Desejo de Matar

Remakes are usually waste of time, destroying classic films with lower quality rip-offs using the marketing of the original success as an easy way of promotion. A remake of 1974 Charles Bronson´s "Death Wish", maybe his most famous film, sounds an absurd based on the notorious storyline. However, Eli Roth once again succeeds in making an entertaining film, a kind of update of the plot despite the same storyline, with veteran actors and actresses and great music score. If you are neither intellectual nor professional critic and like action movies, you will certainly enjoy "Death Wish" (2018). My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Desejo de Matar" ("Death Wish")

A remake of Michael Winner's Death Wish, that in itself is kind of depressing. How can the filmmakers be so unaware of the times we're living in or maybe they are not, unaware. If they know what they're doing then it's just unforgivable. But if one tries to put all that aside and try to see it just as a movie without any deep or ugly intentions, still doesn't work. No, not for a moment. We've all seen it before, a million times. and much, much better.

A remake of the iconic 1974 film, it follows Dr Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) a man who has a happy life with his wife and daughter until they are both brutalised in their own home by a group of burglars. When seeing the police are overloaded with unsolved crimes, Paul decides to exact vigilante justice for himself. I was expecting this to be not great at all as a remake but I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it's worth a watch! The vigilante scenes are really twisted fun and the gore in some pleasantly surprised me. Director Eli Roth (Hostel, House With A Clock In Its Walls) and writer Joe Carnahan (The Grey, Narc) adapt a new version of the story which knows what it is and has a fun B-movie aesthetic while also holding good performances and emotional moments. The performances are pretty good; Willis is of course a legendary actor and we know this one is nothing out of his comfort zone but when the story needs badassery, emotion and pathos, he is great! It's great to see Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas, Hollow Man) in a Hollywood film again and she's such a talented actress! Daughter Jordan played by Camila Morrone is also really great along with Vincent D'Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Men In Black) as Paul's brother who is so good. I was interested from the start and enjoyed it more and more as it went on; cool soundtrack too!

Poor old Bruce is showing his age. If you can forgive the lack of 'Die Hard' action and replace it with gore, brain matter being splattered everywhere and a good feel factor ending, this is a great watch during lockdown. Bruce's character is likeable and believable. The storyline (ignoring the original Charles Bronson movie) is plausible and as mentioned, enough gore and satisfying 'punisher' style payback to keep fans happy. There was no cringy old man exertion and silly fights. Just a man being a vigilante. Nicely made and a decent pace with the right amount of action and a few smiles and puns on the way

Well done Bruce, this was your kind of movie. A kind of die hard for a 65 year old ex action hero.

Please note the difference between user reviews and pitiful critic scores.

This movie was well written, thoughtfully acted and I was most impressed by the characters of Paul and Frank (Willis and D'Onofrio, respectively).

Director Eli Roth brings the fun, gory, and pro-gun flick to life and makes every second worth your while.

I highly recommend this film and believe this was a hit, not a miss.