“10 people will fight. 9 people will die. You get to watch.”



The Condemned
Starring Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vinnie Jones, Rick Hoffman
Written by Scott Wiper and Rob Hedden
Directed by Scott Wiper


With mass audiences migrating over to the internet for their “tubing” -- the concept behind the Condemned is a very plausible one. Why go to the major networks that are controlled by censors when you can stream your show live to the world and have content like a death fight between 10 death row convicts on a secret remote island with freedom being the prize. The concept is nothing new as we have seen the same plot used in The Running Man and Battle Royale and unfortunately for the audience not quite as entertaining either.

Whether you watch professional wrestling or not, you are probably aware of a character named Stone Cold Steve Austin. He is the star of The Condemned, co-produced by the film division of WWE (his employer). There is no arguing the fact that he is an entertaining fellow and whenever he appears on screen, you do find yourself paying attention and entertained. Unfortunately, the director doesn’t know how to make a good action film.

Director Scott Wiper shoots the fight sequences with very narrow angles and doesn’t quite know how to “show-off” the talent. All the audience really sees is a whole bunch of blur and no clear action. He unfortunately is not a very good writer either (co-writer with Rob Hedden). Like I said, the premise of the film is an entertaining one based on previous films that have used it -- but The Condemned just comes off uneven and unclear. I have never been so bored at an action film before.

Being a fan of the WWE and action films -- I was sorely disappointed with The Condemned. I came out of the theater with a headache and “stone cold” bored out of my mind.