Haywire *** (R)

Mark Glass | Jan 30, 2012, 12:38 p.m.

Haywire

While watching an unfamiliar actress (Gina Carano) playing a female version of Jason Bourne in this complicated, high-octane espionage thriller from Steven Soderbergh, I was impressed by how well-cast she seemed. She was attractive enough for the lead role, without being such a babe that she loses credibility as a butt-kicking heroine. Her persona is closer to a Noomi Rapace or Carrie-Anne Moss than to the Angelina Jolie or Halle Berry glamor types who’ve ventured into the genre.

I later learned that her fighting skills weren’t just cinematic, but forged in plenty of actual tournaments. Mixed martial arts fans already know this, but for me Ms. Carano was a pleasant discovery. As an actress, her upside seems much greater than a Cynthia Rothrock, whose talents were more suited to fights than to films, with far more artistry in her punches and kicks than her ability to deliver a line of dialog. (In fairness, if not for self-preservation, I must mention that even though her movies mostly sucked, Ms. Rothrock’s signature move of kicking the top of a foe’s head while facing him was awesome.)

The plot is overly complicated, with a slew of betrayals and hidden agendas among the players. Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas and Ewan McGregor fill roles that are seminal, but surprisingly short on screen time, in this globe-trotting adventure. There’s plenty of violence to easily earn its R rating. Sequels are possible, and would be welcome - especially with a more coherent screenplay. (1/20/12)