumping through peoples houses on there furniture and everything and everything. The hotel was real there people on holiday there while the crew blew stuff up and Ted fought his way into the hotel it was a crazy but breathtaking way to shoot a picture. The amount of action in the film paces the story along at a nice speed as well. A great piece.