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Home Entertaiment: ‘Avengement’ DVD Review

Dazzler Media

Scott Adkins has been a busy man in the past few years. After building up an impressive resume of international martial arts flicks, the Birmingham-born star has made some great appearances in both The Expendables 2 and Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange. Suffice to say, the modern action man has earned some time for creative exploration. After gifting audiences with the criminally underrated cult hit Accident Man, Adkins has re-teamed with director Jesse V. Johnson and writer (Stu Small) once again in Avengement.

The film focuses on Cain Burgess, a man sent to prison after being caught up in a series of unfortunate circumstances, while trying to secure a loan from his less-than-reputable brother. Following his incarceration, Cain transforms himself into living warrior to avoid being murdered from the inside. Once he escapes, he stages an elaborate revenge mission that takes place inside the small confines of a local pub.

Upon first inspection it may seem like a simplistic story, that many have seen before in higher budget productions. The beauty of the film however, is that its lower production values actually feed into its core concept and visual aesthetic. In a rare fusion of genres, Avengement beautifully straddles a bizarre line between gritty, British-crime, and high concept martial arts adrenaline.

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This allows the cast to deliver authentic and believable characters, while also giving Adkins the ability to deliver his trademark physicality and fighting skills. That said, this is a refreshing platform for him to showcase the acting abilities Hollywood took far too long to realise. This is, after all, the man that spent years at the centre of numerous fan-campaigns for the role of Batman. Make no mistake, Adkins is certainly convincing as someone who can single-handedly take on a gang of thugs with his bare hands.

With a reported budget of around a million British pounds, every penny is clearly focused squarely on keeping the films visuals in line with its narrative. This creates some dark and blood-thirsty imagery to accompany its toe-curlingly violent action sequences. The majority of the run time takes place inside the pub held ransom by Cain, while the story unfolds through flashbacks. This is extremely effective in building tension before the inevitably intense climax. Thankfully, the sequence most of the budget was undoubtedly spent on, satisfies on virtually every level.

There are also some equally impressive performances from Craig Fairbrass (Rise of the Footsoldier, the upcoming Villain), Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smokin’ Barrels), and Thomas Turgoose (This is England) as the hilarious comic-relief. This interesting concoction of British stars only adds to the blender-mix of talent that elevates this concept to new levels of enjoyment.

If there is anything left to be desired from this brilliantly experimental labour of love, it’s a stronger explanation of Cain’s life before prison. A more in-depth exploration of the man he was prior, could have helped greatly in building sympathy for his cause. Although, there is an argument to be made that the strength of the films final act is enough justification for its creative choices. After all, it’s all about the journey and once you strap in, viewers will definitely be eager to see Cain receive his Avengement.

AVENGEMENT is available now on Blu ray, DVD and digital download. 

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