Death Sentence (2007) -vs- The Brave One (2007)
Do-It Yourself Justice
The Smackdown. The problem with being a vigilante is that it's illegal. So if you take the law into your own hands to get the justice you think the system is denying you, you're still likely to get the system to throw the book at you. 
Not practical for the average guy. Going back to Charles Bronson in "Death Wish," films become the way for crime victims to stand up to the really bad guys when the cops or the judges won't do it for you. 2007 saw the vigilante film genre in strong resurgence with two revenge flicks that came at the story completely differently: one from a man's point of view, and one from a woman's perspective. For purposes of this Smackdown, Jody Foster and "The Brave One" get to the be the defending champion because that film managed $70-million in worldwide box office while Kevin Bacon and "Death Sentence" have to challenge, having made less than $16-million. Money can't buy you love, though, especially here at Movie Smackdown. Here's a battle of the sexes to see who made revenge the sweetest.
The Challenger. In "Death Sentence" Kevin Bacon is Nick Hume, an ordinary businessman, husband, and father who suddenly finds his world destroyed by a senseless act of violence. His oldest son is killed before his eyes in a robbery. The culprit, a young initiate into a gang, is set free. Vengeful, Nick confronts him and winds up stabbing him. Now they're even, right? Hardly. Culprit's older brother and his gang don't think so and target Nick and his family. The violence escalates until Nick's family is killed and he goes after the gang on their turf in the bloody finale.
The Defending Champion. "The Brave One" stars Jody Foster as Erica Bain, a successful radio host engaged to her soul mate, David (Naveen Andrews, 'Lost'). Her ideal life becomes a nightmare when they're brutally attacked by thugs while walking their dog in Central Park. David dies and Erica is left alone and paranoid. Naturally she buys a gun. While in a liquor store, she shoots the robber. While riding a subway, she shoots two muggers. While out walking, she saves a whore and shoots a pimp. Just to mix things up a bit, she bashes a mobster's skull in with a crowbar. Then, when she finds out where her attackers hang out, she blows 'em away, one by one.
The Scorecard. "The Brave One" has a refreshing, emotional introspection via a woman in the traditional male role. With Jody Foster taking back the streets from scum, Charles Bronson never looked so good. And with Terrence Howard ("Hustle and Flow") as the Detective breathing down her neck who'd rather be sharing her bed, it's exceptionally crafted by director Neil Jordan ("The Crying Game").
"Death Sentence" as the name implies is much more visceral. Director James Wan ('Saw') effectively creates tension with his camera work that takes you right into the action. Though Kelly Preston (Mrs. John Travolta) is underused as Bacon's wife. The climax is a direct homage to the classic shoot out in "Taxi Driver".
The Decision. As much as I appreciate "The Brave One" as the thinking (wo)man's revenge movie, I like my vigilante bloody, in your face, and without remorse. That what you get when Bacon lets the footloose up the bad guy's asses. The winner: "Death Sentence."
Want a second opinion? Mark Sanchez reviewed the same two films when they first came out. Read Mark's review of Death Sentence (2007) -vs- The Brave One (2007).
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