Siberia

The plot sounded interesting, but it really was hard to like it because of these two losers. I found you couldn't identify with the characters at all. A rather empty story, a movie that tried to be cool, but failed. Rent only if there isn't anything else available.

Since last summer I am a big fan of Dutch cinematography. I saw movies of Jos Stelling, Gert de Graaff, Paula van der Oest and Mike van Diem. Every movie represents absolutely different style, but all of them are on the highest level. And so is Siberia. It is not the best I have ever seen, but it is a professional movie with very good story. Sometimes it is good to see "wrong" heroes. You don´t have to agree with every thing they do but still you can enjyo it. What I want is to see some Czech movies like this - showing the problems of the presence and not the past. And not trying to solve them. So I vote 8/10.

"Watch out ...... these guys are dangerous" This poster displayed in Amsterdam warns visiting tourists that all is not well in the streets of the big city because Hugo and Goof are abroad with intent to rob female backpackers after having a night of sex with them. Their technique seems faultless. Show a little kindness to the visitor by suggesting suitable accommodation for the night and hey presto! the takings are soon in the kitty. That is, until silly Goof falls in love with Lara from Siberia.

The situations are quite amusing and the repartee between the two guys quite witty. It's a nice twist when Hugo's mother keeps telephoning him on his mobile at the most inappropriate moments. "Not now, mother, I'm on day shift!" The pace of the film is just right although I think the use of the blurry black and white segments interspersed with the colour is somewhat overdone. Sudden bursts of white flashes and out of focus characters do little to explain what is going on. The music however blends nicely with the action and pushes the story along. The writers make attempts to lift the film at the end by inserting a comic scene after the credits. Here they are, Hugo and Goof, stumbling across the snowy waste land of Siberia calling for Lara at the top of their voices which indicates I think that despite all their cunning and devious behaviour neither one of them has much between the ears.

I did like this movie. Mostly because it is just much fun and very recognizable, mainly becuase it plays in Amsterdam, where I live. But it is more than just a fun movie. Although it isn't brilliant, it is good enough.

A feel good movie which makes you glad to live in Amsterdam, glad you are not a tourist here!

Badly cut, terrible acting, horrible writing, slick cinematography that just cares about looking good. You're just thinking: 'So What?' Boring and stupid.