The fact that the film, starring Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, is an action-comedy has angered survivors of the Sun Gym gang's crimes and those who investigated them nearly two decades ago.

NPR: Survivors Angry Over 'Pain & Gain' Depiction

The mid-budget thriller, which also stars former wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, marks a change of pace for the director of Pearl Harbour and the Transformers films.

BBC: Iron Man 3 betters Avengers international debut

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shrugged off aliens so he could get more milk for his kids in a Super Bowl spot for the Milk Processor Education Program.

NPR: Oh The Drama! Super Ads Go Epic

Everything Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson touches these days turns to gold, from the film franchises he whips into blockbusters, to the diamond-encrusted WWE championship belt he drapes over his shoulder before he hits the ring to lay the smack down one more time in his triumphant return to the company.

WSJ: The Rock is ready to roll as WrestleMania nears

In Walking Tall (2004), a veteran is undoubtedly heroic - he's played by action hero Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock.

BBC: Iraq, camera, action: Films struggle with war's legacy