6.5/10

Pierce Brosnan is back as an ex-CIA agent who is lured out of retirement for one last mission against the man who killed his wife. The November Man has enough bone crunching violence and character chemistry to keep it from suffering too much from a generic script and action thriller cliches. It was great to see Brosnan return on the big screen as he has always been my second favorite James Bond. He plays Peter Devereaux who almost feels like a darker James Bond with nothing to lose. The rivalry chemistry between he and Luke Bracey makes for the best scenes when the movie truly needs it the most. They go back and forth with the whole “Young gun VS Old Dog” kind of talk, and it’s believable with them because both of their characters are leaders and yet a little arrogant. Bracey is a young actor who has a powerful screen presence. He brings a lot more to a role that is only his 2nd film than a pretty face to look at. The movie has stunning camera work that follows on a lot of fast speed car chases, as well as shooting the violence to hit at such an impact that it will have you holding your mouth in horror. It’s a smart CIA movie, but it isn’t too smart to leave it’s audience behind in a field of misunderstanding. The story sounds like one that has been heard more than a few times for this genre of film. It does border on predictable at times, but i wasn’t bothered as much by it because the movie never quite slows down. If there is a pacing problem, it’s at the beginning of the film when it tries to establish if this is going to be a Clancy like espionage film or a revenge thriller. I am glad that it settles for the ladder. Brosnan pushes Devereaux to the breaking point with a man who has lost his wife, has minimal time with his daughter, is a constant alcoholic, and is brought to the harrowing truth that he is best at what he does when he is doing a job he isn’t necessarily proud of. Minor spoilers – Bracey becomes a protagonist by the end of the film, and i don’t feel it was for the better. I think the film’s climax ending would’ve worked a lot better if they let he and Brosnan go at it as two men with nothing left to lose but the job. Devereaux does feel like a James Bond character, but he feels like one who knows when he is in over his head. To make this character more vulnerable means that Brosnan brings out a stronger acting performance than he ever could in the Bond films. Besides the predictability, if i had a problem with this film it is that it will be easily forgettable. As you can tell by my rating, i enjoyed The November Man, but i don’t think that it stands out as anything extraordinary. It’s a spy vs spy narrative that only appeals to one specific audience member, and it’s in that why i think the ratings are so low for this film. The ending is satisfying enough, but it leaves some questions unanswered in the future safety of Brosnan, his daughter, and a victim he is hiding (played by Olga Kurylenko). All loose ends aren’t quite wrapped up tightly, and that could be the negative presence that sends people home unhappy. I however thought The November Man was an acceptable film in a genre that is currently spoofing itself to be hip. I wouldn’t recommend it as a theater film, but i think it’s a perfect DVD movie for a night at home. I am kind of surprised it wasn’t released as that to begin with, but Brosnan is still a crowd favorite. Hell, this theater was the most packed i have been in for a movie in easily 5 months. The November Man has it’s flaws, but you will come for Brosnan and stay for the fast paced shoot em up style that offers no apologies. If action films are your thing, give it a shot.