nammage
First 15 minutes I knew what this movie was going to turn into. As a film lover, I have seen quite a bit of films (19,000+ ratings here over 11,000 on films alone) and this (despite some other reviewers statements) is actually well produced; acting's good, scripted alright (in concern to writing ability), composition not bad but it does have that annoying narration that comes when you never want it. This is basically Fight Club (except people die in this on purpose) without the philosophical undertones. It's not even very good at even that. I mean, while most those fighting are out of shape, don't really know how to fight they still bet a lot of money on the fact their going to live. That seemed wholly unrealistic to me. Only one who is absolutely desperate could I believe would do such a thing, and no character in this film seemed so desperate as that.If there's a moral to walk away from this movie it must be, "When needing some money, take all the money you have and hope you don't die in some fight with some other idiot just like you.". Otherwise...what's this film about? What was the plot? The point? I don't get it and was I supposed to? Now, do not think I am naïve. I have read in the newspaper, seen or have been referenced to YouTube videos, even seen on national and local news on people who come off as idiotic-minded people doing some idiotic-minded things. Like the girl from California driving with her 14 year old sister and friend in the back while live streaming the stupidity of being drunk behind the wheel and the consequences of a dead sister afterward. I know they exist. Movies like this with no sense of philosophical endeavor, underlining message, or even a strand of morality or ethical viewpoint are the entertaining companions of those types of people. And while I also recognize that movies like Fight Club may spark ideas in these types of people to do things where they have no understanding of the consequence or actions that tends not to be the film's fault, in such guise. Because like books and music etc., there's supposed to be an underlining message, right? As each year passes it seems it's either just remakes, sequels, or just movies to make a buck off of. I know (figuratively) everything's been done before but one should try to strive to build on what's been done before rather than just dragging it through the mud and calling it 'art'. Seems also these days, or it's always been (most likely) that even a realistic nature of things needs to be turned into a fiction. I reference 'Joy (2015)' and 'Hacksaw Ridge (2016)' as good examples of that. Take the latter: the real-life father was turned into a mean drunk, in real-life he was nothing like that. Why the fiction? They did the same in 'October Sky (1999)' -- turning the real-life father into a mean awful person who comes to his senses at the end. Not true about the actual man. It's bad enough fictional films take other fictional films and make them even more unbelievable but why do it for real life? The man who's the subject of 'Hacksaw Ridge', while he was alive, never wanted a film about him because they knew they would fictionalize his life and sensationalize it. After he died, what did Mel Gibson do: exactly that. My point is, when are we going to get back (if we were ever there) to what films are supposed to be? To me they were the imagination created by our minds; and when writing about actuality, having an understanding of what that actuality is rather than what we imagine it to be. This film: not that there's much of anything in this film, mind you. While there are small scenes of violence throughout, most of the 'brutal' violence doesn't really start happening until 42-45 minutes in. The way these people just kill others, even for money, as if it's no big deal, as if they've been doing it all their lives and it's just another day at work, is also wholly unrealistic. The police in Ireland must be some of the most incompetent people on the planet, at least in this film. Never remember ever seeing a police officer once in this film. Maybe I missed them. Plus, they dispose of the bodies like amateurs (which they are), and the main character buries all his kills in 2-3 ft deep holes. There's a reason why 6 ft is the normal amount for burials; so animals can't get to them or weather etc., I mean, animals in this film must be incompetent, too, let alone the police. Maybe it's like all those horror films where after all the fighting is done then that's when the police and animals show up, or something. This not an Action film. Not a Thriller or a Horror film or a Drama. It's nothing. Genreless. They do attempt to add a story but it's without a plot or pointless so it doesn't really mean anything, in the end. Sometimes even a bad movie is worth watching; this was barely worth this 'review'. I'm getting so tired of watching these types of films. Most likely watch another in the future but each one kills my love of films as time moves on.
TreeOfWolf
When I saw screen captures, I dreaded to spend 2h bored watching a dumb looking fat guy... but I'm glad that I overcame my prejudices because he's actually the most interesting person in the movie! His cleverness made it all possible. A lot of people get fired and commit suicide because of financial ruin, so he gets the idea to fight to the death to win the other person's money... A lesser of two evils.Oh~ How I loved to hate him and his plots, the bastard.The main fighter is a more likable person in spite of being a bit dull. But it's fun to watch him kill.It's an original way to calm people's frustrations by showing them a bunch of people dying, it's a nice change from slasher movies with a crazy maniac as killer. That stereotype is wrong, it caused stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness, most of them are that way because they suffered more than they could bear, but they wouldn't hurt others. I like how the movie shows that you don't need to be insane to kill, all it takes is a rational motivation... and even the "best" people can do the worst if they see it as their best option.It was nice to see ordinary "good and proper" people pushed into desperation enough to try to murder... Showing that anyone could do it when pushed hard enough. It's easy to be a good person when everyone is good to you and give you good opportunities... And people pride themselves with mere luck... But if that help is taken away and you fear to lose everything good, you might turn out more evil than you thought anyone could ever be. One of the fighters seemed old and I thought that he had no chance, but the way he fought really surprised me.Thank you for this movie. It made me laugh~ Thankfully I'm not that desperate yet. I appreciated this movie, and I appreciate my life a little better.
mik s
from the technical or artistic angle by no mean it is amazing. there's nothing remarkable, no treat for the senses.however the subject is disturbing making the film interesting enough & leaving an impression on the mind (mine at least).it's a dive in the world of losers with no hero in it but a wide bunch of losers accepting their condition & running to their death (one way or another).what is missing beside that psycho-sociological study (through the Vernon character mainly but not only) is a spiritual/philosophical angle to make it truly deep & multi-layered with more subtle character development, better narration & dialogues (i would have liked to see/hear poetry or sarcasm or irony or real funny quotes -they tried but they fail IMO like at the co-worker funeral... something more).in other words, what is missing is a Stanley Kubrick or a Shane Carruth (re-)writing it & directing it.conclusion : worth watching but shame it's not the masterpiece it could well have been with more work & perfectionism in the writing & directing.the generous 7 is because it does leave this lasting impression (unlike 99% of Hollywood productions forgotten 10 minutes after it's over)
Niaz Islam Arif
Although the movie genre defined it as a thriller movie it failed to hold the thrill throughout the film.John Bradley performed very neatly though Killian Scott's acting was offbeat. he was one of the major character in the movie so when his expressions and dialogue delivery was sloppy it took away the gravity of that particular scene.About the script, it was well written with a new concept of trading. But in the climax scene was not well thought because that scene lacks logic and does not coincide with the previous scenes which were shown and the conversations took place on that time. So the climax scene is a major letdown. Another thing about the script is there was no twist or turns, entire movie was like a straight arrow; it was quite predictable. There was no thrill of what might happen next so I could not enjoy the movie that much.The movie had great potential but all in all not worth your time. Not recommended.
