I agree that the pacing in the second half left something to be desired. Not that I was expecting an epic final showdown in the first place; the main bad guy was basically a bureaucrat.

Even so, the fight scenes in the first half were dope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLw9eftLgv0

I suggest that everyone who has seen Haywire check out The Limey. Same director and writer. A lot of the scenes are almost completely recycled towards the end.

[spoilers below, highlight to read ]
The assault on her father's house, the final showdown on the beach, even the manner in which Kenneth eats it at the end.