When a former DEA agent (Jason Statham) settles down with his family in a small town, you just know he’s not going to be able to keep out of trouble, especially when the head troublemaker, a meth dealer (James Franco), comes around and knocks down his door. Homefront — a Gary Fleder-helmed project based on a script by Sylvester Stallone (from a novel by Chuck Logan) — sounds like a typical Statham vehicle. But the real attraction here is the presence of Franco who is following up his druggy supporting work in Spring Breakers, which still has the potential to earn some Oscar love. Opens wide Nov. 27. (R) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2013.