SECURITY - VJ Confidential
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Security (2017): A Comprehensive Review of the Die Hard-in-a-Mall Throwback
A Detailed Analysis of Antonio Banderas’ Serviceable Action Vehicle
Executive Summary
In the landscape of direct-to-video action cinema, few premises are as
reliably recycled as the “Die Hard in a [blank]” formula. Security, released
in 2017, takes this well-worn template and applies it to perhaps its most
unlikely setting: a rundown shopping mall staffed by a motley crew of
security guards. Directed by Alain Desrochers and starring Antonio Banderas
as a down-on-his-luck veteran, the film represents a curious entry in the
late-career trajectories of its two leads Banderas and Oscar-winner Ben
Kingsley both of whom found themselves, for reasons financial or creative,
working in the low-budget action genre .
The film’s premise is straightforward to the point of being skeletal: Eddie
Deacon (Banderas), a former special forces soldier struggling with
unemployment and the aftermath of his military service, takes a minimum-wage
security job at a desolate mall. On his first night, a young girl named
Jamie (Katherine de la Rocha) stumbles in, having escaped a police convoy
hijacking. She is a key witness against Charlie (Kingsley), a psychopathic
crime boss who murdered her parents, and he will stop at nothing to silence
her. With the mall surrounded by contract killers, Eddie and his ragtag team
of fellow security guards must protect the girl until morning .
With a budget of $15 million and a production that took place in Bulgaria in
late 2015, Security was never intended to be anything more than a
modestly-budgeted action thriller destined for the direct-to-video market .
It premiered on March 4, 2017, and later became available on Netflix in
October of that year . The critical response was appropriately muted. The
film holds an IMDb rating of 5.7 , with reviewers generally agreeing that it
is serviceable but unremarkable. Common Sense Media called it “formulaic,”
likening it to “a low-budget Die Hard meets Paul Blart: Mall Cop, with some
hokey Home Alone thrown in” . The NME was slightly more generous, noting
that “the set action pieces are brilliantly choreographed” and praising
Banderas’ credible performance .
For viewers who grew up renting VHS tapes of 80s and 90s action films,
Security offers a familiar comfort: the lone hero, the confined setting, the
ticking clock, and the villains who underestimate their opponent. As one
reviewer noted, “You could rent movies like this on VHS endlessly.
Uncomplicated, no-nonsense action” . For those seeking innovation or depth,
however, the film will likely disappoint.
This review will examine Security from every angle: its production context
and the curious career choices of its leads, its narrative structure and the
ways it borrows from its predecessors, the performances that anchor it, the
action choreography that defines it, and ultimately its place in the canon
of direct-to-video action thrillers.
Movie Details
Category Information
Title Security
Alternative Titles 王牌保安 (China), 保鏢 (Taiwan)
Release Date March 4, 2017 (limited); August 4, 2017 (US VOD)
Running Time 88-92 minutes
Budget $15 million
Box Office $776,522
Director Alain Desrochers
Screenplay Tony Mosher, John Sullivan
Producers Jeffrey Greenstein, David Harris, Gisella Marengo, Jonathan
Yunger
Cinematography Anton Bakarski
Music FM Le Sieur
Production Companies Nu Image, Millennium Media
Distributor Millennium Media
Rating R (for violence and language)
Main Cast
Actor Role
Antonio Banderas Eddie Deacon
Ben Kingsley Charlie
Liam McIntyre Vance
Katherine de la Rocha Jamie
Gabriella Wright Ruby
Chad Lindberg Mason
Jiro Wang (汪東城) Johnny Wei
Lee Charles Dead Eyes
Truth Hurts [Supporting role]
Production Context: When Oscar Winners Go Direct-to-Video
The Millennium Media Machine
Security was produced by Nu Image and Millennium Media companies that have
become synonymous with a particular kind of low-to-mid-budget action cinema.
Their output includes the Expendables franchise, the Has Fallen series, and
numerous vehicles for aging action stars. The German trailer description
notes that Security comes from “the makers of London Has Fallen” , a
connection that immediately signals the film’s ambitions and limitations.
The Spanish review on FilmAffinity is more blunt, placing Security within a
pattern of Banderas films from 2017 that the writer compares to Nicolas
Cage’s tax-motivated output . This is not entirely fair Banderas was
actively pursuing theater production work during this period, and the volume
of his film appearances may have been as much about financing those
endeavors as about personal enrichment . But the comparison captures
something essential: these are films made efficiently, for a price, without
pretense to artistry.
The Bulgarian Shoot
Principal photography took place in Bulgaria from November 2015 to January
2016 . Eastern Europe has become a favored location for low-budget American
productions, offering tax incentives, experienced crews, and infrastructure
that can double for almost any setting. The mall itself the film’s primary
location was presumably a studio set or an actual shopping center that could
be rented cheaply during off-hours. The result is a film that looks
professional without ever looking expensive.
Antonio Banderas: From Almodóvar to Action
The trajectory of Antonio Banderas’ career in the 2010s is a study in
contradictions. Here was an actor who had worked with Pedro Almodóvar,
Robert Rodriguez, and Martin Campbell, who had been a genuine movie star in
the 1990s, now appearing in direct-to-video action films alongside Ben
Kingsley. The Spanish review notes that Banderas was not traditionally seen
as an action hero exceptions being Desperado and The Expendables 3 but that
he acquits himself well in Security .
Banderas brings a certain gravitas to Eddie Deacon, a character who could
have been played purely for muscle. The film gives him moments of
vulnerability: he is a veteran struggling with what appears to be PTSD,
separated from his family, and desperate enough to take a job that clearly
insults his skills. The NME review praised his “wholly credible turn as the
taciturn vet with nothing left to lose” .
Ben Kingsley: The Villain We Deserve
If Banderas’ presence elevates the hero, Ben Kingsley’s presence elevates
the villain. The Oscar-winning actor (Gandhi) had developed a sideline in
playing memorable antagonists, from Sexy Beast to Iron Man 3. In Security,
he plays Charlie a crime boss who is essentially a cartoon villain, defined
by his ruthlessness and his capacity for scenery-chewing.
The IMDb review notes that Kingsley brings “a stoic look” to the role, the
same look he has used in many recent films . This is not a criticism;
Kingsley’s stillness, his capacity to convey menace through economy of
expression, makes Charlie more threatening than the script alone would
justify. One reviewer noted that “their faces make the film a little more
interesting” a reference to the fact that Banderas and Kingsley are simply
more talented than the material requires.
Liam McIntyre: The Standout
Liam McIntyre, who played Spartacus in the Starz series, appears as Vance,
one of the security guards. Multiple reviewers singled him out for praise.
The iCheckMovies review calls him “the most striking figure,” describing his
character as “a rockabilly-like character with over-sized sideburns” who
talks big but steps aside when the violence starts . It is a performance
that suggests McIntyre could have a future in character roles.
Plot Summary: The Formula, Faithfully Executed
The Setup: A Man with Nothing to Lose
Eddie Deacon (Antonio Banderas) is introduced as a man at the end of his
rope. A former special forces soldier, he has been unable to find work since
leaving the military. The implication never fully explored is that he is
dealing with PTSD or some form of mental health challenge stemming from his
service. He has not seen his wife and daughter in over a year .
Desperate for money, Eddie takes a job as a security guard at the Prado
Mall, a run-down shopping center in a rough part of town. His new colleagues
are a motley crew: Vance (Liam McIntyre), a loudmouth with rockabilly
sideburns; Ruby (Gabriella Wright), a capable woman with a no-nonsense
attitude; Mason (Chad Lindberg), who seems perpetually hungover; and Johnny
Wei (Jiro Wang), whose martial arts skills will later prove useful .
The job is unglamorous, poorly paid, and staffed by people who have clearly
settled. On his first night, Eddie is shown the security booth, the
walkie-talkies (one of which is pink), and the general layout of the mall.
It is the kind of orientation that suggests nothing will ever happen.
The Inciting Incident: A Girl on the Run
The quiet is shattered when a young girl, Jamie (Katherine de la Rocha),
bursts through the mall’s emergency exit. She is terrified, wounded, and
clearly being pursued. Jamie explains that she was being transported by a
police convoy to testify as a witness in a murder trial when the convoy was
ambushed. She escaped into the mall, but her pursuers are close behind .
Jamie’s parents were murdered by Charlie (Ben Kingsley), a crime boss who
will stop at nothing to silence the only witness to his crimes. She is the
key to his conviction, and her death is his only path to freedom .
The Siege: The Mall Becomes a Fortress
Charlie and his team of contract killers arrive, surrounding the mall and
cutting off all exits. They demand the girl; Eddie and his team refuse. What
follows is a siege narrative in the tradition of Assault on Precinct 13 and
Die Hard: a small group of unlikely defenders, trapped in a confined space,
using their wits and whatever resources they can find to hold off a superior
force .
Eddie, drawing on his military training, coordinates the defense. The
security guards are not soldiers, but they have access to the mall’s
resources: security cameras, walkie-talkies, and in a moment that reviewers
have compared to Home Alone a toy store from which they can scavenge
materials for homemade explosives . One reviewer noted the absurdity: “It
surprised me they didn’t look for some crayons in the local toy store and
started drawing a defense plan on a large white sheet of paper. Just like
Kevin did in Home Alone II” .
The Confrontations: One by One
The film follows the standard structure of the siege thriller. Charlie’s men
attempt to breach the mall; the security team repels them. Killers are
picked off one by one. The body count rises. Eddie moves through the mall,
using his training to outmaneuver the professionals who underestimate him .
The film’s action sequences are varied: there are gunfights, hand-to-hand
combat scenes, explosions, and at least one memorable use of a taser. One
reviewer noted that the action was “shaky cam, action scenes where you’re
not entirely sure who’s hitting who, but somehow it’s all still pretty
entertaining” . This is a backhanded compliment, but it captures the film’s
B-movie spirit.
The Climax: Father Figure Emerges
As the night wears on, the relationship between Eddie and Jamie deepens. He
becomes a surrogate father figure, protecting her as he could not protect
his own family. This emotional arc is the film’s attempt to add weight to
the violence. The IMDb review notes that the film is “a bit maudlin in the
end when the father/daughter concept finally adds some human interest” .
The final confrontation pits Eddie against Charlie. The villain, having seen
his operation crumble, confronts the hero directly. Their showdown is brief
and decisive. Eddie prevails, and Jamie is saved.
The Epilogue: A New Beginning
The film ends with Eddie’s family arriving at the mall. The implication is
that he has been reconciled with his wife and daughter that his heroism has
redeemed him in their eyes. It is a sentimental ending that reviewers found
somewhat unearned. As one noted, the film “felt as a sort of slapstick at
certain moments” before veering into melodrama .
Character Analysis: Archetypes in Uniform
Eddie Deacon: The Wounded Warrior
Antonio Banderas’ Eddie is the archetypal action hero of the direct-to-video
era: a man with a troubled past, exceptional skills, and nothing left to
lose. He is introduced in a state of desperation unemployed, separated from
his family, and clearly struggling with the psychological aftermath of his
military service.
Banderas plays the role with restraint. His Eddie is not a wisecracking hero
in the Bruce Willis mold; he is a quiet, watchful presence who speaks only
when necessary. One reviewer described him as “the quiet, mysterious
security guard who doesn’t say much but gets the job done” . This
characterization allows the action to speak for itself and gives Banderas
room to convey emotion through expression rather than dialogue.
The film gestures toward deeper themes PTSD, the failure of the military to
support its veterans, the difficulty of re-integrating into civilian life
but never fully explores them. Eddie’s trauma is a plot device rather than a
subject of genuine inquiry.
Charlie: The Stoic Menace
Ben Kingsley’s Charlie is the kind of villain that low-budget action films
rely on: ruthless, intelligent, and completely without redeeming qualities.
He wants the girl dead; he will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. His
motivations are never explored, and his backstory is never provided. He is
evil because the film needs him to be.
Kingsley brings a certain class to the role. His stillness, his economy of
expression, his capacity to convey menace without raising his voice these
are the marks of a great actor working with limited material. As one
reviewer noted, “their faces make the film a little more interesting” .
Vance: The Loudmouth
Liam McIntyre’s Vance is the film’s most memorable supporting character. He
is introduced as a blowhard, a man who talks a big game about his abilities
but retreats when the violence begins. The iCheckMovies review describes him
as “a rockabilly-like character with over-sized sidebrows” who is “such a
bigmouth and show-off who thinks he’s in charge but when the sh*t hits the
fan he rather steps aside” .
But Vance is not a coward; he is simply overmatched. His arc, such as it is,
involves finding courage when it is most needed. McIntyre’s performance
brings humor and humanity to a role that could have been purely comic
relief.
The Security Team: Faces in the Crowd
The supporting security guards Ruby (Gabriella Wright), Mason (Chad
Lindberg), and Johnny Wei (Jiro Wang) are functional rather than fully
developed. They exist to provide backup, to be killed, and to give Eddie
someone to talk to. The iCheckMovies review notes that “I liked all the
characters and I thought it was a cool team” , which is about the level of
praise the film earns in this department.
Jamie: The MacGuffin
Katherine de la Rocha’s Jamie is the film’s MacGuffin the object around
which the plot revolves. She is a witness, a victim, and a source of
motivation for Eddie, but she is not a character in her own right. The film
does not give her an arc, does not explore her trauma, and does not ask her
to do anything beyond being brave and grateful.
This is a missed opportunity. A film that took Jamie’s perspective seriously
that explored what it means to be an 11-year-old witness to murder, to be
hunted by killers, to be saved by strangers would have been richer and more
affecting.
Action Analysis: Serviceable but Unspectacular
The Die Hard Template
Security is, by its own admission, a Die Hard clone. The German trailer
description explicitly compares it to the 1988 classic: “Die Hard in a
shopping mall” . The elements are all present: the confined setting, the
lone hero, the villains who underestimate him, the ticking clock, the
transformation of an ordinary space into a battlefield.
But Die Hard worked because John McClane was a compelling character a
flawed, vulnerable, wisecracking everyman who happened to be a cop. Eddie
Deacon is a former special forces soldier; his competence is never in doubt.
The tension in Security comes not from whether Eddie can survive but from
whether the girl will survive, whether the security team will hold, whether
the cavalry will arrive in time.
The Choreography: Mixed Reviews
The film’s action choreography has received mixed assessments. The NME
review called the set pieces “brilliantly choreographed” . The SlashFilm
review, written based on the trailer, was less impressed: “Even the quick
cutting in this trailer can’t hide the fact that the action choreography
looks slow and amateurish” .
The truth lies somewhere in between. The action is competent but not
inspired. The filmmakers rely on shaky camera work and rapid editing to
create the illusion of intensity, techniques that can obscure rather than
enhance the choreography. One reviewer noted that the action scenes feature
“shaky cam” where “you’re not entirely sure who’s hitting who” .
The Home Alone Comparisons
Perhaps the film’s most distinctive element is its borrowing from Home
Alone. The security team uses the mall’s resources to create homemade
defenses: explosives made from materials scavenged from a toy store, booby
traps, and improvised weapons. One reviewer noted that the film could have
been described as “Home Alone in the mall” .
This comparison is not entirely favorable. The Home Alone elements introduce
a note of absurdity that undercuts the film’s attempts at seriousness. As
Common Sense Media noted, the film has “some hokey Home Alone thrown in” .
The pink walkie-talkie, the toy store bombs, the improvised defenses these
moments feel like they belong in a different movie.
The Guns and Violence
The film’s violence is frequent and, for an R-rated action film, moderately
graphic. Common Sense Media notes “multiple on-screen killings, including
execution-style kill shots, graphic weapons violence (guns, knives, tasers,
axes), car crashes, bombs and explosions, arson, and hand-to-hand combat
scenes” with “moderate amount of blood and gore” .
The violence is not excessive by the standards of the genre, but it is
pervasive. The film earns its R rating and is not appropriate for younger
viewers.
Thematic Analysis: What Is Security Really About?
The Veteran’s Struggle
One of the film’s more serious themes is the struggle of veterans to
reintegrate into civilian life. Eddie is introduced as a man who has been
failed by the system unable to find work, separated from his family, clearly
suffering from the psychological aftermath of his service. His job as a
security guard is a humiliation, a job far beneath his skills and
experience.
But the film never fully commits to this theme. Eddie’s PTSD is mentioned
but never explored. His separation from his family is explained but never
felt. The film uses these elements to establish his motivation but does not
treat them as subjects worthy of sustained attention.
The Father-Daughter Dynamic
The relationship between Eddie and Jamie is the film’s emotional center. He
becomes a surrogate father to her, protecting her as he could not protect
his own daughter. The film’s ending Eddie’s family arriving at the mall, the
implication of reconciliation suggests that his heroism has redeemed him.
This dynamic is a standard feature of the genre, and Security executes it
competently if unremarkably. The IMDb review notes that the film is “a bit
maudlin in the end when the father/daughter concept finally adds some human
interest” . It is not a criticism so much as an observation: the film’s
emotional ambitions are modest, and it achieves them.
Violence as Justice
The film’s moral framework is simple: violence is justified when used to
protect the innocent. Eddie and his team kill dozens of people over the
course of the night, and the film never asks whether there might have been
another way. The villains are irredeemable, the stakes are absolute, and the
hero’s violence is presented as necessary and righteous.
This is standard for the action genre, but it is worth noting. Security does
not interrogate its own violence; it celebrates it.
Pros: What the Film Gets Right
1. The Lead Performances
Banderas and Kingsley bring a level of professionalism to the film that it
does not always deserve. Their presence elevates the material, making a
standard action thriller watchable. As one reviewer noted, “their faces make
the film a little more interesting” .
2. Liam McIntyre’s Vance
McIntyre’s performance as the loudmouth security guard is the film’s most
memorable supporting turn. He brings humor and humanity to a role that could
have been purely functional. One reviewer called him “the most striking
figure” in the film .
3. Serviceable Action
The film delivers what it promises: action, violence, explosions, and a hero
who saves the day. For viewers who enjoy this kind of undemanding
entertainment, Security will satisfy.
4. Efficient Pacing
At 88-92 minutes, the film does not overstay its welcome. It moves quickly
from setup to siege to climax, never lingering long enough for its flaws to
become overwhelming.
5. The Die Hard Homage
For fans of the siege thriller genre, Security offers a familiar comfort.
The Die Hard template is executed competently, and the confined setting of
the mall gives the action a distinctive flavor.
6. Occasional Humor
The film has moments of dry humor, particularly in the interactions between
the security guards. One reviewer noted that he “really had to laugh with
the dry remarks made by Antonio Banderas” .
7. Banderas in Physical Form
Banderas, who was 56 at the time of filming, appears to be in good physical
shape. He performs his own action sequences convincingly, and his commitment
to the role is evident.
Cons: Where the Film Stumbles
1. Derivative Plot
The film’s most significant flaw is its lack of originality. As one reviewer
noted, “it’s low on originality” . The Die Hard template has been used so
many times that Security adds nothing new to the genre.
2. Underdeveloped Characters
Beyond the leads, the characters are sketches rather than fully realized
people. The security guards exist to be killed or to provide backup. Jamie
is a MacGuffin rather than a character. The villains are defined solely by
their ruthlessness.
3. The Home Alone Absurdity
The film’s borrowing from Home Alone introduces a note of absurdity that
undercuts its attempts at seriousness. The toy store bombs, the pink
walkie-talkie, the improvised defenses these elements feel like they belong
in a different movie.
4. Wasted Talents
Banderas and Kingsley are better than this material. As Common Sense Media
noted, the film “doesn’t use Banderas and Kingsley’s talents to their
fullest potential” . The result is a film that is watchable but forgettable.
5. Mixed Action Choreography
The action sequences are competent but not inspired. The shaky camera work
and rapid editing can obscure the choreography, and the NME’s praise of
“brilliantly choreographed” set pieces may be overstated .
6. Sentimental Ending
The film’s ending, in which Eddie is reconciled with his family, feels
unearned. As one reviewer noted, the film is “a bit maudlin” . The emotional
beats are present, but they lack the foundation to land effectively.
7. Forgettable Villain
Ben Kingsley brings his talents to the role of Charlie, but the character is
underwritten. He is evil because the film needs him to be evil; his
motivations are never explored, and his backstory is never provided.
Critical Reception: A Consensus of Mediocrity
The Rotten Tomatoes Picture
While the search results do not include a specific Rotten Tomatoes score,
the consensus from individual reviews suggests a film in the “rotten” to
“mixed” range. Common Sense Media calls it “formulaic” ; the SlashFilm
review (based on the trailer) was dismissive ; the NME was more generous .
The IMDb Score
Security holds a 5.7 rating on IMDb . This places it in the “mediocre”
category a film that is neither loved nor hated, merely watched.
Selected Critical Quotes
· Common Sense Media: “This formulaic action film doesn’t use Banderas and
Kingsley’s talents to their fullest potential. Ultimately, Security is like
a low-budget Die Hard meets Paul Blart: Mall Cop, with some hokey Home Alone
thrown in” .
· NME: “The set action pieces are brilliantly choreographed and Antonio
Banderas is a far cry from the larger-than-life character’s he played in the
’90s, putting in a wholly credible turn as the taciturn vet with nothing
left to lose” .
· IMDb User Review: “SECURITY is low on originality, medium on clashing
fight scenes with guns and bombs and fire and a bit maudlin in the end when
the father/daughter concept finally adds some human interest” .
· iCheckMovies User Review: “I liked all the characters and I thought it was
a cool team. I thought it was a well-paced movie and a fun watch on a
Saturday evening. Sometimes, simple is good!” .
· SlashFilm: “I can’t imagine anyone outside of the most addicted action
movie junkies or Banderas obsessives (are there even such people out there?)
would ever bother seeking this out” .
The Audience Divide
Audience reviews reflect a similar divide. Some viewers appreciate the film
for what it is: a simple, undemanding action thriller. As one reviewer put
it, “Sometimes, simple is good!” . Others find it too derivative, too slow,
too compromised. The consensus is that Security is watchable but forgettable
a film that will satisfy genre enthusiasts but convert no one.
The Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Security is not a great film. It is not even a particularly good film by
conventional standards. Its plot is derivative, its characters are
underdeveloped, and its action is competent but not inspired. But it is also
a film that knows exactly what it is: a low-budget action thriller designed
to be watched on a Saturday evening, consumed, and forgotten.
For viewers who approach it with the right expectations who understand that
this is a Die Hard clone, a vehicle for aging stars, a product of the
direct-to-video market Security offers modest entertainment. Banderas and
Kingsley are watchable, the action is serviceable, and the film does not
overstay its welcome.
For viewers seeking originality, depth, or memorable characters, Security
will likely disappoint. It is a film that exists in the shadow of its
influences, that borrows from better movies without adding anything of its
own, that leaves the viewer with the sense that they have seen it all
before.
For Whom Is This Film Recommended?
Fans of Antonio Banderas and Ben Kingsley who want to see them in action
roles will find the film worth watching for their performances alone. They
bring a level of professionalism to the material that elevates it.
Viewers who enjoy undemanding action thrillers the kind that populated video
store shelves in the 1980s and 1990s will find Security a serviceable entry
in the genre.
Those who appreciate the Die Hard template will find the film’s execution
competent, if not inspired. The confined setting of the mall gives the
action a distinctive flavor.
Fans of Liam McIntyre will enjoy his performance as Vance, which multiple
reviewers singled out as a highlight.
For Whom Is This Film Not Recommended?
Viewers seeking originality will be disappointed. The film’s plot is
derivative, and it adds nothing new to the genre.
Those who require strong character development should look elsewhere. The
characters are sketches rather than fully realized people.
Viewers who find the Home Alone comparisons off-putting may be distracted by
the film’s tonal inconsistencies.
Anyone looking for a film that uses its stars to their full potential will
find Security frustrating. Banderas and Kingsley are better than this
material.
Ratings
Category Rating (out of 10)
Antonio Banderas’ Performance 7.0
Ben Kingsley’s Performance 6.5
Liam McIntyre’s Vance 7.5
Action Choreography 5.5
Script/Writing 4.5
Character Development 4.0
Pacing 6.5
Originality 3.0
Entertainment Value 6.0
Re-watchability 4.5
Overall 5.5
Final Thoughts
Security is a film that does not aspire to greatness. It aspires to be
watched, to fill 90 minutes, to provide a modest return on a modest
investment. In that, it succeeds. It is not a film that will change your
life, not a film that will linger in your memory, not a film that will be
discussed in the years to come. It is a film that exists, that is available,
that will satisfy a very specific craving for undemanding action
entertainment.
The tragedy of Security is that it had the potential to be more. Banderas
and Kingsley are talented actors. The premise a veteran protecting a child
witness in a mall has genuine potential. The siege thriller format, when
executed well, can be genuinely tense. But the film settles for competence
rather than striving for excellence. It does what it needs to do and nothing
more.
For viewers who appreciate the craft of action filmmaking, who enjoy seeing
talented actors work in the margins of the industry, who have a soft spot
for the direct-to-video thrillers of the 1980s and 1990s, Security offers a
modest pleasure. It is a film that can be watched on a Saturday evening,
enjoyed for what it is, and then forgotten. And sometimes, that is enough.
As one reviewer put it: “Sometimes, simple is good!” . Security is simple.
Whether that is good enough is for each viewer to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Security based on a true story?
No. The film is a work of fiction, though it draws on genre conventions
established by Die Hard and Assault on Precinct 13.
Why did Antonio Banderas and Ben Kingsley make this film?
Both actors were working regularly in the direct-to-video market during this
period. The Spanish review on FilmAffinity notes that Banderas had a
particularly busy year in 2017, possibly to finance his theater production
work .
Where can I watch Security?
The film is available on Netflix in some regions and can be rented or
purchased through various VOD platforms.
Is the film appropriate for children?
No. The film is rated R for violence and language and is not appropriate for
younger viewers .
How does Security compare to other Antonio Banderas action films?
The Spanish review notes that Banderas is not typically considered an action
hero, with exceptions being Desperado and The Expendables 3. Security is a
modest entry in his action filmography .
What is the film’s budget?
$15 million .
Why was the film shot in Bulgaria?
Eastern Europe offers tax incentives and lower production costs, making it a
favored location for low-budget American productions.
Sources
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PELIGROSAMENTE: SECURITY.” FilmAffinity.
4. Wikipedia Contributors. “保鏢 (2017年電影).” Wikipedia (Chinese). July
26, 2024.
5. Videobuster Staff. “Security Trailer HD (Englisch) (2017).” Videobuster.
6. FilmBooster.ca Staff. “Security (2017) – Overview and Reviews.”
FilmBooster.ca.
7. IMDb User Review. “Hyper-Action made tolerable by presence of Antonio
Banderas and Ben Kingsley.” IMDb. August 14, 2017.
8. Fandango Staff. “Security – Movie Details and Reviews.” Fandango.
9. FilmBooster.com.au Staff. “Security (2017) – User Reviews.”
FilmBooster.com.au.
10. Christie Cronan. “Security Movie Review.” Common Sense Media. June 12,
2024.
11. SlashFilm Staff. “‘Security’ Trailer: Antonio Banderas Gets His Own ‘Die
Hard’ In A Mall.” SlashFilm. June 9, 2017.
This review was conducted in accordance with content policies and represents
analysis based on available production information, critical reception, and
audience reviews of Security (2017).
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