4/5 Just a Very Good Action Flick
  by Setmose (Jerusalem)
I saw this on cable last night, and just put it in my Cart.

Derivative and predictable? Hell yes.

But surprise, surprise it has some decent acting. There is a good range of characters, and the supporting cast makes each little scene count. Basically there is a split between the rough mega-criminals chosen against their will to battle to the death on a remote island laced with Internet cameras, and the techno-geeks who are profiting from their suffering. Within each group there are enough different individual characters to keep it interesting.

The movie's director holds a very good pace throughout. Great payoff when the techno-geeks get their comeuppance -- even though some of them had shown pseudo-remorse half way through the inferno.

The two wrestling guys (I'm not a fan of wrestling) turn in very credible performances.

The special effects are not extravagant, but there is enough punch for this story. The portrayal of Internet video feeds is done quite well.

Have fun with it! You'll watch it more than once.

4/5 get ready for the main event . . .
  by trebe
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Productions, The Condemned (2007), is a high energy, testosterone rich, bone crunching, often brutal, action/adventure. Directed and co-written by Scott Wiper, and shot in Australia, the project is a star vehicle for former pro wrestler `Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Austin is Jack Conrad, one of ten convicts condemned to die, selected to participate in a survival contest on a remote Pacific island. The last one left alive after thirty hours wins their freedom. Promoter Ian Breckel (Robert Mammone), has orchestrated it all to make a profit. With cameras setup all around the island to stream live video of the deadly events, to a pay-for-view internet audience. Breckel controls the cameras, and directs the production crew from a studio on the island.

Pitting ten hardened criminals against each other soon produces results, and as contestants are eliminated from the game, the number of paying subscribers begins to climb. It is bad news for the other contestants when psycho ex-mercenary Ewan McStarley (Vinnie Jones) and martial arts expert Saiga (Masa Yamaguchi) team up. Breckel is manipulating the results by supplying the pair with weapons. Another team is a husband and wife both convicted of murder, unfortunately they are the first to be eliminated by the sadistic duo.

The Condemned delivers solidly in the action and fighting departments, in particular Conrad's extended fight scenes in the jungle with Saiga and McStarley are ferocious and intense. Steve Austin may have had limited acting experience, and his dialog is sparse, but he has an immense screen presence, and does more than a credible acting job for a film of this type. The film also attempts to be socially provocative, examining questions of morality, voyeurism, and the limits of 'reality' television. While it may not be the most appropriate setting, these are still some interesting issues to consider. In a taut and edgy performance, Vinnie Jones plays it straight as a pure evil villain, that you truly look forward to seeing breathe his last. Yet interestingly, it is through McStarley that a key part of the film's message is delivered.

The DVD includes an informative commentary track by director Scott Wiper, and a second commentary with Wiper, and an extremely down to earth and amusing, Steve Austin. There are also various special features, highlighted by a fairly comprehensive and insightful making of feature. It has taken a while, but Stone Cold should be back soon in the feature films Damage, and also Sylvester Stalone's project The Expendables.

2/5 Meh
  by John Doe (Illinois)
It was better than I expected it to be ( had pretty low expectations), but at the same time its already been done.

I guess this one can be the english version. Otherwise go see Battle Royale. They do it better, and with the same idea, except with kids instead of inmates.

1/5 Rip-off
  by Robert Tilton (New Jersey, USA)
When I heard about this film from my friend, I was blown away. What a rip-off! Don't see this seems-like-garbage film and pick up the cult classic Battle Royale.

1/5 The Condemned should be condemned
  by Enrique Calvillo III (san antonio,tx USA)
First of all STEVE AUSTIN looks through the whole film like he isn't happy doing this role,the plot stinks,no imagination what so ever! WWE films is trying very hard but the WWE cannot direct films. I love STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN but in this film,he's not very good at acting in it!