Despite the initially cautious critical reaction, Gerard Butler’s revenge thriller from 2009 Law abiding citizen has found a new audience on Netflix, leading many fans to seek out more similar films from the 54-year-old actor’s back catalogue. Featuring Butler as the deeply flawed and arguably villainous vigilante Clyde Shelton, Law abiding citizen is one of Butler’s most brutal films, offering a distinctive look at violence and the legal system in general. While this film certainly stands out on his resume, it is not a unique Gerard Butler project.

Although the story is quite different in some respects, the movie 2021 Police station is actually a perfect accompaniment for Law abiding citizenNot only do both projects feature Gerard Butler in roles that – despite superficial differences – share some important similarities, but the films also address important core themes. Law abiding citizenon Netflix may be a bit unexpected, but it’s a welcome reminder that this isn’t a one-off episode in Gerard Butler’s career.

Copshop is another Gerard Butler film with a flawed protagonist

Clyde Shelton and Bob Viddick are surprisingly similar

At first, there doesn’t seem to be much that connects Clyde Shelton Police stationBob Viddick. While Shelton is iron-willed and determined, darkly cynical about the legal system and broken by his horrific experiences, Viddick is an altogether more optimistic and entertaining character. A contract killer with a penchant for violence, he revels in the carnage of Police station(in which he takes on other hitmen to get a job for Frank Grillo’s Teddy Murretto while locked up in a police station.) In the context of Gerard Butler’s career, however, the two roles have a certain symmetry.

Much of Butler’s life is dominated by typically heroic characters. Whether Leonidas in the graphic novel adaptation 300or as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the Has fallen Movies, Butler has earned a reputation for playing straightforward, action-packed protagonistsBoth Police station And Law abiding citizen challenge this stereotype. In each film, Butler plays a more morally nuanced character who plays an antagonistic role in the story. While Shelton and Viddick present different takes on this archetype, each portrayal highlights Butler’s surprising flexibility. For fans of his work, both films offer important variety.

Copshop and Law Abiding Citizen cover similar topics (in very different ways)

They address the problem of inadequate justice

In addition to the portrayal of Gerard Butler in a rather villainous role, Police station And Law abiding citizen share a crucial thematic connectionIn their own way, both films deal with the issue of corrupt justice, vigilantism and extrajudicial retribution. Law abiding citizenShelton’s mission is a personal one, driven by the grief of the murders of his wife and daughter. In contrast Police station In The Movie, Butler is a professional assassin whose interest in the case is purely business-related. And despite these different perspectives, both films deal with similar themes.

In Police stationFor example, it quickly becomes clear that Val Young (played by Alexis Louder) is one of the few honest officers working on the case, causing her to question her faith in the system she is sworn to defend. Law abiding citizen addresses similar concerns, with Shelton’s crusade bringing him into conflict with all aspects of justice – from the man who murdered his family to the lawyers who failed to deliver. The result leaves Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) questioning his views on how justice is administered. In doing so, the two films show how noble ideals can quickly be compromised under the right circumstances.

Copshop is much better than law-abiding citizen

It is more effective by almost all standards

These similarities mean that Law abiding citizen And Police station form a fascinating double program. Although their combination allows for some interesting analyses, there are clear differences in terms of quality. As pure entertainment Police station slightly exceeds Law abiding citizen. While both films have somewhat ridiculous premises, Police station feels somehow more grounded and believable, with well-crafted characters and engaging dialogue and performances. This is reflected in the film’s impressive 82% rating on review aggregator Rotten tomatoes.

In contrast to Law abiding citizenReviews often describe the film as dark and chaotic. Not only is the film incredibly brutal, but its interesting commentary on the limits of justice is lost thanks to a barely believable plot that ultimately compromises any message it is trying to convey. Law abiding citizenNetflix’s success proves that the film still has many defenders. However, when it comes to a purely entertaining action film that showcases Gerard Butler’s villainous potential while addressing broader issues of injustice, Police station is way ahead.

Law abiding citizen

3.0

director

F. Gary Gray

Release date

16 October 2009

Duration

109 minutes