Snitch Directed by: Ric Roman Waugh Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Benjamin Bratt Rating: PG-13 Release Date: February 22, 2013
TRAILER SCORE: 7/10
Thoughts by TSR: Dwayne Johnson was a fantastic addition to the Fast and Furious franchise, and he was fun in The Other Guys, but none of his other projects in the past few years have been very interesting. He's mostly been doing kids movies – Faster, a film I never saw, being an exception – and that has been quite disappointing. That's why I'm holding on to some modicum of hope that Snitch can be a return to badass form. I'm not saying it will be, but this trailer makes it seem like it could be a solid February release.
If nothing else it will have a great cast. In addition to Johnson we have Susan Sarandon, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jon Bernthal, and Barry Pepper's ridiculous facial hair. Sarandon appears to have a thankless role, but Williams and Pepper look to be having fun. We also have some solid action in the trailer's latter half. There's something about The Rock shooting a shotgun while driving a semi that is very appealing to me, so at least we'll have that.
Apparently this thing is "inspired by true events." That seems preposterous. With Dwayne Johnson as the father going through with this plea deal, however, I think I'll be willing to roll with it. Snitch comes out two days before the 85th Academy Awards ceremony and looks like it could be an entertaining bit of counterprogramming as awards season winds down.