“Murder Syndicate” (** out of four) was an uninspired action melodrama about the matriarch (Diane Robin) of a large crime family who suddenly falls ill leaving her empire in disarray and her various children (Steven Martini, Jessica Morris, and others) to wage brutal warfare as to who will take over. Action, brutality, and tough talk by-the-numbers in this half-hearted underworld thriller. Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham used to make movies like this in their sleep. Writer/director Michael Matteo Rossi has a minor part as a thug.