Die Sieger

Decent film - if you pay attention to the cast of characters, but you never

really become attached to the team and they really aren't even close to invincible.

Special-unit policeman Karl Simon sees someone who is supposed to be dead, and is caught up in a whirlwind of political corruption and treachery. His job and happy family are threatened by a sexy affair, a kidnapping scheme, and accusations of being an accomplice to a crime. He is used as a pawn in a game but ends up playing by his own rules, in a cat-and-mouse thrilling chase that ends in a climactic cable-car scene set high in the Bavarian Alps. Complex film merits close attention as double-cross meets double-double-cross.

This film came recommended as a good action film, which I don't really think it is. I found the story convoluted and not all that easy to follow. There really isn't that much action until the end of the film and it's pretty dark and hard to see what's really happening. I was sure hoping for something different, but, alas, didn't find it here.

Graf's masterpiece is a rare example of German moviemakers' capabilities to produce real action stuff. Engaging a top cast of young German actresses and actors, he made a thrilling movie about secret agents, politicians and - yes - even some erotics.

"Die Sieger" was highly recommended to be one of the few good action movies made in Germany. I watched it last night and I must admit, that I am deeply disappointed. If that is supposed to be "the last best hope" for entertaining and challenging German action cinema, well then there is not much left.

"Die Sieger" tries to be sexy, daring and furious but it is nothing of that kind. The characters are wooden and stereotype and whenever they do something unexpected (which doesn't happen too much) the act against their nature. That makes it hard - for me almost impossible - to follow them or even identify with them.

Most of all I think the film is very bad cast. There is not one character in whom I believe. Maybe the superior officer at the SWAT unit - but that's about it. Those people that try to look like or act like special units, like elite cops - I don't believe them. Not for a second.

The story is not so bad after all. But I think it's badly told. You don't get to know the bad guy at all - for example. And when after a "very dark" show down Karl Simon (the good guy) asks his already dead opponent "why? ... what for?" I did ask myself that very same question, knowing, that Dominik Graf wouldn't have the answer.

I sincerely hope - no - I believe that Germany can do better, even with action films.