Law Abiding Citizen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grieving dad goes full MacGyver in prison to prove a point about plea bargains, but mostly just blows stuff up, so the D.A. is forced to listen to classical music.

🍿 Law Abiding Citizen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Home Invasion and Flawed Justice

The film opens with Clyde Shelton’s family being brutally murdered during a home invasion. The perpetrators, Clarence Darby and Rupert Ames, are apprehended, but due to lack of concrete evidence, Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice makes a deal with Darby to testify against Ames in exchange for a lighter sentence. This decision devastates Shelton, who feels justice has not been served.

Ten Years Later: Revenge Begins

A decade later, Ames’s execution goes horribly wrong, revealing evidence of tampering. Shortly after, Darby is found brutally murdered. Nick Rice suspects Shelton, who turns himself in but skillfully exposes flaws in the prosecution’s case. From behind bars, Shelton begins a calculated campaign of revenge against those he deems responsible for the injustice, proving to be several steps ahead of law enforcement.

Escalating Chaos and Unveiling Shelton’s Past

Shelton continues his killing spree from prison, using elaborate and seemingly impossible methods. As the body count rises, Rice investigates Shelton’s past, discovering he was a highly skilled operative with expertise in covert operations and assassination techniques. The city descends into chaos as Shelton targets judges, lawyers, and anyone connected to the original case, all while taunting Rice with his superior intellect and planning.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler): A grieving father and former intelligence operative who seeks revenge on the corrupt justice system after his family’s murderers receive lenient sentences.
• Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx): An ambitious District Attorney who initially prioritizes his conviction rate over true justice, leading to a conflict with Clyde Shelton.
• Sarah Lowell (Leslie Bibb): A dedicated prosecutor and colleague of Nick Rice who becomes a victim of Clyde Shelton’s elaborate revenge plot.
• Detective Dunnigan (Colm Meaney): A seasoned police detective who assists Nick Rice in investigating Clyde Shelton’s crimes and uncovering his methods.
• Jonas Cantrell (Bruce McGill): The District Attorney and Nick Rice’s superior, who faces the consequences of the legal system’s flaws.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Clyde Shelton: “I’m gonna pull the whole diseased, corrupt temple down on your head. It’s gonna be biblical.” – Shelton declares his intention to dismantle the justice system that failed him.
• Clyde Shelton: “I’m a law abiding citizen, that’s why I know so much about the law.” – Shelton ironically states this when pointing out the legal loopholes he exploits.
• Nick Rice: “Some justice is better than no justice.” – Rice justifies his plea bargain, highlighting the compromises made in the legal system.
• Clyde Shelton: “There’s a storm coming, Nick. And I am the storm.” – Shelton ominously warns Rice of the chaos he is about to unleash.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $73,357,727
• Worldwide Gross: $127,944,208

💥 Law Abiding Citizen Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in theaters and being totally hooked by the first half! Gerard Butler was terrifyingly awesome as he started taking down the system, one gruesome kill at a time. I was so ready for this intense, dark ending…but then…Hollywood happened. It felt like they chickened out and gave us a cop-out ending where Jamie Foxx suddenly becomes the hero. So frustrating! It definitely soured the whole movie for me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about revenge and justice”
  • “Those who appreciate films with intricate plots and unexpected twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Torture”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Though it offers a few moments of pulpy tension, ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ ultimately succumbs to a ridiculous plot and thinly-drawn characters, squandering its potential for thought-provoking thrills. The ending is especially weak, undermining the film’s initial premise.
• Hollywood Reporter: “The film’s suspenseful setup and Butler’s chilling performance are let down by increasingly implausible plot twists and a disappointing resolution. The commentary on the justice system is superficial, overshadowed by the over-the-top violence.
• Variety: “‘Law Abiding Citizen’ starts strong with a compelling premise and solid performances, but the plot quickly spirals into absurdity, sacrificing logic for shock value. The film’s message gets lost in the mayhem, leaving viewers with a hollow experience.

Audience Reactions

The inventive and brutal methods of revenge were incredibly captivating and kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: Many appreciated the initial concept of a man outsmarting the system from prison.

Butler’s intense performance was particularly praised.: Gerard Butler’s portrayal of a man seeking justice was memorable and compelling, even if his actions were extreme.

Overall Consensus: A thriller with a promising start that ultimately fails to deliver due to an increasingly far-fetched plot and a weak, unsatisfying ending. While Butler’s performance is noteworthy, the film’s message is muddled by its over-the-top violence.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director F. Gary Gray decided to use Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse as the restaurant that caters Clyde’s lunch after dining there several times during filming. The restaurant was also the location of the film’s after-party following its screening at the Philadelphia Film Festival.”
• “The film explores themes of justice, revenge, and the flaws within the legal system, sparking debate among viewers regarding the morality of vigilantism.”

🖥️ How to Watch Law Abiding Citizen?

Law Abiding Citizen is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or buy the movie. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Law Abiding Citizen, you might like these similar films:

• Death Wish (1974): Explores the theme of a regular citizen turning vigilante after his family is victimized by crime.
• Seven (1995): Features a similar dark and twisted plot with a criminal who justifies his actions based on a warped sense of morality.
• Prisoners (2013): Tackles the theme of how far a person will go for revenge, and how revenge can warp one’s moral compass.
• Fracture (2007): Features a protagonist who manipulates the legal system from behind bars, showcasing a battle of wits between a criminal and a prosecutor.

🛒 Law Abiding Citizen Related Products

• Law Abiding Citizen [Blu-ray]: Relive the thrills and suspense of Law Abiding Citizen in high-definition. Perfect for fans of the film to add to their collection and experience the movie’s intense moments in stunning clarity.
• Gerard Butler Autographed Photo: Own a piece of Law Abiding Citizen history with a rare autographed photo of Gerard Butler as Clyde Shelton. A valuable addition to any movie memorabilia collection.
• Prison Break: The Complete Series [DVD]: For viewers who loved Law Abiding Citizen’s prison themes. Enjoy all of the plot twists and turns of Prison Break, a classic prison drama, from the beginning to end.
• Executioner Axe Weapon Toy Novelty Tool [Halloween]: A fun and easy weapon toy to use for Halloween. The perfect accessory for a movie night and fun times, and it can also be used to make a costume that is both creative and interesting.

🎧 Soundtrack

Law Abiding Citizen features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mr. Tambourine Man” – performed by The Studio Sound Ensemble

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Gerard Butler Breaks Down His Career, from ‘300’ to ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ | Vanity Fair

Curious about the story behind the film? Gerard Butler shares his thoughts on his character and the making of ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ in this insightful interview.

Top 10 Gerard Butler Movies

Discover the top movies starring Gerard Butler, including ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ and other acclaimed performances.

Top 20 Execution Scenes in Movies

Brace yourself for a thrilling countdown! This video features the most iconic execution scenes in movies, including the unforgettable moment from ‘Law Abiding Citizen’.

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