The Mercenary

Luckily I found out in advance that this film was nothing like what the cover art suggested it would be and even though it also goes under the title THE MERCENARY the plot doesn't really revolve around any kind of mercenary. It's really a very odd film but I didn't think it was bad at all. The plot was intriguing enough to draw my attention and it was very different to other films Gary Daniels had appeared in before.

I thought about giving a synopsis which I don't normally do so that people would have a better idea of what to expect but I discovered the plot actually sounds more confusing than it really is. If you watch the film itself the plot makes more sense because there is more than one character story and sometimes it goes from being a supernatural drama to a love story to an action movie and during the third act it's all three at once.

On the technical side it's really well made, the cinematography is very nicely done and the acting isn't all that bad. The characters do start to grow on you after a while and granted the film isn't perfect by any means.

Overall, it's a very odd film but not bad but I recommend you ignore the cover art as it doesn't really represent what the film really is about. You can expect to see an intriguing plot that is more of a supernatural story with a bit of romance and a few mild action scenes.

Wow, another drive you crazy DVD rental that wants you to pick up in the video stores and cheat you to waste several $s and a section of your lifetime that you could never get back. The screenplay is so stupid and ridiculous. The Latino actor who played in the "Machete" has become so popular and he's so smart to cash in while he's still hot or lukewarm. This time, he played a tribal magician who could heal the blind and could see his massacred tribal people.... Give me a break.

I simply couldn't find any excuse to watch along after 20 minutes. The scenario is so stupid and the acting...!? The reason why I still want to write a review is because I consider myself a good Samaritan, I don't want you to waste your hard earned money to waste on this pathetic movie.

When I saw The Joker, about a week ago it made me want to write a review on IMDb because I liked the idea of a pulp movie with depth. I talked about it with my cinephile friends.

One of the guy in the group, the one who likes all the B film, mentioned The Lazarus Papers, and said it was also an art house film, mixed with a supernatural thriller. He lent me his copy, and I couldn't believe it, especially once I saw it had a cover of types of films I really despise.

I gave it go, and a lo and behold to my shocked it delivered.

Since I mentioned The Joker earlier on I want to make a clear distinction where the Joker is pulp film with a budget to make an epic A-list film, The Lazarus Papers is a pulp film with a minor budget to make it one of its B-list counterpart.

It's an art film with a b-movie feel. While the mood is art house and the pace moves forward.

The film has a fantastic message about life, death, and the yearning of living to the fullest even in the direst circumstances. Good acting overall, dialogue, drama, locations, editing, photography, unique and original mood. I don't see a flaw.

The setting, the violence, some of the scenes are shocking, the supernatural elements, and the presence of Danny Trejo, Bai Ling, and Tiny Lister. Give it a solid and well done B feel.

Acting wise Trejo is completely out of character, and Lister, in a much smaller role, while still a bad guy he is not typecast. They both do a great job, it's jaw dropping in the case of Trejo. Bai Ling, while giving a good performances, is typecast but it's fine since her role doesn't over reach either.

Our two leads are played by unknown but working actors, who do a great job. The main villain is played by a guy named Gary Daniels who I just found out is also action film actor. I personally would have never guessed, I just thought it was a random unknown actor doing a first rate job. For his fans I recommend it, only if you want to see him doing something different and doing it well.

Finally it's a slap in the face on expectation, weirdness, and quality. A supernatural art house thriller is the best way to describe it. A must see.

I bought this DVD ages ago during a sale, got lost in my shelves, and stumbled upon it recently.

Lucky for me I read reviews that told me that unlike the cover, I would get a weird art house supernatural thriller.

Some reviewers who were con into buying the film thinking they would get a Gary Daniels meets Danny Trejo action packed adventure, and gave it an overwhelmingly bad score.

The reviewers who watched it for its face value have enjoyed it, some saying it's an underrated gem. Sadly for the film they are in the minority.

I am right in the middle, while I do agree it's underrated it's far from being a gem. It might be question of taste too.

This is what I liked about it you have Trejo, and Daniels out of their usual typecast doing an outstanding job so does the rest of the cast, and the film held me to the end. Also I did get a few chuckles out Trejo playing a mystical healer. He does a good job but it's so unusual.

I am a person who is not too crazy about experimental films/fantasy/art house. I like my films set in reality. So its just not my cup tea. I have a friend who has completely different set of taste, and I have seen films like that who left a bigger impression on me.

My final thought, once you know what to expect it's quite ok.

After the first part of this movie, I wanted to turn it off due to its dark depressing matter. However, the movie takes you into a very dark place in order to set the stage for the redemption that the female lead makes at the end.

I won't deny that this movie is flawed at nearly every level, its cinematography being the one redeeming value, but the lead actress does grow on you and at the end of the movie you feel as though you have been on a journey with her. A little more than half-way through the movie you begin to see that the tone is moving from the darkness into a story of redemption and a lesson that love conquers fear. The movie was courageous in that it took you deeper into despair in the beginning and held you there longer than most movies will dare, and I admit I turned it off in the middle and came back to finish it the next day. The end leaves you feeling good, providing you don't feel like you wasted your time watching it, which I don't.

So if you like movies with a heart-felt message that love is the path to healing, and you haven't got anything better to do, this movie will suffice. If you don't care about that subject matter, and you want to critique the movie based on its writing, directing, editing and acting, I would say pass it up.

I am interested to see how this writer/director does on his next film, which is currently in pre-production according to IMDb.