If you’re a wrestling fan, you know that John Cena is the current world champion who is both loved and reviled by fans for his bombastic military / former wigger character that he portrays in the ring. Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, chances are you might have seen The Marine blowin’ shit up real good on cable within the last year or two. That movie harkened back to a simpler time. A time where explosions and superhuman hero types with big muscles were all that mattered in a movie. Screw plot as long as there are bodies, wreckage and one liners. But of course now we’re more civilized. Our heroes have to be flawed, caring, reluctant. Human.
Well that’s all fine and dandy, but I submit that there’s still a market out there for the former type of flick. Cena was serviceable in his first movie, and I think he’s got a lot of charisma, like the Rock used to and still does. But seeing as how Dwayne Johnson is generally keeping his distance from big blow-shit-up action vehicles of late, someone needs to step up and give us our action fix. So Cena’s back in WWE Films’ 12 Rounds, rescuing another damsel from a lunatic and unleashing all hell again to do so. Difference is, this film’s directed by Renny Harlin, rather than a first timer like John Bonito (take that as a plus or a minus as you will). The trailer’s below, thanks to IGN, and this looks to be quite a bit more polished than The Marine, with a Die Heard With a Vengeance sensibility.
Thanks to Brian for the tip.