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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by James Rocchi

In 12 ROUNDS, New Orleans cop Danny Fisher (John Cena) luckily catches international arms dealer Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen). Fisher is promoted for his work, but a year later he still feels remorse over the fact Jackson's girlfriend Erika (Taylor Cole) died during the arrest. Miles is still upset about it, too -- and, having escaped from prison, he proceeds to abduct Fisher's girlfriend Molly (Ashley Scott) and set Fisher a series of 12 tasks. If Fisher fails, Molly dies. ...

Is It Any Good?

2

Directed by Renny Harlin, 12 Rounds doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel; its plot is a recycling of Die Hard With a Vengance, in which a maniacal criminal gives a cop a series of orders that feel like part of a crazy game but actually have a more specific intent than just sowing chaos and despair.

Cena's dedicated tough-guy cop is adequate -- as an actor, Cena's a heck of a wrestler -- and Gillen (best known as Baltimore Mayor Tommy Carcetti on The Wire) brings a fevered energy to his role as the master manipulator bad guy, an arms dealer who has more in common with comic-book geniuses like The Joker than real arms traders. While 12 Rounds is well-made and energetic, it isn't unique enough to go the distance.

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