User reviews

Well I wasn't expecting much from this film to begin with and I certainly wasn't wrong with how the film panned out. When I arrived in the theatre there was background music playing over the trailers and adverts. This even continued into the start of the film! Therefore I couldn't actually hear what was going on for the first 3 or 4 minutes. I should have known what my experience was going to be like after that. I thought the film had a promising start with Willis being about the only semblance of my enjoyment. But it all went downhill after the first 25 minutes or so. I thought the script was dire and the action sequences were poorly directed. In some of the scenes I could plainly tell an effort was being made by the director to imitate some classic action scenes in the Bourne series. The whole business with the briefcase also left a lot to be desired.

Weaver's performance was puzzling. She appears as a ruthless agency operative but at points in the film I was wondering if she thought she was starring in a comedy with her outrageous behaviour in some of the end scenes. Overall I'd say save your money for a better film that doesn't try to rip off other films in its genre.

Apparently, the screenwriters had several patterns (incl. the Bourne and Die Hard movies) and wanted to mix them for the basis of something at least as good, but did not succeed: the result is a porridge of this and that and the logic of events and motives is doubtful and inscrutable (e.g. suitcase-related events, a small business becoming a wild hero within half a day, long car chases without any police visible). The ending is also trivial and expected, luckily, the length of the movie is 1,5 hours only. The City of Madrid provides joy of recognition to them who have visited it.

The characters are not well deliberated either and it is astonishing why such great actors Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis agreed to star in such a movie... Nevertheless, the are pleasant to watch. The remaining cast, including the main performer Henry Cavill, is nothing special, not catchy at all.

The Cold Light of Day can kill your time, but you can easily avoid it. Even 2012 provided dozens much better action movies.

Another pay cheque for Bruce and another poor casting descision by Sigourney Weaver.

The Cold LIght of Day is nothing more than a confused mess that provides just enough entertainment to keep the lights on.

Henry Cavil is the stand out of the movie and does mostly a descent job but the rest of the cast are really dialing it in.

The story is devoid of anything that would really sparks a viewers interest.

This is really only for die hard fans (not worth the pun) of Bruce Willis if you absolutely need to see every single piece of tv or film he has ever recorded.

Otherwise make the Cold decission to give it a miss :)

The start to this movie was pretty decent, but a series of not that great twists, mediocre action scenes, and very lackluster ending made for a pretty underwhelming experience.

All the violence and crash scenes can't compensate for a nonsensical script.

Action films always bring to the audience suspence, famous lines and quotes, sometimes humor, groundbreaking special effects and the most important big entertainment. And I can mention many action films which to this day are considered as masterpieces like the Die Hard films (1988-2014), the Indiana Jones films (1981-2006), Speed (1994), True Lies (1994), Sin City (2005), Hard Target (1993), Face/Off (1997) and many more. But not all of them. There is an exception here in "The Cold Light of Day". The script is poor. And the cast, which is I have to say superior, from the legendary action films star Bruce Willis (of the Die Hard franchise) to the legendary sci-fi films star Sigourney Weaver (of the Alien franchise) try to do their best to turn it into a decent script if not rich, but they fail. Even cult action films like Black Moon Rising (1986), 52-Pick Up (1986), Cohen and Tate (1989), To Live and Die in L. A. (1985) and many more, may not be very famous to this day, but the audience likes them for the great special effects, the well known cast, the well written script which overall has a result a decent if not an exceptional action film. After all that's why they are called cult films because its filmmakers are truly dedicated in each film in each genre. Unfortunately this film has nothing of those I mentioned before (with the exception of the cast which is superior as I mentioned above). If you want to kill one and a half hour of your time, then there is your chance. Otherwise, skip it.

Story was not so original, it really reminded me a Taken movies and actually every other action movie. It was really predictable and there was no twist at all (okey maybe one or two really small twists). When you start to watch you already know how it will end. But even if story was a bit boring it's still was well showed. Acting was good. It definitely was not excellent, but everyone did their job to make an action movie. And that's all. Cinematography and special effects was great. I could call it a basic action movie with guns, car crashes, people dying and secret agents. I would not recommend to watch this movie, but if you have nothing else to do than yes, of course you can watch this. Because it's not bad movie it's just the same us most of action pictures. At least it's not so bad us most of people are saying.

Watched this after seeing it almost every where, it has a promising start, a young man suddenly don't see his family after he left them and he needs to find them.

But half way through I was starting to think is this supposed to also be some kind of a comedy movie? The acting and some facial expressions just dint belong in a movie like this.

Is it the worst thing out there? No. Is it worth the time to see? Meh if you have time to waste.

I'm a bit surprised actually as it has some pretty big names so I originally thought it mast be great if they were starring it, but apparently good actors doesn't save the movie if it has bad writing.

I'm going to keep this simple. The movie has got some great cast. Who doesn't like Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, and ... Henry Cavill? That's enough reason to give this a watch.

But sorry, Superman is just too nerdy. He made a thriller turned half comedy. In fact, I literally thought it's meant to be a comedy thriller. And his fake American accent was funny too. It's like English was suddenly his second language and some pronunciations sounded like an Asian born Asian speaking English.

The plot was actually okay. There's a solid storyline.

All in all, if you like these 3 celebs, and if you have nothing else better to do on a Saturday evening, watch it. It's not a boring movie, just kinda weird that it's supposed to be a full thriller but it's actually more like a comedy thriller.

If your stuck at home with nothing to watch it's worth a try. However I wouldn't rewatch this even if it was on TV. The story line doesn't make a great deal of sense and various plot holes. The ending leaves a lot unanswered and almost makes the process of watching the film pointless.

'THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The next Superman (in Zak Snyder's upcoming 'MAN OF STEEL' film), Henry Cavill, attempts to headline his own action film (which also co-stars action vet Bruce Willis) and fails. The film itself has decent action scenes and is nicely directed by Mabrouk El Mechri (who also directed one of the best Jean-Claude Van Damme films ever made: 2008's 'JCVD') but has a very weak script (by Scott Wiper and John Petro). Not even Willis and Sigourney Weaver (as the movie's main villain) can save this mediocre action film but it does have a few good moments (on a clearly B action movie level).

Cavill plays Will Shaw, a Wall Street Trader reluctantly vacationing with his family in Spain. He believes his father, Martin (Willis), is an adviser for the government, working in different countries (as Will had to move around a lot as a kid), but he soon finds out he does much more than that. When his family goes missing on a sailing trip Will runs to the local police for help but suspects they are in on his family's disappearance. He is then confronted by CIA agents, lead by Jean Carrack (Weaver), looking for a briefcase his father was last in possession of. After he's framed for the murder of a police officer Will finds himself on the run from everyone and only finds help from a young woman (Veronica Echegui) claiming to know his father, who's also on the run from authorities.

I never saw the awful looking John Singleton action film 'ABDUCION' with Taylor Lautner (and Sigourney Weaver as well) but, having seen the trailer, this reminds me of a slightly better version of that and Henry Cavill is only a slightly better actor than Lautner. He's got the right look to play Superman though and I really hope he pulls it off (under Snyder's awesome direction he could) but he shouldn't star in any other films. At least not like the ones he's been doing (he was awful in 2011's 'IMMORTALS' as well). The script sucks too but with another lead this film could have been better. Not even the presence of Bruce Willis can make up for the lackluster performance of Cavill (and Willis isn't in the film nearly enough). The film has some decent action scenes but nothing more.

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Henry Cavill is badly miscast as the protagonist that needs to save his family from a confusing plot that includes the police, corrupt American officials and...errr, the Israelis (Mossad)? His character is supposed to be Joe Average yet he still gives off Superman vibes which is incongruent with his character.

Bruce Willis is in the movie for 10 minutes and plays no significant role. Weaver is better as the crooked American spy.

It tries to be a Bourne movie but can't keep the action flowing as Cavills character just doesn't make sense.

Ultimately, it's just ok. A movie with this cast deserves a better plot and script.

I tried to give this the benefit of the doubt despite the bad reviews but still lost interest pretty quickly. It's not that it's that terrible its just not all that interesting. The plot is your standard (generic) who can I trust, spy thriller, that you've seen a hundred times before. The Spanish location is refreshing and pretty as is Henry Cavill -pretty that is, but he's not a great actor and struggles through this leading role wearing some really bad clothes (I have to add.) Bruce Willis is given top billing but is barely in the movie and just seems to smirk his way through his scenes, I'm not even sure he's acting? And then we have Sigourney Weaver who kicks ass but I've seen her play this exact role before (Abduction) and she doesn't do a great job here either. On the plus side there's some great car chases and lots of action through the streets (and steps) of Madrid. 6/7/14

The problem with Henry Cavill getting so much work in film is that he can't act and has zero screen charisma. Even Bruce Willis, who phoned in this role, acts him off the screen when they're together. Yes, the plot is hackneyed, unbelievable and often downright stupid, and the film merits its low rating.

All that said, my threshold for late-night cable movies is pretty low and the setting in Madrid and (presumably) the Spanish coast is beautiful. I've spent some time in Madrid but haven't been back in a while and it was nice to get back to Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Retiro Park.

Cavill, who was terrible in Man of Steel, is pretty bad in this movie, too. Sigourney Weaver surely can live off her earnings from the Alien series and does not need to demean herself in robotic role like this one. Chase scene is silly, but energetic and a good way to see Madrid by night.

It was actually pretty confusing experience - I watched this movie and I kind of could not understand, whether it was good or bad. At first glance it seems like The Cold Light of Day does have all the necessary elements to be a worthy representative of its genre (spy/action flick) - there is a very attractive, flexible lead actor, captivating storyline, exotic setting (Spain) and fascinating action scenes, not to consider Bruce Willis. Yet something is missing...

Probably the biggest problem was Henry Cavil's performance and his character. I got it - he's got an amazing career in fashion business and he is VERY good looking, but it doesn't make him an outstanding, even good actor. But this guy lacks charisma and he is not as convincing as Matt Damon was in similar flick - Bourne Identity. Cavill's terrorized sweaty face, his movements and speech will only make you grin distrustfully.

And his character Will wouldn't have that much trouble if Spanish people could speak at least little bit of English (well, apparently none of them can) - every time Will is in trouble the local population only makes it worse for him - they shout something unintelligible, wave their hands and cackle - I have never been to Spain, but I am sure Spanish people are not like that.

Bruce Willis' performance of a sad, disappointed in his son father, was pretty convincing, pity there wasn't much of him in this movie. World's greater conspirator Mrs. Weaver was performing just as usual - I bet she didn't even change her tough CIA lady suit as she walked off Abduction, Paul, and Cabin in the Woods settings and walked in this one. Overall production was good for TV movie, but not for a wide release. But it wasn't that bad after all...

With so many action films and stories that deal with intrigue, especially ones that include terrorism, it is not surprising that there are a number of hits and misses. THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY has the feeling of a tryout for a television series (note the lines at movie's end when strangely, Colm Meaney addresses Henry Cavill with the concept that perhaps Cavill has performed his mission so well that he consider taking on a new life job...). The story as written by Scott Wiper and John Petro is flimsy and the direction by Mabrouk El Mechri is incompetent, yet despite this the film holds our attention throughout its 93 minutes of lack of substantial plot. The reason may just be that finally we get the opportunity to look at the handsome Henry Cavill for an hour and a half.

Will (Henry Cavill) is reunited with his family (Bruce Willis, father Martin, Carolyn Goodall, mother Laurie, Rafi Gavron, brother Josh, and Emma Hamilton, Josh's girlfriend Dara) in Spain for a vacation, though he is absentminded because of work issues back in USA: is small business has gone bankrupt. On a family outing on a sailboat Dara is injured and Will returns from a short trip to get supplies only to find the boat and his entire family missing. Someone has apparently kidnapped them and holding them hostage. It turns out that Will's father is not who he believes him to be. With the stakes high over a mysterious briefcase, it becomes a chase of cat and mouse without knowing whom to trust. Will discovers things about his family - his CIA agent father had an illegitimate daughter Lucia (Verónica Echegui) who of course is Will's sister, and his father was involved in a scheme with agent Carrack (Sigourney Weaver) and her sidekick Gorman (Joseph Mawle). The rest of the film is chase scenes with Will and Lucia in constant danger from Currack and apparently Israeli terrorists.

Of course you know how it is all going to end before it is barely started. The script is very thin, the direction is a bit silly, but the personalities on the screen hold it all together on their looks and their chops. Not a bad film, not a good film, but worth an escapist watch on VOD.

Grady Harp

So many films with this same name. This is the 2012 one, from spain. Bruce willis, henry cavill, sigourney weaver. As of today, pretty low ratings, even with 40, 000 votes. When his family, and the boat they were on, disappears, will tries to figure out what happened to his family. Of course, he doesn't speak any spanish, and the cops are no help. Dad (willis) seems to know what's going on, but isn't telling will anything. Apparently, dad isn't really the quiet businessman that everyone thought. It's barely okay. So many flaws, errors, and plot holes, most of which should have been easily corrected. If anyone cared about accuracy. Lots of scenery from spain. Directed by mabrouk el mechri. Don't need to see more of his stuff. Most of willis' films from the last few years or so have been rated 3 or 4 on imdb. Skip it unless there's really nothing else on the telly.