Typical aging Stallone.

Let's admit it: whenever you observe a poster or the cover of a DVD that flaunts Sylvester Stallone brandishing a firearm you'll discern that the film will at least be entertaining. Avenging Angelo is an unforeseen twist on Stallone's conformist tough guy persona. As an alternative he is sweeter and more appealing in this romantic action comedy.

Stallone portrays long-time bodyguard Frankie Delano who has squandered his entire career working for an Italian mob boss named Angelo (Quinn, for whom the film is dedicated to). Frankie has been delegated by Angelo to watch over long lost daughter Jennifer (Stowe). Even after a number of years Jennifer has no idea that she is Angelo's offspring as it would endanger her life due to Italian assassins who endeavour to eliminate them both. As the film's title would suggest, Angelo is eventually whacked by the mob. Frankie pays a visit to Jennifer to divulge the truth: that Angelo is her true father. Owing to recent personal nuisances, Jennifer isn't intensely receptive towards any other people entering her life; let alone being informed of the deplorable truth concerning her recently-deceased real father. Subsequent to Jennifer eventually acknowledging her true heritage she teams up with Frankie to avenge the death of her father.

Like a great number of Stallone's recent action vehicles, the film met with negativity from both the critics and audiences. The Razzie committee always take advantage of the latest action film featuring an aging Stallone (They didn't pick on him this time, surprisingly. They still pick on him frequently though). In my opinion I believe that Stallone did a surprisingly good job with this role. His dialogue is understandable for about 70% of the time, and his character's life doesn't revolve solely around firearms.

Stallone was in his late 50s when this film entered production. It's great to see that he still has the charm and charisma we came to love and expect ever since Stallone graced the silver screen with Rocky. If you're a die-hard fan of only a mindless Stallone action vehicle then this would not be one to watch. Avenging Angelo is the furthest thing from a simple straightforward action film. In the place of frequent action we have a sickening love story, predictable sub-plots and a few clichéd close combat scenes. I prefer the days of Rambo and Cobra. Madeleine Stowe has a subtle screen charm. Naturally, her role is swimming in typical character clichés.

Avenging Angelo tries to be both a romantic comedy and a crime film mixed with elements of an action movie. But the film never finds a rational comic tune; instead stuck with a screenplay that makes little sense and appears to move from silly plot point A to even sillier plot point B. The dialogue throughout the movie is laughably atrocious. I mean sure, the cast is decent and the filmmaking is solid. However I thought that without a good or decent screenplay then a film will be an embarrassing turd. In spite of a promising build up throughout the first half, it bogs throughout its middle section and its conclusion is incredibly conventional. I basically predicted the ending within the first 10 minutes.

Avenging Angelo took tonnes of criticism with good reasoning. I am an enormous fan of Sylvester Stallone and his new guise is at least unique; however the man needs to make some better career moves. Instead of starring in silly low profile rubbish he needs to look past the money and try to find quality in a screenplay while choosing them. His soft touch here is appealing, but ultimately let down by the dopey screenplay and a terribly foreseeable string of events.