Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Brawl in Cell Block 99

1

ANTICULEJan 28, 2018

What a travesty! Shame on you, Vince. You could do better crashing parties... I guess not. The Sodomizer, go back to your crib, along with all other schoolgirls knowing Jack about movies. This masterpiece made me cry. Not in a good way.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

All this user's reviews

7

Rebecca31Oct 25, 2017

Bradley's life is pretty terrible right now. He's lost his job, things at home aren't the best so he turns to the only thing he can to make money. Drug running. Unfortunately this doesn't play out well for poor Bradley (not a spoiler look atBradley's life is pretty terrible right now. He's lost his job, things at home aren't the best so he turns to the only thing he can to make money. Drug running. Unfortunately this doesn't play out well for poor Bradley (not a spoiler look at the poster) and he winds up in prison. Everything before the prison scenes seemed a little too drawn out and bland for me but when it finally gets to the much-anticipated brawl you will not be disappointed. This certainly doesn't shy away from the violence. If you're in need of a good action movie then look no further.

Ultra violent, every bone breaking and skull crushing moment is deafening. You want to look away but can't. The tension is constantly building and the sense of dread is only matched by the extreme violence. Shockingly gritty and very memorable, not to mention it's the best performance from Vince Vaughn you may ever see. Recommended if you enjoy skull crushing action.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

0

JoeB777Jan 29, 2018

I am in awe. Awe that such an awful movie could be made. Stunning. Mind-boggling. Where is the appeal?

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

All this user's reviews

8

BrianMcCriticJan 7, 2018

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a throwback of action films gone by. Dirty, gritty, down right brutal makes this a captivating bare knuckles thriller. Vince Vaughn is also the best he's ever been. A-

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

9

RoutineViewingOct 19, 2017

Bradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) is a simple man. Go to work, provide for your wife, leave your past demons behind you. For the most part, he does a pretty great job at that. He’s got a decent job, he’s got a supportive wife, and he’s checkedBradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) is a simple man. Go to work, provide for your wife, leave your past demons behind you. For the most part, he does a pretty great job at that. He’s got a decent job, he’s got a supportive wife, and he’s checked his alcoholism and violent tendencies at the door a long time ago. Then he loses his job. This doesn’t phase Bradley too much. He understands business is business and walks away with his head held high. When he returns home to find his wife, Lauren (Jennifer Carpenter), in the car and ready to leave him for another man, he cracks. This is personal, and in response Bradley rips apart Lauren’s car piece by piece with his bare hands. He is a giant, hulking beast, but only when he allows himself to be. Having released all of his anger, he goes inside to have a very calm conversation with his wife. They decide that they want to start over and rebuild their life together. Bradley can be a very violent man, but he knows when to fight and when he needs to relax. Brawl in Cell Block 99, the movie revolving around him, follows the cues of its star. It’s reluctant to be violent and knows when to hold its punches. But whenever it finally does decide to throw down, it’s a real knockout. After deciding to restart his life, things actually begin pretty well for Bradley. He and Lauren are expecting a baby, with a better relationship than ever. His work as a drug runner for his friend, Gil (Marc Blucas), has given him a means to provide above and beyond for his growing family. It all comes crashing down again when Gil goes into business with a new cartel head, whose men botch a delivery and open fire on the pursuing cops. It is here that Bradley finally unleashes his violence onto others, turning on the cartel to save the cops. This decision results in his arrest and a stretch of prison time. Things go from bad to worse when the head of the cartel, looking to seek revenge, has Lauren kidnapped. For her release, Bradley has to cooperate. There’s an inmate the cartel wants dead who’s held in Redleaf Maximum Security Prison. The only problem is that Bradley is currently in the minimum security prison. To reach his target, he’s going to have to do what he does best: fight.

For a movie titled Brawl in Cell Block 99, there’s very little actual brawling. Director S. Craig Zahler has his sights set on something much deeper and personal. The violence in the film comes out in very sparse and quick bursts. Bradley is so skilled and disinterested in all of the violence, there’s a matter-of-factness to many of the fight sequences. This is very much a character study of a man trying to do right, who is wronged at every possible opportunity. These deep, powerful themes are supplemented with some great grindhouse, genre fare. The threat against Bradley isn’t just his wife’s life. It’s that an abortionist will surgically remove the limbs of his unborn daughter. It runs the danger of feeling out of place, but it’s such a specific danger, handled so deftly that it actually feels more dangerous than simple life-or-death stakes. The violence also gets pulpier the further Bradley goes through the prison system, but by the time the film gets there, it feels earned and in no way exploitive. All of these elements are ingredients to a great film, but it would all fall apart if not anchored by the dazzling performance of Vince Vaughn. Making a home as the wise-ass comedy lead for many years, Vaughn has made the turn toward serious fare as of late. A leading role in the disastrous second season of True Detective and a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated Hacksaw Ridge haven’t succeeded in showcasing his talents. With Brawl, Vaughn has found the best role of his career and turned in one of the year’s greatest performances. He fully inhabits this role and throws himself into the character so completely. Like Bradley, Vaughn knows when to pull his punches and when to throw them. He plays everything calm, knowing his imposing body can do most of the talking. When he does let loose, it’s an emotional wallop to the gut.

While there is a lot to love, Brawl is not a perfect film. It does drag in certain parts. While overall the conclusion works wonderfully, the final image it decides to end on doesn’t feel like a good representation of the powerful drama at work throughout the rest of the film.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a simple film, but it knows how to pack a punch. There’s a scene when Bradley first gets to prison and is given a strip search. One of the guards inspects his manhood and remarks, “He’s an A-.” That sounds about right.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

10

NatoHoroDec 23, 2017

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Will never miss one of S. Craig Zahler work. Great movie.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

9

TryASummersaultNov 30, 2017

Vaughn is a one man wrecking ball full of unstoppable vengeance in this amazingly brutal film full of vigor and no holds barred violence. There's a great story as well in this about going to any lengths to protect who you love no matter what.Vaughn is a one man wrecking ball full of unstoppable vengeance in this amazingly brutal film full of vigor and no holds barred violence. There's a great story as well in this about going to any lengths to protect who you love no matter what. The shot composition was impeccable and you really feel like an inmate in these bleak prison environments with immersive detail in every shot. This film flew under the radar much like Bone Tomahawk, but Zahler is quickly becoming a writer/director to watch with some of the most visually striking films of late. Vaughn also deserves a huge amount of credit for showing vast versatility in this role with tremendous physical prowess and great characterization.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

9

johntechwriterJan 31, 2018

When I found out this prison movie was directed by the same guy who did Bone Tomahawk — S. Craig Zahler — I fired it up immediately on Prime Video. I was not disappointed. Zahler does for the tough-guy movie what Bone Tomahawk did for theWhen I found out this prison movie was directed by the same guy who did Bone Tomahawk — S. Craig Zahler — I fired it up immediately on Prime Video. I was not disappointed. Zahler does for the tough-guy movie what Bone Tomahawk did for the western: amps things up beyond anything you’ve seen before and gets away with it due to (a) superb writing; (b) beautiful camera work; and (c) brilliant acting throughout, spearheaded by a knockout performance by Vince Vaughn. You will not be reminded of his character in “Swingers,” I assure you. Ultra violent but always with a nod and a wink. Scene after scene you dare the author to top himself and when he always does you are entertained despite the extreme political incorrectness of it all. Whatever this newcomer Zahler comes up with next, I’m going to the Cineplex to see it, something I rarely do anymore. He writes as well as directs and his films have a satirical edge most American audiences won’t get. Which is their problem.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

5

SpangleOct 15, 2017

In his directorial debut two years ago, S. Craig Zahler created a gripping, scary, and deeply violent western. Bone Tomahawk was imperfect to be sure, but was nonetheless a fun bit of western horror, blending together two genres that rarelyIn his directorial debut two years ago, S. Craig Zahler created a gripping, scary, and deeply violent western. Bone Tomahawk was imperfect to be sure, but was nonetheless a fun bit of western horror, blending together two genres that rarely mesh together. Yet, in spite of this rather unique path, Zahler directed it with great gusto and skill. In the years since, Bone Tomahawk has largely become known for a scene of absolute horrific violence. For those that have seen the film, the scene needs no introduction. For those that have not, some things are better left as a mystery. Recognizing that audiences really responded to this slow burn style that explodes into graphic midnight madness violence, Zahler followed it up with Brawl in Cell Block 99. Starring Vince Vaughn, the film tells the story of a man sent to prison for trafficking drugs. After his wife is kidnapped, he is told he must get himself transferred to a maximum security prison and kill a man in the notorious Cell Block 99. A dark corner of the world that, as Warden Tuggs (Don Johnson) says, Amnesty International would frown upon, it is in this prison that much of the film is set.

As time goes on after the release of Brawl in Cell Block 99, it is hard to not imagine the film gaining a reputation for its violence. One scene in cinematic history that really sticks with me is in David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly. As two men arm wrestle, one of their arms snaps with the bones protruding. This, minus the arm wrestling, happens at least three times in Brawl in Cell Block 99 with limbs snapping like twigs under the weight of Bradley Thomas' (Vaughn) incredibly brawny exterior. Legs and arms, no matter. Similarly, a scene that has become infamous is one from American History X. In it, a skinhead curb stomps a black man. Fortunately, the viewer only has to hear the sound. In Brawl in Cell Block 99, three men have their heads crushed in with every gory detail shown and one even has their head repeatedly stomped on until it is decapitated. If this sounds like something you are into, then boy is Brawl in Cell Block 99 the film for you. For those that do not like this, then it is best to avoid this particular film.

Oddly enough, it is this violence that often holds the film back. It is graphic, yes, but the film is never quite disturbing. It is cartoonish, 1980s violence akin to Cronenberg including exploding heads in Scanners or body horror in any number of films. It is intended to creep audiences and make them uncomfortable, but often lacks the justification. Instead, it plays as cheap attempts to gross out the audience instead of actually carrying much purpose or weight. These moments can be carried out without such violence and its inclusion feels like recognition by Zahler that there is not enough meat on this film. It is cheap entertainment for those that enjoy excessive gore. It is a mean-spirited film that derives great pleasure from this level of violence to the point that it would suffice as an admission of insanity by Zahler.

Recognizing this lack of depth and coming to realization that this two-hour long film will really drag given the lack of depth, Zahler sprinkles in some thematic consideration early on about a variety of topics. Losing his job, finding out his wife is cheating, opting to run drugs for a friend to replace his income, and then eventually going to the end of the Earth to save his wife and child, Brawl in Cell Block 99 demonstrates the lengths a man will go to in order to save his family. Willing to sacrifice himself so that they may live, Bradley Thomas often serves as a representation of this drive and selflessness than even the most hardened criminal can demonstrate. However, beyond this rather simplistic element, Zahler's film does little it is not upfront about. Decrying conditions in American prisons, comparing them to European prisons, lamenting about the harsh treatment for drug offenders compared to violent offenders, showing the harsh and brutal conditions of maximum security prison that violates global mandates regarding torture, the horrible food, and the overcrowding, there are few hot-button prison-related issues that the film leaves untouched. Never really providing depth to them beyond Zahler using characters as mouthpieces to espouse these beliefs, Brawl in Cell Block 99 feels like a film of two worlds. On one hand, Zahler half-heartedly tries to provide depth by decrying the state of prisons in America. On the other, it is a horrifyingly violent film that serves as light-hearted midnight madness fare. In the end, neither side gels given Zahler's heavy-handed treatment of the former in order to focus on the latter. If actually given enough time to develop these themes, the film could have been quite the violent statement about the violence inherent in the system, but too often, the film seems to lose track of this messaging.

Furthermore, the film is… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

8

Angel1711Feb 3, 2018

Yep, I've logged in to metacritic to leave the review, this film made quite an impression on me, though i would have rated it 10, if not for so much gory violent messy crap... definitely not for the sensitive type, it left me shivering,Yep, I've logged in to metacritic to leave the review, this film made quite an impression on me, though i would have rated it 10, if not for so much gory violent messy crap... definitely not for the sensitive type, it left me shivering, literally, and for that i somewhat regret to have watched it. On the other hand i never knew Vince was such an amazing actor, i honestly take my hat off, bravo. And i am glad i wasn't dissapointed in the end, but really wish it wasn't so gory, yikes.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

2

KamamuraSep 13, 2022

A typical sample of the disturbed American culture revolving around sex, drugs, violence and putting psychopaths on the pedestal of the social admiration. A man with a personality as complex as a block of cheddar strugles with everything -A typical sample of the disturbed American culture revolving around sex, drugs, violence and putting psychopaths on the pedestal of the social admiration. A man with a personality as complex as a block of cheddar strugles with everything - relationship, the emptiness of which he hopes to solve with reproduction, fulfillment, purpose, simple mental operations, you name it. Luckily, there is this drug deal gone bad and with it, a makeshift reason for the introduction of the monosodium glutamate of similar movies - violence. Lots and lots of violence. Yawn.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

8

Roger1718Dec 27, 2017

Despite some poor visual effects (most probaby related to budget) and some lazy executions with the dialogue, this movie was everything it needed to be. Vince Vaugh's performance was quite exceptional, perfectly mixing with the tone of theDespite some poor visual effects (most probaby related to budget) and some lazy executions with the dialogue, this movie was everything it needed to be. Vince Vaugh's performance was quite exceptional, perfectly mixing with the tone of the movie. If you have time, go take a watch at this one.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

9

iamIamOct 9, 2017

Incredibly violent movie, in ways that will make you uncomfortable. This movie is an insane change for Vince Vaughn. This is a dark, angry, brutal Vince Vaughn, not the typical campy Vince Vaughn. Well-acted and directed with sharp dialougue.Incredibly violent movie, in ways that will make you uncomfortable. This movie is an insane change for Vince Vaughn. This is a dark, angry, brutal Vince Vaughn, not the typical campy Vince Vaughn. Well-acted and directed with sharp dialougue. This is a quality grindhouse movie. The violence is reminiscent of Zahler's first film, Bone Tomahawk. Although that film's violence comes mostly in the end of the movie, this film has extreme violence all the way through the movie.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

7

JLuis_001Oct 26, 2017

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a reinvention for its protagonist, Vince Vaughn not so much for its director, I honestly prefer Bone Tomahawk, but certainly it's necessary to give credit to both of them for trying a film that few will see butBrawl in Cell Block 99 is a reinvention for its protagonist, Vince Vaughn not so much for its director, I honestly prefer Bone Tomahawk, but certainly it's necessary to give credit to both of them for trying a film that few will see but without a doubt fans of the genre will enjoy because in a certain way there is nothing surprising or spectacular in this movie but there is enough quality to justify its existence.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

7

afiawardsJan 5, 2018

I was not expecting this movie to be as good as it was. It seemed like a cheap movie with a slightly relevant but aging movie star in the title role, but it was much more than that. "Brawl in Cell Block 99" is an extremely entertaining movie.I was not expecting this movie to be as good as it was. It seemed like a cheap movie with a slightly relevant but aging movie star in the title role, but it was much more than that. "Brawl in Cell Block 99" is an extremely entertaining movie. Vince Vaughn is fantastic as the leading man in this movie, and no other actor could have done it better than he does. This movie is sort of cheap. The lighting is downright terrible, and many of the technical aspects of the movie aren't great. But it is still a very entertaining action-thriller. Despite the fairly low budget for this film, the action sequences are shot very well, and brutally captured. This is one of the most entertaining movies of 2017, and I highly recommend that anyone see it.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

5

xeisMay 1, 2019

So, this is on Netflix now so watched it without realising it was Vince Vaughn, I'm not sure it holds together. It's deliberately slow and clearly VV has been told to be "still", but it didn't really work as he seemed a little out of place.So, this is on Netflix now so watched it without realising it was Vince Vaughn, I'm not sure it holds together. It's deliberately slow and clearly VV has been told to be "still", but it didn't really work as he seemed a little out of place. I assume the film was made on a shoestring as the set and uniforms of the "guards" seemed very amateurish towards the end. The violence seems slow and stompy and not grounded in reality. The practical effects are good in parts but towards the end look like they were taken from scanners (which will be the takeaway if you are a certain age). There are memorable scenes though and the "horror" elements hold together. I thought the plot seemed consistent and well thought out, the "threat" was unique (really horrifying) and motivating and the characters seemed well developed. I think the lack of budget, poor set / costumes and stompy violence left me feeling there was a lot of potential unrealised here… Expand