Outcast

Title: Outcast (15)

Year: 2014

Running Time: 99 minutes

Director:  Nick Powell

Cast: Nicholas Cage (Gallaine), Hayden Christensen (Jacob), Liu Yifei (Lian)

Notes: None.

Rating: 5

Thoughts:   Two embittered Crusaders become embroiled in a dynastic struggle in China, and must overcome their own demons.

The script isn't the best and the story is just a bit predictable. And that's a shame as the premise of Crusaders popping up in China is interesting.

It just seems to take a long time to get anywhere. The fighting might be quite good but I really don't like the way it is shot, losing any feeling of art in the swordplay.

Add that to the average dialogue and this starts to curdle. They just don't seem to make much use of their assets.

The countryside must be more beautiful than the limited close shots we see. The back story of Gallaine needs to be explored more. It just seems to be lost opportunities throughout.

This lacks sufficent action or depth to be rated any better, but could easily be improved if some things were tightened.