Major Grom: Der Pestdoktor

I think both the 10 star reviews and the 1-2 ones are way off chart here. The movie is somewhere in the middle.

This is a typical action movie with lots of cliches that have proven to work over time. It is what people call a popcorn movie, just some fun entertainment. For what it is, it is enjoyable. And after watching the latest Hollywood movie in the same style (F9), I have to say, I enjoyed this one more.

I never expected it to be anything that good. No, really, it's fun! First, it is a really well-made piece of filming. Second, this is a real superhero movie, a fact even more surprising, taken that... well, let's be frank, Russians do not know anything of comic books and superheros. It's just not in the culture. But this one time they did it!

Igor Gromov (Grom ~ Thunder) is a superhero without superpowers. You may think of him as a total anti-Batman: he wears no mask , owns no money (lives in poverty literally), has no fame, but he acts in absolutely the same manner as Bruce Wayne: using his brain, and his knuckles, and never taking a life. You will find other references to Gotham, too: the police department, for example, and some other places, which are totally unrealistic for Russia. But the rest is just a thick layer of everyday Saint-Petersburg life smeared over slices of the most truthfully taken city center. Together, the hero and the city background make the most wonderful mix! As for the story, it is much different from those done by Marvel or DC. I'd even say it is quite unique. It runs along a different kind of track, and it has different climax points and unexpected turns.

Overall. Good writing. Good acting. Good CG. I'll say it again, this is a just a very well made movie. And it is fun! Probably the very first real Russian superhero movie that really made it!

OK it helps tremendously that the casting is ideal, but after a surfeit of Marvel and Disney movies, I have to say I enjoyed every minute of this movie. Good on Russia and I do hope Netflix picks up more of the same. Interesting characters, new faces (of course!) great settings and not a bad plot. And Igor Gromov is so very easy on the eyes and a lot more fun to watch than a plastic, sour plum Batman. Never seen so many great cheekbones in one movie.

It's a nice surprise. A Russian film, but one that looks like a Hollywood blockbuster, and that's a compliment. The film has a good art direction and features action scenes that are not crude. A mixture of batman, the joker and V for Vendetta with a dash of stylistic comedy makes this Russian movie an entertaining watch.

Fun Movie, Russian with English dub. Kind of a cross between Jack Reacher and Batman. Hope they make another.