1992
August 26th, 2024
MOVIE: 1992
STARRING: TYRESE GIBSON, SCOTT EASTWOOD, RAY LIOTTA
DIRECTED BY: ARIEL VROMAN
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 2 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUNTIME: 96 MINUTES
Set against the backdrop of South Central Los Angeles on the night of the Rodney King verdict, which ignited community unrest, 1992 shifts focus from the chaos outside to the actions of a group of thieves in the shadows. Directed by Ariel Vroman (The Iceman), this heist thriller juxtaposes the turmoil of the era with a more intimate drama, exploring themes of family and survival. 1992 is not breaking new ground but it can be a thrilling escape.
The film centers on Mercer (Tyrese Gibson), a recently released convict working at a steel plant, who is striving to distance himself from his former gang life and keep his teenage son, Antoine (Christopher Ammanuel), on the right path. Meanwhile, the thieves, portrayed by Scott Eastwood and the late Ray Liotta, plot to steal $10 million worth of platinum stored at the plant. Their heist coincides with Mercer’s extra shift, leading to a high-stakes confrontation marked by a violent shootout driven by greed.
1992 evokes the gritty thrillers of the early 1990s, reminiscent of films like Assault on Precinct 13, Dead Presidents, and more recently, Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire. Gibson delivers a commendable dramatic performance, echoing his strong work in Baby Boy. However, despite its potential, the film’s script, co-written by Vroman and Sascha Penn, feels constrained by its modest budget and scope. It raises the question of what might be possible if such films received the same attention as blockbuster tentpoles. For now, 1992 offers a solid, if unremarkable, escape into mid-size genre filmmaking.
2 ½ STARS
1992 IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH, 2024.
Written by: Leo Brady
