Film Review – Terminal

The criminal interests of hoodlums in a seedy underworld is a topic covered by many movies, and writer/director Vaughn Stein is trying to add to that legacy with “Terminal.” The corrosive attitude of the material is instantly recognizable, and Stein appears to be aware that he’s stepping on ground Tarantino and Ritchie have already marked time and again, inspiring him to eschew grand acts of violence for a more conversational tone to his depiction of troubled people involved in awful deeds. Stein keeps his crooks loquacious for “Terminal,” which, despite its heavy cinematic look, is actually more of a filmed play, watching characters engage one another through monologuing and flaccid banter. Despite its visit to a neon jungle with morally questionable characters, this neo-noir doesn’t possess enough ferocity to secure Stein’s trip into Hell, with the helmer investing in extended conversations, not brute force, while his handle on mystery leave much to be desired.  Read the rest at Blu-ray.com