7/4/2024

I really enjoy The Roundup franchise, its fast , paced, simple fun. That said, I'm not quite so enthusiastic about the latest film Punishment. What makes these films work is simple fast paced, frenetic action combined with top class choreography. This film certainly has most of these elements but it doesn't work as well. Why? Perhaps its biggest short coming is its not especially cohesive. It builds and diffuses its much needed pace.This is not helped at all by jumping between geographical locations and complicating the team dynamic. The main character behaving like a medieval vassal, getting on his knees at one point to beg to keep a case, didn't impress either. Nor does, the at times, rather lame humour,that feels tacked on. On the upside what remains is moderately entertaining but its not enough to really see this iteration shine. In summary, not every film in any franchise can be a winner. The Roundup: Punishment is not awful but its not all that good either.