Tockinit not horrible nor great

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

sol- Based on Mark 'Chopper' Read's best-selling autobiography, this graphic drama looks at the notorious Australian criminal's life in and out of jail and his penchant for spinning detailed accounts of violent incidents that tended to stray from the truth. Eric Bana does well in the lead role as we gradually see just how deluded he is, operating under a false assumption that the local police endorse his killing and maiming drug dealers to clean up the streets, and yet the film ultimately feels like more of a collection of assorted events than a cohesive narrative. Some of the incidents are admittedly rather riveting, but others (particularly his girlfriend problems) tend to drag on for too long, especially given that the film's best moments are saved for his conversations with the police; there is a particularly amusing exchange about whether or not he took a man he shot to the hospital and there is a great conversation near the end involving a .410 shotgun. The film is curiously visualised too with unsettling unnatural blue and green light filters and even some slow motion bits. Viewed with Nicolas Winding Refn's similarly themed 'Bronson' in mind, what Bana and director Andrew Dominik manage to achieve here feels extremely slight by comparison, however, 'Chopper' was of course made first and the possible influences on 'Bronson' are intriguing to say the least.

Leofwine_draca Humour, strong violence and an art-house style plot line (weaving flashbacks with present scenes, fantasy and other memories) make up this cult Australian hit of a movie which helped bring comedian Eric Bana (BLACK HAWK DOWN) to worldwide fame. This ruthless, darkly-written tale charts the ups and downs of Bana's life as "Chopper", a notorious criminal who kills people in cold blood and has his own ears cut off in one gruesome scene.My sole problem with the film is that it feels a bit unfocused – it's more of a portrait than a story and doesn't really progress anywhere. Characterisation is also limited, and it's mainly Bana's winning performance that livens things up. Saying this, the humour comes thick and fast, there are some great one-liners, and realism is top-notch. It's just a pretty difficult film to like or classify.

George Roots (GeorgeRoots) If there's really anything to take away from the movie "Chopper", it's Eric Bana's extraordinarily gripping performance.Based on the late Australian prisoner Mark "Chopper" Reed, he had became a very prolific author through autobiographies and fictional crime novels throughout his lengthy sentence. But saying that, well that's just it. The movie simply follows Reed's inevitable descent back into the shady underworld, and his obviously well known prison sentence. The supporting cast do a terrific job, and the very dim lit area's help bleed atmosphere into the lens.Final Verdict: It's a hard sell, one which will ultimately grip you thanks to Mr. Bana's hard man mannerisms and sinful likability. But as far as movies based on prison life and criminals go, this is one you'll wont come back from entirely smarter or all too satisfied. 6/10.

Steven Moody Eric Bana (The Hulk, Blackhawk Down, Troy) began his career in Australia on a sketch TV Show called Full Frontal. Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read was an Australian criminal who extorted money from other criminals, basically by being more dangerous and psychopathic than anyone else. He wrote a book detailing his life in the Melbourne criminal underground during one of his prison terms which became a massive bestseller in Australia. In fact, Read became the bestselling Australian author with his series of violent yet comedic books and when a film was to be made of his life, he recommended Bana play him, based on a recurring character Bana had been doing on his sketch show, an obnoxious macho ignoramus called "Poita" – "yabbo"-speak for Peter.The choice was inspired. Bana is magnetic playing the complex Read, witty yet terrifying, intelligent and sadistic. His behavior is so extreme and button-pushing, it really forces you to examine Western ideals of masculinity. Is Chopper admirable or horrifying? He is fearless and seemingly impervious to pain. At one point, he has another inmate cut his ears off in order to be transferred to another wing of the prison. He is a really funny and likable guy in a brash in your face sort of way. Yet he is a cold blooded killer who makes his living terrorizing other people, who just happen to be criminals, specializing in cutting their toes off to compel them to pay his extortion, or killing them outright. He justifies his behavior through his code – he claims he does not hurt "civilians" – only other crooks.Not for those with a weak stomach.