In the action thriller "Armor", veteran actor Sylvester Stallone assumes a rare villainous role. However, his performance, along with the entire film, comes across as lacking and uninspired. The plot follows the characters of Jason Patric, a driver, and Josh Wiggins, his son and coworker, as they find themselves ambushed by armed thieves while transporting bank funds. Unbeknownst to them, their cargo also contains valuable contraband.
The majority of the film unfolds on a rural bridge where a protracted standoff between the protagonists and the antagonists, led by Stallone, occurs. Despite a competent production, the film suffers from the limiting script by Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes. The combination of lackluster performances and mundane staging leaves the otherwise mediocre material devoid of any outstanding thrills, style, or characterization.
While not working on the job, Patric's character, an ex-policeman, moderates Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Dealing with his own secret addiction, he comes across as a complicated character, but the film fails to capture this depth. His son, Wiggins, is oblivious to his father's drinking problem, an improbable fact considering they spend most days together on the job.
Main areas of disbelief include the absence of police response as Stallone and his men hijack the armored vehicle in broad daylight with ample structures close by. The lack of a GPS tracking system to monitor the vehicle carrying colossal sums of cash also sticks out. The intense scenes seem insufficient to distract viewers from these plot flaws.
As the film progresses, father and son end up facing heavily armed men, resulting in a series of encounters that aren't thrilling enough to maintain viewer intrigue. Attempts to add layers to characters, such as a flashback exploring the personal tragedy of Patric's character, fail to resound as they come across as purely perfunctory.
Despite the underwhelming script, the blame for the mediocre performances can't be placed solely on the actors. Stallone's interpretation of his character appears half-hearted at best, echoing some of Bruce Willis' later performances.
Despite such inconsistencies and poor logic, the film could have been somewhat enjoyably had it incorporated some humor or stylish action sequences. However, the film fails to generate adequate tension or curiosity, falling flat in its delivery. While "Armor" offers some aesthetical elements such as attractive cinematography and bayou locations, it ultimately falls short in exploiting their full potential.
