Hunt to Kill

This Steve Austin movie is a good deal simpler and more streamlined than his earlier attempts, incorporating elements from action franchises like Rambo and Die Hard. The setup isn't bad, showing the Austin character's backstory, as well as introducing an interesting band of mismatched criminals, each with a particular skill or personality trait. The "deep-in-the-woods" premise offers endless possibility, and the whip-smart villain Banks (Gil Bellows, from Ally McBeal) keeps the heroes on their toes.

However, the filmmakers drop the ball, finding the quarry too early and leaving no room for anything but a brain-dead shoot-out. The setups for the fights are ludicrous, and coincidences and implausible events abound. The relationship between Jim and Kim is bizarre, with her choosing the strangest moments to throw tantrums, and the film has a sickening penchant for violence against women. Any goodwill conjured up in the first half is ultimately demolished.