When you think of screen icons, Sylvester Stallone's name often pops up. Back in the 70's, he virtually came out of nowhere with the classic underdog story Rocky. Sadly, the last decade hasn't been that kind to the Italian Stallion. It seems every film he appears in, he's sort of playing a caricature of himself.

That's not to say I don't like the guy. I enjoy many of his films and often feel that many people forget that Stallone can be a talented force on screen. Take a look at Copland. Not only is it a terrific film, but it contains what I think is the performance of Stallone's career and it all but tanked at the box office. It saddens me that Stallone's new film Get Carter is such a lame excuse for an action flick, because I was pulling for him on this one. In this remake of the Mike Hodges thriller, Stallone plays a badass hitman named, you guessed it, Carter.

He returns to his violent home town to avenge the death of his brother. Finding the culprit proves to be difficult and Carter finds himself back in a world he desperately wants to forget. Stallone is subtle in this film and he tries to inject a dose of humanity into this character, but nothing really works. Get Carter has a very strong cast including Mickey Rourke, Alan Cumming, and Michael Caine. They are all wasted in this tediously plotted film.

Perhaps the weakest link in Get Carter is director Stephen Kay (The Mod Squad). His direction is sluggish to say the least. Much of the film is confused and convoluted. The editing style is more intrusive than anything else. In fact this is some of the worst editing I've ever seen in a film, so bad in fact, it makes the film seem amateurish. I have no doubt that Stallone has some good work left in him. Get Carter certainly isn't it and his next film Driven (a formula one racing picture from Renny Harlin) looks like a lemon from here. Come on Sly, there is a chance for you to prove yourself. Stop doing this crap and deliver us the winner your capable of .