Sometimes a Hero (2003) User Reviews

one of the worst ever

[pomoman · 1/10 · 10 March 2005]

i checked this one out on DVD for a dollar so I could easily smile as this dreadful movie unfolds. every time that you think it cannot get any worse, it inevitably does. The acting is absolutely horrific. the plot makes no sense at all. The title "cold vengeance" in the US DVD version has absolutely nothing to do with the script. The action scenes are so obviously taken in their first take. There are lots of mistakes during dialogues indicating that there is just no intend to do another take to at least try to make this movie bearable. I cannot remember having seen a worse movie and I do occasionally get bad ones--well, except for unstoppable with Wesley Snipes. No, who am I kidding, while a bad one, Unstoppable deserves Best Picture awards at the Oscars when compared to this piece of crap.

Simple, effective, and a nice smooth story.

[cydonian_warrior · 10/10 · 24 March 2003]

Cold Vengeance (Sometimes A Hero) mixes guns, figure skating, martial arts, and love in this modern day Romeo and Juliet. An action film that actually cares about the story, Cold Vengeance doesn't try to rush us through to the obvious explosive climax. It was a pleasure going on the ride the film offered. The best film I've seen in the past 5 years.

Bryan Genesse rocks!

[boohootwo · 10/10 · 2 July 2003]

For all you Genesse fans, Cold Vengeance is the movie for you! Bryan plays Remo, a dark and disturbed gang member who is relentless in his want to do his job. Is he good? Is he bad? Noone knows until the end!

I loved this movie so much I've added it to my DVD collection! Way to go Bryan!

A nice bit of independant movie making

[woodcellar2003 · 10/10 · 19 June 2003]

A nice film with no intention of trying to improve the genre. Jimmy Coy (Josh Barker) is a bad guy trying to find a reason to go good. He finds that reason in the very beautiful Cassandra (Kristina Cox), and that's the story. Sure the movie throws in guns, karate kicks, and explosions, but hell, it's an action film!

The DVD quality is wonderful and you can tell they spent some money on this 'straight to video' project. All the fights (except for the two women) were very realistic, and the acting wasn't too bad with the exception of the evil gang leader, he was just brutal and I suspect the reason this film couldn't make it to the big screen. I was bummed that the DVD had no real special features. Commentary from the Director would've been nice, or a Making Of featurette, or something.

Also after watching this movie, I'm shocked they changed the title from Sometimes A Hero, it sounds much more poetic than Cold Vengeance, but maybe it's too poetic for the beer-guzzling rednecks that this genre is obviously geared for. I guess brainless titles are a staple of the B-level machismo film world.

In conclusion, I lost a bet with my friends on video night and one of the guys picked Cold Vengeance from the rental shelf, I cringed and complained, but was very surprised to find myself pulled into Jimmy Coy's world by a slick director who knows how to keep a viewer. All I'll say is, well done.

A good film, it's as simple as that.

[triplethreat_action · 10/10 · 6 July 2003]

Cold Vengeance is a great way to spend a lonely summer evening. I was surprised to see a Canadian film so well put together. The acting was great, with the exception of the actors portraying Leon and Russ (stinky). I was however, dragged into the story with an explosive beginning and great introductions to the heroes of the film.

Jimmy Coy is an anti-hero. A good guy in a bad situation trying to the do the right thing even though he's from the wrong side of the tracks. You feel for this guy right away. The female lead, Cassandra has problems of her own, and when she and Jimmy fall for one another, you know the fireworks are about to begin.

The story was well paced, and the dialogue seemed very natural. But the best, the biggest thrill for me was seeing figure skater Roselle Soussana in this film. I watch Roselle years ago when she competed in skating competitions in England and in my humble opinion (I skated for years), she's the perfect definition of artistry and grace, the most beautiful skater I have ever seen, and probably ever will see. My only complaint about this film was I wanted to see more from Roselle. Such a talent as hers needs to be seen, I wish her all the success.

Cold Vengeance is good. A nice film with simple values, a great pleasure to watch.

Sometimes an unexpected surprise!

[gabe_rosen · 10/10 · 14 April 2003]

Cold Vengeance (aka Sometimes A Hero) is a very good attempt at making a mature action film that young teens can watch. Very little foul language and almost no blood. The characters are well developed and if you overlook a few continuity errors and some very poor acting from one of the young villains (Darren Shahlavi), it's a very enjoyable film.

This movie will not win an academy award, but it's the best film I've ever seen with Jalal Merhi's name attached to it, most times I start rewinding his films before the characters are even introduced. I think that Mr. Merhi has found his calling in directing because I did like the look of the film.

All in all, Cold Vengeance has me looking for the inevitable Cold Vengeance II, but looking forward to it.

An action movie with a story, go figure!

[jaimebloom · 10/10 · 5 April 2003]

SPOILER Though I found the lead actors a little flat, the supporting cast, the excellent locations, along with an actual storyline made this very enjoyable. One of the most heartbreaking moments I've seen in a video rental was the death of the Remo character, didn't see it coming and it threw me for a loop. From a female perspective I though Cassandra was a little too butch, but loved the figure skating and it wasn't overdone, and it was nice to not have to see body doubles, the actress playing Kristina was actually doing the skating.

On a Saturday night with nothing else to do, Cold Vengeance is worth the $5.00.