A_Different_Drummer

A very unusual movie and tricky to review. The script reads like it should fit in the "torture porn" genre -- a strangely popular film theme in 2024 -- but no, it doesn't. On diggimg deeper, we realize that is because the script was written by one of the three female leads. Which is also unusual. It is clearly a low-budget indie, yet it runs for almost two hours, a length usually reserved for Hollywood blockbusters. Unusual. For most of its run-length, it can't seem to decide if it wants to be a police procedural, or a character study of women in jeopardy. Because of this indecision, it ultimately fails at both. Yet the production values are excellent and it does hold the attention. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Don't know about you, but this reviewer had to keep reminding himself that this was not a comedy. Such is the genius of Shawn Ryan that Vic playing a "corrupt cop" had a number of punch lines which had me rolling on the floor. You can literally teach this stuff in film class, but writers who master such a level of craft will always be few and far between. This show punches far above its weight. Just gets better. Wow. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Sometimes I think expectations run too high for these films. To be clear, Besson is not just any creator, he has directed and written some of the top international hits of the last 4 decades. He is an industry legend. He is also 65 years old, and will not be doing this forever. So enjoy his work while you can. For this film, the premise may seem flimsy, almost comedic, but the cinematography is perfect and the action scenes are top rank. Are you not entertained? ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))