Scarfies

Started watching this film a little apprehensive - seemed to be much like other films made in New Zealand. Made you question what you would do in this position, a little slow to start but a very enjoyable film. Must see films for anyone who enjoys New Zealand films such as Goodbye Pork Pie and Smash Palace.

This movie is a bit like a college flick mixed with elements of shallow grave....Both the actors and the story are interesting. I also like the way it's been cut - the story keeps moving and never realy bores....nice movie overall.

This is one of those unknown movies you rent on a gamble - most are bad and some shine - this is a definite gem.

7.4/10

Provides a wonderful view of Dunedin and the student lifestyle. Dunedin is very much a University town which becomes sleepy during the breaks (I know - I used to live there) so focusing on students is great. The plot is quite good and realistic but the thriller side of the movement isn't as thrilling as it perhaps could be. The suspense isn't built high enough. However it does bring up some very interesting questions about life and being true to what you believe in.

Scarfies to me was a mix of Shallow Grave, Suicide Kings and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. All good movies. The story-line (5 young students find an abandoned cellar full of soft-drugs and become dope dealers for one day, but then they meet the 'real' dealer) isn't that special or really original. However, the way the story is told, the way the five act and the whole situation still makes a very good movie.

That's the power of movie making: the way you tell the story and the way you choose to let your actors act. New Zealand is producing lot's of good movies lately and this is one that you definitely want to see if you're into the black-humor thing. The twist at the end (I won't spoil it) is clever found and still leaves you with an afterthought. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would give it an 8.

SCARFIES is a good movie, with intense situations and even well thought out responses by the characters to said intense situations. Unfortunately the whole thing collapses with a 10-minute farcical ending that begs to be redone.

Also, I've read people comment that the kids were complex. Wow. Did we see the same movie? Let's see: The a$$hole guy/bad boy; the rich girl who falls for the bad boy; the sensitive guy; the weirdo kid who wants to get in the rich girl's pants; and the sensitive girl. Gee, how complex.

Nothing too great. Good, decent movie, but a really, really stupid ending that cheats. A better ending would have offered us something dark, something bloody. Instead we get an ending that "makes everything all right". I thought only Hollywood did crap like this. Apparently not.