In this bitter experience, Carter, the troubled veteran, faces an unconvincing pathway in his life as he gets a chance to redeem by protecting a 12-year-old girl. During this period, it seems that this girl is being protected on Carter's farm after she witnessed a murder, from a sadistic murderer.
Thomas Jane and Laurence Fishburne in a very different sort of faceoff, of post-military conflict damaged souls in this PTSD psychological crime thriller. As one struggles against his inner demons, and the other succumbs to the mental ravages of war.
The concept might have worked better as a short, where the bookend action sequences would have had more impact and the extended middle stretch wouldn't have included so many silly twists and misguided stabs at moral complexity.
Big-budget action epics might be the current norm, but there's something to be said for the slow burn. Enter Standoff, which delivers pretty much what its title advertises.
Perhaps the feature isn't dramatically explosive or inventive, but Alleca keeps it lean and captivating, giving "Standoff" an enjoyable energy with healthy bursts of action and antagonism.
Histrionics aside, Standoff still has a lot to offer, with Thomas Jane giving a grounded performance to clash with Laurence Fishburne's own over the top one.
