We’ve seen plenty of heroes standing up to corrupt cops before. And it’s been done well plenty of times before. But Rebel Ridge, which premieres this weekend on Netflix, takes a solid protagonist and makes a space for itself within the framing of this kind of story telling.

I just wish it weren’t so dog gone long.

Aaron Pierre plays former marine, Terry Richmond, who is trying to bail out his cousin from a small town jail before he’s transferred to prison where his past and gang ties will threaten his life. While on the way, Terry gets attacked and robbed by some crooked cops in that small town, and has to find a way to save his cousin, while outsmarting the sheriff played here by Don Johnson.

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Pierre is an action star. Whenever he springs into action, he’s got the screen presence and is easy to cheer for. He’s got the look for taking out the bad guys and does just fine when it’s time to deliver the lines. Johnson, who looks like he’s about to redo his Django Unchained character here, adds some depth to the story when we find out what the money is actually for. I also adored Anna Sophia Robb as the clerk trying to help Pierre amidst the corruption.

But this movie has no business being this long. Director Jeremy Saulnier does a lot right but Rebel Ridge clocks in at just over two hours when it should have been a tight 90 minutes.

If you pack a little patience, you should enjoy Rebel Ridge just fine though. I’ll be looking out for Pierre’s next action outing.

Rebel Ridge

GRADE: B-

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