ACTS OF VENGEANCE is another sterling B-movie thriller from director Isaac Florentine, who is one of my favourites working in today's cinema. Given that this was made on a strict budget in Bulgaria standing in for New York, it's actually very good. Florentine cut his teeth making fine action flicks with the great Scott Adkins, and he retains the action template here while casting Antonio Banderas as the lead instead. The story is nothing special and about a guy hunting for his family's killer, but I liked the mystery aspects of the narrative and the protagonist's character arc from ruthless lawyer to crime-fighting vigilante. Banderas gives a very good performance, he's better than he was in SECURITY, and he convinces in the action too. There aren't quite as many fights as I was hoping for, but those that do take place are excellent and have splendid choreography, as you'd expect. Karl Urban is a welcome presence in the cast to boot. Think of this as a poor man's JOHN WICK if you will, but that doesn't make it any the less entertaining.

Frank Valera ( Antonio Banderas) is a fast talking lawyer who we never see argue a case... as read. He loves his family, works late and they are murdered. He vows to find their killer by drinking too much and getting beat up in underground fights. After being unable to beat up one guy or a 13 year old girl, Frank has a Rocky music montage and in less than a year he can beat up four men (one armed) who are bigger than him. Having been a lawyer who let bad guys off, and there is really only one other character in the film Scooby-doo other than the guy he beats up in the beginning for coughing on the salad so go figure.

They attempted to add something unique to a trite script by adding a vow of silence and some words from Marcus Aurelius.The vow of silence as well as being boxed in the ears has given Frank acute hearing. And even though he has a vow of silence, he still narrates. I guess the unwritten rule of film school is if a woman wakes up in a mans' place and is wearing his shirt, she slept with him. Now if Matt Venne had named Frank's wife Faustina and the daughter Annia, that would added to the Marcus connection other than a philosophy class.

Guide: F-word. Implied sex (woman wearing a man's shirt). No nudity.

If you are a fan of Antonio Banderas you may feel or watch this under a different ... point of view. You may feel that this is way better than what I have attributed it and what score I gave it. I do like Mr. Banderas a lot, but I also think this is quite predictable. Just from the cast alone you can tell and be aware of certain things.

That aside, the action and stunts are very well shot. So if that is what you are looking for ... and not the suspense itself (the twist is quite the stretch to be honest),you don't have to worry about anything at all.