MovieChat Forums > Beyond the Reach (2015) Discussion > ending lets down a pretty good movie

ending lets down a pretty good movie

posted 8 years ago by offyerswod
4 replies | jump to latest

some of the stick this film is getting is a tad unfair and in some ways ignorant

especially moaning about Douglas being a lousy shot ( when he wasnt even trying to shoot him ) or whinging about Inaccuracies of there being nothing living in the desert to hunt.

I dont like a lot of modern movies ..i think they are all uncool

But I wanted to check out "Beyond the Reach" to see Michael Douglas doing those darker characters that he is good at and because i like these man/men hunting man type movies. ( though i knew the premise would be at its most bare boned with it only being One V One ..with advantages )

But this film should get some credit for being interesting, well shot , great location ( not seen many man hunt man films set in deserts ) , decent though not spectacular performance by Douglas, BIG PAT ON THE BACK for using no CGI...Real Explosions woooo ! and a Ronny Cox appearance ( i haven't seen him for ages )

that being said, i have to agree the ending was terrible...and its really the only genuine reason to dislike this movie.
I also thought the actor playing Ben was very average and had no real personality ( sh**ty script or not, he still would've been a bore, but they needed some young guy with a sixpack i guess )

its a good film with a bad ending

[–] MercurialAquarian 8 years ago

Solid, pragmatic points.

I liked the film, too, and thought it neat that Michael Douglas made another film in California that portrayed a character on the move in some desolate and harrowing setting. I refer to his role in King of California (2007), oddly playing a prospector named Charlie on a crusade, and opposite a young supporting cast member. Though the two characters are quite different, see the similarities for yourself. I get that you're not into modern flicks, but I'm thinking that you'll like it, especially since it's quirky Michael Douglas jack-hammering through a solid Home Depot floor, void of CGI!

One of the reviews for Beyond the Reach said it was like watching "Gordon Gekko gone psycho." That and his tricked-out truck, not to mention his living large off of oven-roasted chicken, espresso and martinis in the middle of the Mojave was surely over the top, but seemed a silly and fun reference to the Gekko of days gone by. Points for the practical use of the satellite phone that also doubled as a wink to Wall Street.

My beef, like yours, was with the ending. Too much on the Fatal Attraction end of suspense that fell headlong into eye-rolling territory. I'd have been just fine if the film had ended with John Madec (Douglas) still in handcuffs, sitting in the Sheriff's office, cracking wise to Ben (Jeremy Irvine).

To note, if Madec had shot Ben, his yarn to the sheriff (Ronnie Cox) would've fallen flat. I scratched my head, however, as to what basis he bought Ben's story given the amount of the bribe.

I didn't read the book on which this film was based, so the story ended for me where it ended. I just wished it ended a little sooner.

Objection, your Honor. You can't preface your second point with first of all.

[–] octopusmagnificens 7 years ago

its a good film with a bad ending

True.

[–] maxman-5 7 years ago

its a good film with a bad ending

Hollywood just can't help itself. Also see 'Fury'.

[–] dblm1 7 years ago

i think the only cgi was when Charlie gets shot in the head.