The Package (I) (2012) User Reviews

A definite step up from the other Austin films I've seen

[udar55 · 6/10 · 27 March 2013]

I watched THE PACKAGE last night and was surprised by it; mostly because the earlier Austin vehicles I had seen (HUNT TO KILL, TACTICAL FORCE) were really bad. Austin is still really stiff (both acting and physically) but the director plays upon these traits better than the previous helmers. Also, director Jesse Johnson handled the action scenes a lot better than most, not resorting to the shaky cam crap that a lot of DTV action guys use. Of course, the highlight for me is Dolph Lundgren, who delivers another juicy co-starring role much like he did in the Cuba Gooding, Jr. action flick ONE IN THE CHAMBER last year. While I'd still like to see Dolph get back in the directing chair, these smaller roles are good enough to fill the time in between.

Delivered

[LeonLouisRicci · 6/10 · 20 April 2013]

This Direct to Video rides the trend of the teaming of two, count 'em, Action Stars for the price of one and it is better than one would expect. It looks pretty good and shows-off some stylish non Action camera work and a strong if padded plot that is not bad.

There is enough here for Fans and maybe even enough for Slummers who dropped in just to make fun but found it reluctantly enjoyable. The Story Thread keeps things strung together as it weaves familiar fisticuffs and gun battles together with some mildly interesting supporting Characters of note.

This is probably as good as this type of thing gets and while it is attractive in a wet, dull, and gray way, it may have included one meaningless sub-plot too many (the wife or the brother, take your pick). But in the end it succeeds in its business to kick, punch, and shoot its way onto your Big-Screen TV with just a little more added story and umph than expected.

Another Steve Austin movie, this time with Dolph Lundgren...do I really need to say more? I say C.

[cosmo_tiger · 5/10 · 8 February 2013]

"I need a package delivered to the German." Tommy (Austin) has an easy task. All he has to do is deliver a package to a man named the German (Lundgren) and his brother's debts will be wiped and he will be free. What starts as an easy task takes a deadly turn when he finds out what the package is and then is followed by another gang who wants their hands on it too. I know what your thinking Steve Austin and Dolph Lundgren in the same movie...how can that be bad?? Well, sorry to disappoint but this is not all that impressive. I do have to admit that of all these generic B action movies that seem to constantly come out at least Austin's movies are entertaining, mainly because of the little jokes he says. This is no different. Really nothing to say except if you like Austin's movies you will like this one as well. Overall, not as bad as I expected. I give it a C.

Austin and Lundgren deliver the Package

[rgblakey · 5/10 · 2 March 2013]

After a long string of action films and the highly successful Expendables series, action starts Dolph Lundgren and Steve Austin team up to deliver an all-new action film The Package. Both these guys have proved themselves numerous times over and it's always exciting to see these kinds of guys team up to deliver the action, but does The Package deliver or need to be returned to sender?

The Package follows a man with a simple job to deliver a package to a crime lord named The German, but when another gang tries to steal the cargo, he is forced to fight to deliver it safely. But when he realizes the package isn't what he thought it puts him in deeper trouble than he thought. When you take two big bad ass guys like Austin and Lundgren you have certain expectations in an action movie. This movie plays OK, but nowhere near as fun and over the top action as you may hope. Lundgren is given some interesting new territories to go with a character that isn't the norm for what he does. Austin seems to be the more focal point of the story and has some decent action moments, but overall the film just doesn't deliver the epic punch you may hope for pitting these two together. The story is fine and simple enough to serve its point and they both do a fine job, it just seems to be missing something overall. What action is here is pretty good and Austin is getting better and better at delivering more realistic fighting instead of his wrestler persona style. Lundgren has always been a pro at the action scenes and is no different here.

Overall this is a fine film, just falls a bit short when it comes to delivering to big action guys like this together. As far as action films it still holds up well enough and even manages to toss in its own bit twists here and there to make it a bit more interesting. Let's just hope these guys get another just together at some point to really deliver that great action film we hoped for.

Feels very bogged down

[Wizard-8 · 21 February 2013]

Steve Austin and Dolph Lundgren put in the same movie? Well, the direct to DVD industry in recent years has been pairing various B movie stars together, so that should come as no surprise. What's surprising about this Canadian/American co-production is that unlike most movies with Canadian involvement, they have a Canadian aspect in the movie's story - the movie is (partly) set in Canada. The plot of the movie will probably be of no surprise to most viewers - they will have seen the "delivery of a mysterious package" story countless times before, and they will more or less guess (like me) the twist near the end concerning the package long before it happens. But the predictable script did not bother me. What DID bother me was how sluggish the entire enterprise feels. The story unfolds very slowly when things should have been more speedy. And the action sequences - the main selling point of the movie - are sluggishly directed, lacking impact and nastiness. I have to admit that I almost nodded off a couple of times, because there was nothing to capture my attention. A very boring movie.

The movie is your basic routine low-budget action film, nothing more and nothing less.

[Hellmant · 5/10 · 21 June 2013]

'THE PACKAGE': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Steve Austin and Dolph Lundgren star in this B action film directed by stuntman turned director Jesse V. Johnson. The film tells the story of a courier, working for a local mob boss, delivering a valuable package to another crime lord. It was written by Derek Kolstad (who also co-wrote another action film last year starring Lundgren, with Cuba Gooding Jr., called 'ONE IN THE CHAMBER'). The movie is your basic routine low-budget action film, nothing more and nothing less.

Austin plays Tommy Wick, a courier working for a crime lord, named Big Doug (Eric Keenleyside), who takes on an assignment to deliver a package to another mob boss nicknamed 'The German' (Lundgren). He takes the job in order to clear all debt his imprisoned brother, Eddie (Lochlyn Munro), owes Big Doug. The task seems easy enough until he's attacked by a rival gang and his partner is killed. He then must fight for his life, the rest of the way to his destination, in order to make sure the package is delivered securely (without it falling in to the wrong hands).

The movie has some decent action and fight scenes and the production values aren't too bad for this type of film. It seems like Johnson could make a decent action film director if he only had better scripts to work with. The story ends with a nice twist but for the most part it's routine and filled with pretty bad dialogue. The movie is also filled with pretty atrocious acting but Austin and Lundgren deliver the goods that fans of theirs depend on them for. There's also a few good supporting turns by Darren Shahlavi and William B. Davis (of 'THE X-FILES' fame) as bad guys. If you're a fan of any of these actors, or these type of films, you'll probably enjoy this movie.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF2KmRw-Kng

This is one of Stone Cold's better STD films. Dolph Lundgren steals the show

[callanvass · 5/10 · 31 October 2013]

This is pretty average as far as films are concerned, but considering how terrible a few of Austin's STD films are, this is high praise. I'm a huge Stone Cold Steve Austin fan. Despite that he has nothing to work with a lot of the time, with these STD movies I always check them out when they are released. This one actually has some decent character development. Steve Austin does what he does best, play an anti hero, only without the rattlesnake persona. He's not quite ready to take on such a mysterious role, but he doesn't embarrass himself either. He definitely has presence, and commands your attention at all times. With better scripts, and more experience, Steve Austin can unequivocally be a top action star in Hollywood. He's not the greatest WWE superstar of all time for nothing. It's actually Dolph Lundgren who steals the show. His dark sense of humor was a hoot, and he hammed it up big time. Lundgren has really improved over the years with his acting, and he clearly relishes the villain role. I enjoyed him a lot. I wouldn't say this was filled with action, but it has just enough to keep your attention. For a STD film, it's not too shabby. Never something I'll watch again, but Stone Cold is on the right track

5.2/10

Lundgren loyalty here...

[dragonlady_872 · 7/10 · 20 October 2013]

I've read the reviews and I must say; some are very harsh. I also find the apparent lack of open-mindedness to be frustrating. It's a movie and they should evoke a sense of fun and excitement no matter the content. I've seen near all of Dolph Lundgren's movies and not all are great, not all are amazingly well written but all have something decent about them and this one is no different. I'm not the one to go to if you want to see someone denigrate someone's work. I try to find the good points in everything.

The Package, while ill acted at times, does have a good story line.

Tommy, played by Steve Austin, is the hired muscle employed by the mob. He's married, loves his wife and wants a better life for both of them. He doesn't like what he does and he doesn't feel good about it but he does what he has to, to make a life and pay the bills.

Tommy is paying off his brothers debt to his boss and with one more job, he is promised an "out" and a clean slate for his brother. The only thing he has to do is deliver a package to a man only known as "The German" played by Dolph Lundgren.

As he travels to his destination he is followed and attacked repeatedly by thugs from all sides. Their intentions are to take the package, kill Tommy and collect a huge payday. What they don't understand is that "The Package" is not what they think it is and Tommy is not just a delivery boy.

If you look past the semi bad acting you find a story that is actually pretty good. You end up routing for Tommy and feeling bad for "The German".

Not every bad guy is bad for bad reasons. Sometimes they need to be bad for a good reason.

Mediocre - yes, total flop - no

[BeneCumb · 5/10 · 28 April 2013]

The movies with Austin and/or Lundgren are no gems having an effect on world cinema, but, however, there are hundreds of kick-butt-and-face movies without no plot (almost). The essence of The Package is quite witty, the ending complex is versatile and includes not-so-trivial solutions - not all guilty ones get killed etc. Of course, there is ample pointless violence and reckless shooting, pre mortem reasoning, and WWE star Austin is not very credible type of caring husband. Nevertheless, you can follow the story with some interest and there are no long scenes where nothing happens; you can kill your 1,5 hours without yawning and realize that 55 years old Lundgren is still fit and often more interesting than in his youth.

A Fun Action Tale

[mbeck-64384 · 6/10 · 12 January 2019]

For being a low budget film, this one delivers quite a punch. Fight scenes are gritty and choreographed well. No CGI here, just good old fashioned camera work. Don't expect to be blown away, the movie knows it's audience.

Austin Surprised Me

[tkdlifemagazine · 5/10 · 24 July 2023]

I don't know anything about Steve Austin but he was very good in this low budget action movie. He has good screen presence and more depth than many other contemporaries. In fact, in this one, I prefer him to Dolph Lundgren, who is normally pretty good. Austin is a collector who gets assigned to deliver a package to Lundgren, and the job is more than he bargained for. The script and dialogue are the weakest element. The are some unnecessary complexities that confuse things. The Direction by Jesse V. Johnson is always good. This is a low budget film, but with managed expectations it is watchable.

Great film with hard and tense action and fighting

[nims-1975 · 8/10 · 23 November 2018]

The Package is a very good film which I enjoyed watching. There were a few things about this film that stopped it from being an excellent film, but it was a film that did deliver and it really was a film that had some hard, tense and violent action and some awesome fight scenes. The fight scenes in this film were just awesome. Stone Cold Steve Austins character Tommy Wick had to use his fighting skills to fight against some pretty powerful people with Martial Arts skills. Dolph Lundgren is an actor I'm not too keen on but don't hate. Acting as the very dangerous and malicious killer called The German, he was very good and it was great to see him in this film alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Package was also a film that had very good acting by Stone Cold Steve Austin as Tommy Wick, Dolph Lundgren as The German, Eric Keenleyside as Big Doug, John Novak as Nicholas, Kristen Kerr as Darla and Darren Shahlavi as Devon.

Good , gritty action film, don't pay attention to the whiners

[je2643 · 7/10 · 14 June 2013]

I read some of the other reviews, and I concluded they must be by the fembot, art history major, wanna be a critic crowd. This is a straight up action film, with much of the action meaty hand to hand fighting. And it does a good job of portraying the fact that most such combat is pretty brutal.

There are girls, they are beautiful, one is deadly, the other is lovely. The roles they play are secondary.

Dolph has aged a lot, and unless it is the makeup, I think not to well. But he continues to carry the style he has shown in several recent action movies, as a menacing, brooding threat. From the outset we are aware he is a threat, but the relationship of this threat to the main protagonist is not clear.

For me, Steve Austen was a pleasant surprise. I recall another of his movies, and he was not good at all. This was much better, and the director played to all his strengths in respect of both his verbal and action abilities.

There were several little plot twists, and a few surprises along the way, which added to the enjoyment.

There are a number of recognizable supporting characters, which is also a pleasant surprise.

So my conclusion is that if you are hunting around for an action movie one night with some time to kill, this movie is for consideration. No, its not Gladiator, or Star Wars, or the Avengers, or Saving Private Ryan, but thank god, its not Brokeback Mountain or some other drivel either. Its a decent regular budget action movie. Take it for what it is and you will be fine.

Pretty Disappointing

[jonathanmark-77048 · 2/10 · 23 March 2017]

Plot: A courier for a local crime lord must deliver a mysterious package while being chased by a horde of unusual gangsters.

This was very disappointing to me, especially having Lundgren and Austin in a movie together would've been great, but the problem is the story is not very interesting, the writing is sub-par at best, the action is lackluster compared to their other films, and worst of all its just boring. Austin and Lundgren do fine with what they do, but they aren't given much along with the rest of the cast. The villains are very one note and one dimensional. I'm glad the writer would then write the John Wick films which definitely improved his writing and gave the heroes and villains depth and motivations.

If you're a fan of either Lundgren or Austin, avoid it at all costs watch Hunt to Kill for Austin and Skin Trade for Dolph, they are more worth your time and they deliver what you want.

too awful to write a review

[rightwingisevil · 6 February 2013]

this film is so stupid and ridiculous that making a review is nothing but total waste of time, but IMDb forces reviewer to donate more words to be qualified for acceptance and, it's so painful that you have to try your best to add up enough words to be submitted.

first of all, the whole screenplay is nothing but a joke. austin is like a robot or superman immune to knife, re-bar, machine gun bullets, and i think kitchen sink or bathtub don't even count. he was shot so many times in this movie, but turned out to be fine, like nothing happened. he was cut so deep on his chest but like nothing happened. his fingers were broken by his captor, but later didn't show anything sensitive on his broken fingers and still beat up his enemies like nothing happened. well, the so-called "german" was another killing machine but with bad blood that needed to be pumped with good blood periodically. he also acted like invincible but later was beaten up by tommy, a nobody played by steve austin.

more funny thing was that tommy, the immortal got a wife, a sweetheart totally unnecessary for this movie.

well, another stupid arrangement was the so-called "the package", something mysteriously borrowed from "ronin", a attaché aluminum case nobody knows what the contents inside but everybody tried their best to kill others to get hold of it. this time, the "package" was a small pamphlet-sized file holder(?) that everybody, like in "ronin" tried every way to get hold of it. what's inside? well, who cares.

i've wasted all the time to watch it to the end. felt nothing but saw a lot of clueless fist fights, gun fights and anything that this genius director could think of and threw them in. what tommy got in the end was a bag of money, four big bundles of brand new dead president and walked away and went home to his sweetheart. do i need to add more? guess not.

Another forgettable action movie

[Maziun · 2/10 · 15 September 2013]

In this movie Sean Austin is the hero , while Dolph Lundgren is the villain. I'm not a fan of Steve Austin and I don't think that he has too many fans either. The fact that someone like Steve Austin is being now promoted as action movie star really shows how action movies miss a stars like Stallone , Schwarzenegger or Willis. Austin as an actor is only little better than Steven Seagal and he doesn't have any sort of style or charm. I doubt that anyone will remember him in the next 20 years .

Dolph Lundgren plays here a villain. Usually he's been good at this type of stuff ("Rocky 4" , "Johnny Mnemonic" , "The Expendables") , but strangely for him he fails here. Maybe it's because he plays here a character completely unsuited for him – intellectual in a robe , talking about how to make a good drink . It's bizarre to see Lundgren in this kind of role and despite the fact that he has one shootout and fighting scene he's pretty much wasted here.

"The Package" has a very decent production values , especially for a straight-to-DVD movie. It feels actually like a TV movie. Compare this to some of Seagal's most recent movies and you will see the difference.

The movie is pretty much a standard low budget action movie . There's nothing special about action scenes here . For most of time we have to sit and suffer watching as uninteresting characters played by bad actors talk and talk and talk (there's some pretty bad dialogue here). Same goes for the story with one exception – the ending . The ending , the big twist is REALLY SOMETHING GOOD . It's something I didn't expected . Too bad that the whole rest of movie sucks , because the ending deserved a much better movie.

Watch out for William B. Davis (Cigarette smoking man from "X-files") in small role of doctor. He actually gives the best performance in the whole movie.

If you want to see Steve Austin and Dolph Lundgren in one movie together you should watch "The Expendables" instead . I give it 2/10 (mostly because of the ending).

Avoid this, please. Wish I did.

[KentaroK · 1/10 · 7 February 2013]

Living without regrets has always been my way. Such a free and progressive life philosophy. Until this movie.

My friends in this group ("Jrock") decided to get together and watch this movie, and I boldly said that I would correct the oversight of there being no proper reviews for it... for once in my life, I feel an oppressive regret that I can only hope is healed by time.

First, let me apologize for spoiling it a bit. You are going to watch something else anyways (I hope) so please don't hate me, but a summary does not do the movie justice.

It stars "Stone Cold" and "Smoking Man (from X-Files)". Okay, so the latter is just a cameo near the end, but he does some good acting. It was a thrill to see him for the few minutes he was in it.

As for everyone and everything else, I was in disbelief the whole time. It wasn't funny, cheesy, or a parody of Ronin. It was just... sub-par. I mean, I don't know what they did wrong so that I can offer constructive criticism, it is like if they just couldn't do anything right, or put a movie together as a coherent whole.

I am sorry that I watched this, because it makes me doubt the validity of a "capitalist economy". Really, didn't somebody read the script and say "these people need good lines. We can't let just anybody write this stuff anymore. This is the era of dialogue that people can invest in".

Okay, if I describe it in parts, you may want to see it. Don't. It is less than the sum of its parts by far. Watch... anything else. Please.

Sorry, I'm so sorry, I wish I could save the world from this experience. Or at least fix the movie for you.

Sorry.

Testosterone fuelled mediocrity

[lopezpatricia-06139 · 2/10 · 6 September 2020]

Really stupid story line. And have you ever heard of villains that don't swear and curse. It's like it was written for kids. This concept was thought up after a boozey lunch.

For Men Only.

[actionfilm-2 · 7/10 · 26 February 2013]

At the time of this writing this film has 6 other reviews posted, most negative. Though difficult, I did come up with a few reasons to avoid this film: If you sell girl scout cookies, wear your sister's capri pants, share hair styling tips with your girlfriend, or watch Glee. I could go on but you get the picture. Bottom line, DTV film are rarely going to break any new ground in terms of action filmmaking, so hopefully by now action fans know this going in. Having said that, The Package is above average for such a film. A cool script, that is it mostly avoids ridiculous cliché dialog such as "I'm getting too old for this %$#" or the mandatory cursing that is often substituted for actual lines. Yes the story is old (as most all stories are), but here we get nicely written dialog. The direction is certainly above par, with plenty of well staged action shot in a terrific manner avoiding the jerky-cam style so prevalent today. The fight scenes are not the slapped together affairs often seen in many DTV films. Characters are interesting, including Dolph's (and no, his role is not a cameo). Anyone familiar with Martial artist/actor Jerry Trimble will enjoy his screen time. I recommend The Package not only for action fans, but lovers of romance, humor, and drama (sorry horror fans), and for any boy out there that hopes to one day grow into a man. Now that I've given it some thought, the film should be screened in high schools across the country as part of the "no male left behind" program.

Delivering

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 5 June 2015]

The Package is a routine action thriller made for the direct to DVD or VOD market. Steve Austin plays a collector for a local mobster who does what he does to pay a debt racked up by his brother.

The mobster gives Austin a chance to wipe his slate clean if he delivered a package to the German (Dolph Lundgren.)

As soon as Austin goes out to carry his task, other thugs attack him and pursue him repeatedly. It seems they want a big payday for themselves and steal The Package.

Meanwhile various people have a vendetta against The German as well who fends them off but he looks far from healthy.

Austin brings a quiet dignity to his role, which he has done in several other films. A decent man reduced to live a life he clearly dislikes. Lundgren buoyed by the cinema outings of The Expendables franchise gets to act flamboyant which he also did in One in the Chamber.

Its a low budget action film, a lot of action, some nifty fight scenes but the story is rather predictable, even bland. More dynamic directing would have helped.

IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?

[nogodnomasters · 7/10 · 8 August 2018]

Tommy (Steve Austin) plays strong arm for crime boss Big Doug (Eric Keenleyside). Tommy's brother Eddie (Lochlyn Munro) is in prison and owes Big Doug which is why clean cut Austin works for him. Tommy has an offer by Big Doug to clear Eddie's debt by delivering a package to "The German" (Dolph Lundgren). There are forces out there that want the package for themselves. We don't know what is in the package, until about midpoint, when we can figure it out before they tell us.

Dolph is introduced in a restaurant fight scene where he takes down about a half dozen to a dozen guys armed with automatic weapons by using a butter knife. Okay, it's a large butter knife. Tommy likewise has no trouble overcoming automatic weapons with his wits and fist. The climax scene where we expect the titans to fight was a let down.

It is a typical fun Austin film, made better by Lundgren playing a likeable villain, a role similar to "One in the Chamber." If you like action films with simple plots, tough guy characters, fair dialogue and acting optional, this one fits the bill. A worthy addition to any Stone Cold collection.

Parental Guide: No sex, nudity, or F-bombs that I recall.

What a mediocre movie again

[peterp-450-298716 · 3/10 · 7 May 2014]

A rather moderate B-movie. They made action movies like this in the 80' with the dozen. I think nowadays it's a new hype to gather all the old action heroes who are thinking about their retirement plan already in a movie (Other examples are Expendables and The Last stand). Dolf Lundgren still speaks as slow as a snail and Steve Austin still looks like a walking wardrobe, Louis XIV style or so.

The action was sometimes very fake and the story with the blood type was far-fetched and unbelievable. Like Dolf said: "The chance of finding a match is almost non-existent ..." but accidentally Steve is in the neighborhood. And they know each other from the past ... what a coincidence.

An unfortunate spectacle and probably the last feats of arms in cinematic terms of both gentlemen! PS. I've always wanted to know how the mechanism of a bowling alley worked in reality. At least something I've learned of this movie !

More reviews at http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be/

Good movie, don't listen to hollyweird liberals

[pittsburgh-73473 · 8/10 · 1 September 2018]

I'm not saying this is the best movie ever or even movie of the year but you hollyweird liberals give bad reviews on conservative actors just because of political beliefs and it's sickening.

Overall a fun movie

[joshuakenn · 7/10 · 21 May 2017]

To take this movie from a serious and completely professional perspective would be inappropriate. This movie has the feel of a crazy but captivating action movie that is enjoyable to watch and love. Sure, the acting may be a bit off at times, but the rest of the movie holds up surprisingly well. The musical scoring is good, the plot is a bit generic but isn't too cliché that it's frustrating, and the casting/scripts were chosen well.

To conclude, if you want to see a movie purely to just laugh and enjoy yourself, this is recommended.

I appreciate the effort... but why like this?

[bakels-1 · 3/10 · 15 March 2013]

This is a sub B-Movie without hiding it, but that is fine. The question is: why like this? Why not just try to let it make sense.

The plot is easy, there is just a little twist halfway; but it doesn't matter if you know it already or not. So, for the twist in the plot this movie also does not get any points.

The acting is bad, but fine. And the 50-something years old fighting like 25 year old kick- boxers; OK. I can deal with it.

The big problem is the fighting. When you fight for your life, you don't let anyone live; right? Well, you can make that mistake once, but why 3 times? And when you are in a shootout; you just don't empty your gun on 1 guy and then try to fight the next guy with a gun with your bare hands. And that happens at least 3 times. Or when you get a fisted, full power, in your face; and that for 5 times in a row, you just don't stand up. When you finally get somebody who tries to kill you on the ground, you don't wait until he gets up. So, when you make a movie with excessive violence (Gun and fighting), then at least try to make it believable please! I just don't get it that there was some writer of the script; who even tries to put some story line in the movie (even though he repeats the: "I will come for your family"-part once to often); but then he does not care to make it believable.

So my question is: why do people make a movie like this. Just to get paid? And who is investing in these kind of movies? Are you going to make money on these kind of projects? I really do wonder!