emaan
Joined Mar 1999
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Reviews10
emaan's rating
The twist and reveal plot is definitely entertaining but all in all, it feels like a lesser effort trying to ape non-linear action-thriller hits like Pulp Fiction, Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels, etc. The way this film reveals important pieces of the puzzle through flashbacks is inferior to the above examples because they feel more like 'the butler did it' cop-outs instead of integral story moments... again, these are signs of a not-so-well thought out script.
Another element that isn't strong enough to warrant a 'keeper' rating of 7 or better: weak dialogue. It's all very mundane and nothing really makes you feel the characters are interesting individuals with their own motivations. Nothing really dark or menacing to drive up the tension (the set-up murder was OPERATIC in the victims' hysteria and emotional), and hardly any comedic moments, except those meant to play off Mr Slevin's "I'm a nice guy, why are you doing this to me?" schmuck facade.
This one does better than the other try-hard movie in my book - THE BIG HIT - purely because the director and actors are more confident and capable. They saved the writer(s), really.
Another element that isn't strong enough to warrant a 'keeper' rating of 7 or better: weak dialogue. It's all very mundane and nothing really makes you feel the characters are interesting individuals with their own motivations. Nothing really dark or menacing to drive up the tension (the set-up murder was OPERATIC in the victims' hysteria and emotional), and hardly any comedic moments, except those meant to play off Mr Slevin's "I'm a nice guy, why are you doing this to me?" schmuck facade.
This one does better than the other try-hard movie in my book - THE BIG HIT - purely because the director and actors are more confident and capable. They saved the writer(s), really.
What did the critics see in this? I'm totally with the nay-sayers! I kept expecting a plot revelations from the way Dave confronted Sean during his interrogation... like maybe the 'truth' as shown in the beginning of the film is actually a fabrication... that perhaps there was a GOOD REASON for both Jimmy and Sean to hate Dave. I kept speculating during the movie that maybe all 3 kids were abducted, but that only Dave managed to escape... It was all for nothing in the end. Dave was a victim twice over for nothing. Jimmy didn't have to pay for his sins. Sean caught the killers but still didn't do his job right.
Unsatisfying.
Unsatisfying.
Entertaining enough, with a wicked villain to really tweak your
emotion buttons. But the most vivid memory I had was of the
"happy interlude" when our heroes reunited with their loved ones
at the village and Heath Ledger decided, "Heck, we may be at war -
but I still wanna get married!". Perfect setup for the tragedy that
follows soon after (ahem, the burning church... newly wedded
bride included.)
I won't be watching this again on DVD anytime soon.
emotion buttons. But the most vivid memory I had was of the
"happy interlude" when our heroes reunited with their loved ones
at the village and Heath Ledger decided, "Heck, we may be at war -
but I still wanna get married!". Perfect setup for the tragedy that
follows soon after (ahem, the burning church... newly wedded
bride included.)
I won't be watching this again on DVD anytime soon.