Billionaire’s High-Speed Gamble on Cinema’s Fast Lane

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MOVIE REVIEW
Redline
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Genre: Action
Year Released: 2007, 2023 MVD Marquee Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Andy Cheng
Writer(s): Robert Foreman, Daniel Sadek
Cast: Nathan Phillips, Nadia Bjorlin, Eddie Griffin, Angus Macfadyen, Tim Matheson, Jesse Johnson, Barbara Niven, Denyce Lawton, Neill Skylar
Where To Watch: Available to purchase May 30, 2023, up for pre-order now www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Leaning into the essence of high speed and high stakes, REDLINE is a cinematic experience for action movie enthusiasts. This is more the tale of real estate tycoon Daniel Sadek's rags-to-riches story. He steered his destiny to head a real estate empire, Quick Loan Funding. By 2007, he was sitting on $4 billion in subprime mortgages, adding $5 million to his monthly wealth.

Carving its lane on the cinematic highway, REDLINE capitalizes on the trend of speed-obsessed franchises like THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS. Though teetering on the edge of implausibility, the plot keeps pace with a colorful cast of characters, blurring the lines between heroes and villains. The underground races are well done with the reality aspect that shocked me, with the film narrative neatly sidestepping law enforcement with closed-road and airfield venues. The film's focus had fun moments, climaxing in an expected showdown, followed by an amusingly unexpected conclusion.

The recipe for a film like REDLINE seems straightforward: combine stunning vehicles with women, and voila, you've got the audience eating out of your hand! This was a by-the-numbers production of the mid-2000s, and although the cars looked incredible, you could tell there were corners cut anywhere possible throughout the rest of the film.

If a deep, thought-provoking plot is what you're after, REDLINE may not be your cup of tea. With the lion's share of the budget splurged on drool-worthy supercars (some of which meet a dramatic demise), the film could have benefited from even a tiny dose of narrative depth, a skilled ensemble of actors, or a writer with a knack for compelling storytelling. However, the blend of scorching cars and explosions may hit the spot for those who relish an adrenaline rush.

With a thin storyline strewn with random subplots and eccentric personalities, REDLINE wasn’t destined for any Oscars, but they knew that when creating the film. The script is peppered with corny zingers, some questionable drama, and flat jokes delivered with a side of overacting. Yet, the film's appeal lies unabashedly in its parade of luxury vehicles, providing a guilty pleasure that's hard to resist.

REDLINE doesn't take itself too seriously, and that’s where it shines; unlike many films like this, they seemed to realize that it would be a parody of itself. Its predictable turns, cheesy dialogues, and unapologetic hamminess could be its unique charm for an audience seeking light-hearted action. It's the kind of film perfect for a low-key guys' night, ideally paired with crowd-pleasers like pizza, nachos, and a cold brew.

Still, it's essential to note that the film's funding came from a precarious source: subprime loans from Sadek's own company. This decision would later have repercussions in the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, leading to the downfall of his company and the revocation of his lending and escrow licenses by the California Department of Corporations hence why this is his only decent-sized splash in the entertainment industry.

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[photo courtesy of MVD ENTERTAINMENT]