For all its B-gradeness "A Better Way To Die" is definitely entertaining. It rolls along at a great pace and has a few nice twists and turns. The section with "Flash", played by Joe Pantoliano (Cypher in "The Matrix"), has got a great Stephen King quirky feel to it that, unfortunately, ends all too soon.

The action scenes are well thought out, with some very innovative variations on old themes. Considering various attributes that strike this film as a low budget number, the script is surprisingly good, aiming to examine the motivations of the characters a bit more than usual. The cast isn't exactly stellar, but does a convincing job all the same. Lou Diamond Phillips does a good job and there are a few other familiar faces in there like Andre Braugher (Striking Distance).

If you like this movie you will probably like "Thursday" (Woods, 1998) which is one of the most under-rated films of its ilk. Don't expect too much from this one though, just suspend all belief and strap in for a good ride!