"Harsh Times" was advertised as a shoot-'em-up movie, but was actually more about the bond that two best friends share, a bond of brotherhood that could endure almost anything.

The film is written and directed by David Ayer, who wrote Training Day, which had the same emotional feel. Much of that movie was about two people driving around in a car getting drunk and stoned and selling stolen drugs and guns.

Jim Davis (Christian Bale) is an ex-Army Ranger who is back home searching for a job with his long-time best friend Mike (Freddy Rodriguez). They are trying to keep promises they made to their girlfriends. It was very hard to understand where the movie was going, because the first hour consists of the two buddies driving around, cut into scenes of them reverting to their younger days running the streets.

The movie was okay, but not the best. It was like setting a time bomb and watching the clock until it went off at the end of the movie. It was a very intense and chaotic roller coaster ride, shared between two buddies.

Two things that you can take from the movie: Christian Bale cannot play a Mexican gangster from the barrio, but he can play a crazy S.O.B. His fake accent and bad dialogue with Mike was enough to drive anyone crazy, but his performance as a crazy ex-military killer was wonderful. It was the most intense character I have ever seen on film.

All in all, I give the movie 3 out of 5 stars. Wait to make this one a Blockbuster night.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College