The revenge plot of the middle-aged father is now a well-documented one, thanks to the repetitive outings of Liam Neeson, Bruce Willis and Nicolas Cage, and the televisual exploits of Kiefer Sutherland. Panic Room with Jodie Foster did manage to flip the script slightly, but 16 years on, it feels like there’s room for another kick-ass mother onscreen – and who better to play her than Gabrielle Union, a woman whose persona both on and off the screen is one of formidable determination and strength? Union plays Shaun, whose estranged father has just died. Travelling down to his stately home to put it on the market, Shaun is unnerved by the memories housed there, and brings her two children along for support – headstrong Jasmine (Ajiona Alexus) and quiet, tech-savvy Glover (Seth Carr).

Upon arrival, Shaun discovers that her father’s home is bedecked with all modern security technology has to offer. Which is great – until sinister characters manage to lock Shaun out of the house, holding her children inside as hostages.

It’s a neat set-up, and allows Union to fight, smash, climb and generally MacGyver her way into the house. The details are pretty mindless, as mobile phones are abandoned and the generic bad guys, headed by Billy Burke, are either breathtakingly incompetent or racist stereotypes. But V For Vendetta director McTeigue keeps the action moving, and Union makes Shaun feel smart and tough, but realistic. Let’s call it breaking even.
2.5/5