Grade: C

The latest from director Steven Soderbergh hit theaters this weekend. Haywire is packed with an all star cast including newcomer Gina Carano, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Bill Paxton, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas. So with a list of names like that, it was one of my most anticipated films of the year.

Haywire takes us on a ride with an agent who is betrayed by her boss, essentially setting her up to take the fall for his dirty deal. They messed with the wrong girl, because she isn’t going down without a fight.

The fight scenes are where this movie excels, as they are incredibly realistic looking. No doubt thanks to the fact they hired Carano who is an MMA fighter. The film unfortunately fails to work everywhere else, feeling incredibly scattered and long. With a whopping 90 minute running time, I don’t know how they pulled off making it drag.

The messy movie is almost an insult to talent included in it, especially the likes of Fassbender. His character being nothing more than a short lasting plot device. Ultimately the director left the story to be carried along by the amateur Carano, which was not a great idea. They made Justin Timberlake play second fiddle a few times before finally giving him his own movie to carry, what made anyone think she was ready?

Yes I know Carano is originally from Dallas, and yes I’m a little scared if she reads this she might show up at my door ready to kick my teeth in.  But it’s like anyone who makes the crossover to acting, you have to test the waters. It’s a rare thing when you find some unknown on the street who can carry their own movie, with no experience what so ever. It happens but its rare.

Ultimately I would tell you to save your money and wait to rent it at Red Box for a buck.