This is a very violent film. The opening credits make it extremely clear, what with various shots of gory violence in slow motion close up, and it very rarely lets up from there in any way, assuming the title of the film didn't tip you off of course.
The plot (such as it is) is incredibly clichéd. It's basically a 90 minute revenge rampage. In a similar fashion to Shoot Em Up any non-action scenes are solely in the film to explain how our protagonist segues from one massive shoot out to the next... and that's about it. Save one exposition bomb courtesy of (one of) Sharlto Copley's characters it's pretty much entirely fight scene after fight scene. Of course, the USP is that these are all done ENTIRELY in first person perspective...
... And for the most part, it works. Yeah, there are times when this makes it confusing as to what exactly is going on but when it works (which is most of the time), it really works well. There's a frantic pace to everything and a soundtrack that basically drives the whole thing along. While none of the settings or scenes are anything at all new or revolutionary, seeing them from a new perspective does make them SEEM pretty new and interesting.
As to performances, well again these tend to suffer from the nature of the film. Our main character doesn't say a word throughout. The main villain is basically an 80s card-carrying ham (with mind powers, that are never explained or justified at all.) Sharlto Copley appears in multiple roles and mostly appears to be engaging in a scenery chewing contest WITH HIMSELF. (He wins.) But these are embraced by the film and again remind me of the inspiration - the old school, characterisation-light FPS game of the 80s and 90s that were literally excuses to run around shooting things. (I am aware there were/are exceptions but those exceptions don't appear to have been in the film's creators' minds.)
On the down side... there has been talk of a sexist attitude to the film and honestly? I can't really argue the point. Pretty much all the female characters are sex workers who then get killed, save the main villain's wife who is as evil as he is with as little explanation. It's hardly admirable but the film isn't really a gender politics piece - it's a giant action sequence and that's about it.
This is a film where the premise alone probably makes you think hell yes or no way. Go with your gut as it won't change any minds, but if you do want to see it, see it on the big screen.
The pinnacle of style over substance
This is a very violent film. The opening credits make it extremely clear, what with various shots of gory violence in slow motion close up, and it very rarely lets up from there in any way, assuming the title of the film didn't tip you off of course.
The plot (such as it is) is incredibly clichéd. It's basically a 90 minute revenge rampage. In a similar fashion to Shoot Em Up any non-action scenes are solely in the film to explain how our protagonist segues from one massive shoot out to the next... and that's about it. Save one exposition bomb courtesy of (one of) Sharlto Copley's characters it's pretty much entirely fight scene after fight scene. Of course, the USP is that these are all done ENTIRELY in first person perspective...
... And for the most part, it works. Yeah, there are times when this makes it confusing as to what exactly is going on but when it works (which is most of the time), it really works well. There's a frantic pace to everything and a soundtrack that basically drives the whole thing along. While none of the settings or scenes are anything at all new or revolutionary, seeing them from a new perspective does make them SEEM pretty new and interesting.
As to performances, well again these tend to suffer from the nature of the film. Our main character doesn't say a word throughout. The main villain is basically an 80s card-carrying ham (with mind powers, that are never explained or justified at all.) Sharlto Copley appears in multiple roles and mostly appears to be engaging in a scenery chewing contest WITH HIMSELF. (He wins.) But these are embraced by the film and again remind me of the inspiration - the old school, characterisation-light FPS game of the 80s and 90s that were literally excuses to run around shooting things. (I am aware there were/are exceptions but those exceptions don't appear to have been in the film's creators' minds.)
On the down side... there has been talk of a sexist attitude to the film and honestly? I can't really argue the point. Pretty much all the female characters are sex workers who then get killed, save the main villain's wife who is as evil as he is with as little explanation. It's hardly admirable but the film isn't really a gender politics piece - it's a giant action sequence and that's about it.
This is a film where the premise alone probably makes you think hell yes or no way. Go with your gut as it won't change any minds, but if you do want to see it, see it on the big screen.