Seeking Justice
BLU-RAY 
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Director:
Roger Donaldson Actors: Nicolas Cage Guy Pearce January Jones Rating:
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WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
After his wife is randomly attacked and sexually assaulted, Will is approached by a stranger at the hospital offering to kill the rapist in exchange for a favor to be collected in the future. The broken down husband reluctantly agrees, only to find himself tangled in a dangerous web of vengeance and secrets.
IS IT A GOOD MOVIE?
I remember back in March first hearing of a thriller starring Nicolas Cage and Guy Pearce—only to discover it was getting released that same day. Receiving little to no promotion or fanfare is usually a bad sign. In the case of SEEKING JUSTICE, that sadly is the case.
I really enjoy revenge flicks so, in spite of the slim chance of success, I was down for this seeming mix of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and DEATH WISH. It’s honestly a decent enough premise: an underground organization that specializes in anonymous pay-it-forward revenge. It’s the kind of plot you can’t think too much about, but one that could be fun if played right. Unfortunately, SEEKING JUSTICE never strives to be anything more than a standard run-of-the-mill thriller, which is surprising since it comes from director Roger Donaldson, who’s responsible for everything from SPECIES to THIRTEEN DAYS to 2008’s Jason Statham vehicle THE BANK JOB. It’s never terrible but there’s nothing here that feels unique or even that interesting. In fact, it very much comes across like a direct to DVD movie—low rent and generic across the board. (The biggest action beat involves Nicolas Cage running across a busy street during moderate rush hour.) As Cage’s character gets deeper and deeper involved with the mysterious organization, the movie sacrifices more and more logic in the name of paranoia. Towards the end, even the writers realized they made a twisty thriller that didn’t have any twists, so they throw in a completely out-of-left-field reveal for the hell of it.
If you’re curious if Nicolas Cage could save SEEKING JUSTICE with one of his patented crazy performances, I have more bad news. This isn’t the fun, zany Nicolas Cage from KICK ASS or BAD LIEUTENANT, it’s the bored, sleepwalking Nicolas Cage from KNOWING and SEASON OF THE WITCH. My guess is he only signed on because it takes place in his beloved city of New Orleans. Cage has very little chemistry with January Jones, which is crucial to the success of the film, though to his credit Jones is proving to be one of the most uncharismatic and boring actresses working today. Even Guy Pearce, so great in pretty much everything he does, is just showing up for a paycheck.
I suspect that was the case for everyone involved with SEEKING JUSTICE.
I really enjoy revenge flicks so, in spite of the slim chance of success, I was down for this seeming mix of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and DEATH WISH. It’s honestly a decent enough premise: an underground organization that specializes in anonymous pay-it-forward revenge. It’s the kind of plot you can’t think too much about, but one that could be fun if played right. Unfortunately, SEEKING JUSTICE never strives to be anything more than a standard run-of-the-mill thriller, which is surprising since it comes from director Roger Donaldson, who’s responsible for everything from SPECIES to THIRTEEN DAYS to 2008’s Jason Statham vehicle THE BANK JOB. It’s never terrible but there’s nothing here that feels unique or even that interesting. In fact, it very much comes across like a direct to DVD movie—low rent and generic across the board. (The biggest action beat involves Nicolas Cage running across a busy street during moderate rush hour.) As Cage’s character gets deeper and deeper involved with the mysterious organization, the movie sacrifices more and more logic in the name of paranoia. Towards the end, even the writers realized they made a twisty thriller that didn’t have any twists, so they throw in a completely out-of-left-field reveal for the hell of it.
If you’re curious if Nicolas Cage could save SEEKING JUSTICE with one of his patented crazy performances, I have more bad news. This isn’t the fun, zany Nicolas Cage from KICK ASS or BAD LIEUTENANT, it’s the bored, sleepwalking Nicolas Cage from KNOWING and SEASON OF THE WITCH. My guess is he only signed on because it takes place in his beloved city of New Orleans. Cage has very little chemistry with January Jones, which is crucial to the success of the film, though to his credit Jones is proving to be one of the most uncharismatic and boring actresses working today. Even Guy Pearce, so great in pretty much everything he does, is just showing up for a paycheck.
I suspect that was the case for everyone involved with SEEKING JUSTICE.
THE EXTRAS
Behind the Scenes (7:09): This spoileriffic featurette has quick interviews with cast and crew, including Nicolas Cage talking about unleashing his “inner caveman” and admitting he just does whatever Roger Donaldson wants him to do even if he thinks it’s dumb.
Trailer.
Trailer.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS
Despite the presence of Nicolas Cage and Guy Pearce and a premise that could possibly have potential, SEEKING JUSTICE is just a standard paranoia thriller that doesn’t try hard at all. There’s a reason you probably haven’t heard of it.
Extra Tidbit: IronE Singleton, T-Dog from The Walking Dead, is in the cast and he’s treated with pretty much the same level of respect as he is on that show. (None.)
Extra Tidbit: IronE Singleton, T-Dog from The Walking Dead, is in the cast and he’s treated with pretty much the same level of respect as he is on that show. (None.)
