Review of 13

Before I pop the DVD into the player, I didn't know what to expect. I know Jason Statham is in the movie but I didn't know what the story is about. Of course I didn't know it was a remake and the director's name is totally new to me. All of the above has made this a pleasant cinematic experience for me. I have to confess that I fell asleep not long after the movie started because I was pretty tired that day. I was woken by the shout of the umpire (moderator?) and saw the spider light bulb turned on. I was captivated by the following scene and wide awake for the rest of the film. I think the acting is superb, Sam Riley has done a great job transitioning from a fear stricken first round player to the seething finalist. Michael Shannon is also great as the umpire; you can sense the evil in him playing god. The wickedness can also be found among the gamblers and their complete disregard (disrespect) for human lives. Even the light bulb has some evilness in it! The director perhaps trying to relay the message that we are just pawns of fate and there is no escape in the end. It is a pretty dark movie but the mood is consistent throughout and captivating overall. Ignorant is bliss.