In the Blood (2014)

'IN THE BLOOD': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

MMA fighter turned action movie star Gina Carano plays the lead in this crime thriller directed by John Stockwell (who's directed other popular B movies like 'BLUE CRUSH' and 'INTO THE BLUE'). It was written by James Robert Johnston and Bennett Yellin (the duo also wrote the horror movie sequel 'JOY RIDE 2: DEAD AHEAD') and tells the story of a recently married woman, with a violent past, who's husband goes missing on the couple's Caribbean honeymoon (after he has a freak zip-lining accident). It costars Cam Gigandet, Luis Guzman, Danny Trejo, Amaury Nolasco, Stephen Lang, Treat Williams and Ismael Cruz Cordova. It's not as good as Carano's first venture into leading lady action flick status ('HAYWIRE') but it is surprisingly well made and effective.

Carano plays Ava, a skilled fighter who was raised to be an emotionless killing machine, by her abusive father (Lang). With her marriage to Derek (Gigandet) she's hoping to leave that life behind but it of course haunts her once again, when the couple goes honeymooning in the Caribbean. First they get into a bar fight with a local crime boss, named Big Biz (Trejo), and his men. Then Derek has an accident, while the two are zip-lining, and goes missing on his way to the hospital. Ava will stop at nothing to find out what happened to him; even when the police, lead by Chief Ramon Garza (Guzman), are useless.

The movie is surprisingly intense and brutally violent. It's well written (for a B movie), with plenty of surprising twists, and decently directed too, by Stockwell. The cast is all impressive (for a film like this) especially Carano though. I'm really interested in seeing her continue to pursue this action movie career and I think she's off to a great start. Her part in 'FAST & FURIOUS 6' was a bit too small (and wasted her talents) but with this flick, and 'HAYWIRE', I think she's really making a name for herself (as an action movie star). It would have been really cool to see her play Wonder Woman, in the upcoming 'JUSTICE LEAGUE' franchise, she's already dating Superman (Henry Cavill)!

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Fmovies: I rated this movie an 8 out of 10, as it was full of action, and even had some humour here and there. I watch action movies to be entertained, and "In the Blood" was very entertaining.

Gina Carano did an excellent job in this movie, and is proving to be a better actress with each of her movies. She was also great in "Fast & Furious 6." I agree that "Haywire" was not the best movie ever made, but she is getting much better, and certainly has the physical ability to star in action movies.

I look forward to seeing more movies starring Gina. She could be the next Angelina Jolie.

I really enjoyed the story, the set-up, with the family dynamic between grooms father and his son. Interesting twists and turns, great action and realism. The club scene was terrific and the fight sequences well done. The mountain scenery was stunning and the zip line scenes, freaked me out. Gina's acting continues to improve with every project. The slow build of frustration and emotional hopelessness was wonderfully portrayed.

I would have liked to see a bit more character development and dialog. Derek's father and sister needed more lines to show the turmoil of doubt that Derek's father had towards Ava.

Watched it on Direct TV and started the movie very late. I could have paused the movie and come the next day to finish viewing it but I couldn't - I was hooked.

Loved it - heart pounding suspense.

In the Blood fmovies. I'm a retired man that loves females in movies like the next guy. This movie stands out in my mind because the lead female isn't the typical bimbo 'eye candy' which are in many movies. She fights for justice no matter the odds. If you are like me and you are always rolling your eyes because the chick is completely useless and crying or pleading for mercy... when thugs try to move in on her and treat her like a cheap piece... she is their worst nightmare. It is hard to explain all the things she does because that would give the movie away, but suffice it to say if you wrong her, you will pay! If you want to see a movie where the female fights for justice... In the Blood... fills the bill.

When Ava (Gina Carano) meets Derek Grant (Cam Gigandet), they fall in love and marry with each other under the protest of his wealthy father Robert Grant (Treat Williams) that believes Ava is a gold digger. Ava had a tough childhood with her abusive father Casey (Stephen Lang) that trained her in martial arts and other fights. Ava and Derek travel to Caribe in honeymoon and soon they meet the local Manny (Ismael Cruz Cordova) that invites them to go to a fashion night club. The powerful gangster Big Biz (Danny Trejo) hits on Ava and Derek and she fight with his minions. On the next morning, Manny takes them to a tyrolean crossing but out of the blue, Derek has a problem with his gear and falls off in a valley, breaking his leg. Ava finds him and an ambulance takes Derek to a local clinic. Ava follows the ambulance in Manny´s motorcycle but crashes and loses the sight the ambulance. When she goes to the clinic, she does not find Derek. She goes to the police station and Chief Ramón Garza (Luis Guzmán) promises to help her. But soon Ava discovers that there is a conspiracy and decides to look for her beloved husband alone.

"In the Blood" Is a full of action film where the greatest attraction is Gina Carano. She proves to be an excellent action hero. The flawed story has many plot holes but is highly entertaining. The motives for the abduction and the accident of Derek Grant is messy and does not make sense. The beginning is promising but the conclusion is the weak part of the plot. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Sangue na Veia" ("Blood in the Vein")

This movie is worth watching for the simple reason that the protagonist is a "REAL" woman and its refreshing. not some toothpick bimbo who could never even do a sit up never mind handle an actual brawl. we need some Hollywood writers to really write a plot that fits this type of woman. Its time for a change. And whatever your thinking im not a chubby chaser even though the hero of this movie is in fantastic shape. My wife is 100 lbs and i think she would a agree Hollywood needs some new material! The acting is up to par and its a nice change for once. Stallone should include this chick in the next expendables. and maybe add Zhang Ziyi and

Kurt Russell. Simon