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Snitch is 'Moderately Engaging Character Study' that Entertains

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson goes undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency in this action-drama.

"Snitch," rated PG-13, is opening at 10 p.m. tonight at Gateway Cinemas 12 in Bethlehem. Showtimes for Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, are 1:30, 4:30, 7:00 and 9:30. The film is playing in the BigD Experience. 

The premise, courtesy of IMDb

A father, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, goes undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency to free his son, who was imprisoned after being set up in a drug deal.

Here’s what the critics are saying:

Mainly, 'Snitch' has a way of keeping you guessing about the next turn in its story, and a way of keeping Johnson's character compellingly at the mercy of others. There's a fair amount of violence, but most of it is handled crisply and without 'attaboy!' relish. The junkyards, crack houses and mean nocturnal streets lend the story a vaguely fatalistic air recalling B-movie noirs of the late 1940s and '50s. It's an entertaining picture — pulp, coming from a place of righteous indignation. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune


Although it sometimes accompanies fine films such as Zero Dark Thirty and Argo, the phrase 'inspired by a true story' tacked onto the front of a movie too often warns you that you're about to see something 'inspiring' in the most hackneyed, triumph-of-the-human-spirit sort of way. What's surprising about Snitch is that, rather than taking the reductive path of offering innocuous emotional uplift or one-man-army action, it generates a feeling of real desperation and fear as it shows a man getting in way over his head when he takes on some very bad guys.— Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter


Snitch groans out of the gate. It’s the kind of clunky, exposition-heavy action movie where the protagonist learns about drug cartels by typing 'drug cartel' into Wikipedia. But it builds into a moderately engaging character study of men driven to dangerous extremes by desperation, including Jon Bernthal, an ex-con employee of Johnson’s roped into assisting the boss’ descent into drug-running and money-laundering.  Nathan Rabin, AV Club


To the very end, 'Snitch' almost dares you to chuckle under your breath or at least ask some pointed questions. Even the resolution left me with one 'wait a minute!' problem that seemed to have eluded every character in the film. Still, this movie executes two missions: A) to entertain us; and B) to put some big exclamation points on a couple of messages about certain drug laws in this country in need of a thorough re-examination. — Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun Times

"Snitch" is rated PG-13 and runs 112 minutes.

Barrow Patch wants your movie reviews! Come back and tell us in comments what you thought about "Snitch" and how many stars out of five you would give the film.

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Kristi Reed (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:22 pm
Thanks for posting Devera! It looks as if you have a lot of fun activities planned.
Bill Summerour June 15, 2013 at 08:49 pm
I grew up in a Winder where doors were not locked and the town was full of folks shopping! SometimesRead More a moonshiner would get caught or the parking meter would run out of time and one would get a parking ticket by one of the three cops in town! Now I keep a weapon handy because of voices and footsteps on the pavement at night! Where are these people coming from and going to after one o'clock in the morning? Why does it take so long for a policeman to show up after a call is made,if they show up at all? I've watched nice homes on my street turn into dumps. They are rented by owners who are only interested in the money and not the quality of people who are renting. Yeah, I keep a weapon and it's loaded for a thief or prowler! When seconds count a cop is only several minutes away,if at all!
Timothy Hinds June 17, 2013 at 12:51 am
Excellent comment, Bill. I, too, remember what it was like to trust those around you as much trustRead More as you gave them.