Fight choreographer turned filmmaker Art Camacho has enlisted R&B singer Tyrese and Oscar nominee Harvey Keitel for his latest film, “The Wrecker.”
The film begins with Detective Boswell (Tyrese), who helplessly watches his partner lose his life on the orders of crime boss Dante (Keitel). In the aftermath, Boswell heads to Las Vegas, seeking revenge.
Meanwhile, in Sin City, Tony Minetti (Niko Foster), a dishonorably discharged ex-Marine turned high-end car mechanic, is building a quiet life as he raises his two young daughters and juggles a romance with a waitress named Cheryl (Mena Suvari). However, when his reckless brother Bobby (Chad Michael Collins) crosses the powerful crime boss, Tony is dragged back into a world of violence.
Refusing to work for Dante, Tony becomes a target, leading to a brutal act of revenge that shatters his life. Only Boswell and his mentor (Danny Trejo) can save him. Outnumbered but unstoppable, Tony transforms into The Wrecker, a relentless force of vengeance with no brakes.
One of my pastimes growing up as a teenager in the nineties was watching low-budget action films premiere on one of the premium channels. As an avid reader of film credits, I’ve always noticed Art Camacho listed as the fight coordinator. The director’s latest film reminds me of the movie I used to watch in the nineties.
While they are featured prominently on the poster and do have substantial parts, Tyrese and Harvey Keitel are here to serve as foils to the film’s lead character. In the role of Tony, Niko Foster is giving off Patrick Swayze vibes. His dialogue can come off clunky at times, and while this is an action film, there were times when it felt like he was reading cue cards. However, he was hired to kick ass, and for the most part, he delivers on that front.
As for the rest of the cast, they are clearly here to drum up interest from their respective fan bases while collecting a paycheck. Tyrese looks bored throughout most of the film, while Harvey Keitel is very hammy. Danny Trejo does his Danny Trejo thing while Mena Suvari phones it in. Stephanie Lynn Styles is more closely associated with her villainous role, particularly in relation to women.
While I didn’t expect “John Wick” style action, there was just something missing for me with “The Wrecker”.
Final Grade: D+
“The Wrecker” opens in limited release this Friday, October 31st.
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