Chopper
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Movie Reviews of Chopper
Movie Review: A short sharp film
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a well-made biopic of Mark 'Chopper' Read, an extremely violent Australian criminal who has gone on to become a successful writer. The story, although based on 'Choppers' own books has been spiced up for the film, so some of the events depicted may never have happened. That said its an adrenalin filled film which never lets up in its intensity, which is mostly down to a superb performance by Eric Bana. His portrayal captures the schzoid nature of 'Chopper' who after shooting you, was just as likely to take you to a hospital.
With its relentless nature and short running time of only 90 minutes you'll find that the film is over very quickly. I felt the film could have continued a little longer (very unusual for me) so for me the ending was a bit of dissappointment. However I have few other criticisms and so long as you don't mind violence and drug use portrayed realistically in films you'll enjoy this. Its no masterpiece, but its as good, and in many cases better, than a lot of equivalent Hollywood films.
Movie Review: WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT
Summary: 2 Stars
I love films coming out of Australia in recent years. "Lantana" was a magnificent foray into human relationships, "Muriel's Wedding" was a hilarious romp through marital ones, and "The Castle" was a hilarious predicament of a by-the-airport family. Chopper on the other hand starts out without much point, and has most of it left until the end. There's little really to say about a movie where you find your attention held more by the "Uncle chop-chop" commentary included on the DVD than the movie itself.
The script is very, very flat in its perspective, giving you only a small glimpse of Chopper's life, trying to potray him as a knuckleheaded tough guy.
The director's stylistic tricks, like the painfully blue jail in the beginning or the dim-lit red or green effect for pretty much most of the rest of the movie, reek of B-Class cinematography usually seen in Jon Clod Van Dumb movies than the oh-so-cool look that the directors here were obviously going for.
Not to mention that this offers next to no insight into the character of Chopper. He comes across as a press-hungry guy out to make a name for himself, who bumbles along avenging himself for his days in the prison. That's basically 2 guys, and that's it, that's the plot.
As if that were not enough, a bit of pizzazz are attempted when this hick dangles his uncle pork chop in a bar sequence. A pretty good motif for the classiness of the movie overall.
I guess the only claim to fame that this film could have gone after would be its gory simplicity -- the kind of Terentino-esque raw that made Reservoir Dogs the cult it is. Yet, frankly, Uncle Chop to me comes across as just another idiot who committed crimes that any other petty criminal commits (except for cutting off his own ears, a sign of idiocy to begin with), got caught, wrote a book about it, and lived behind bars anyway.
I regreted the 1.5 hours of my life I squandered on this gibberish.
Movie Review: Too small a movie for such a big life.
Summary: 2 Stars
Eric Bana is very good in this average movie. Chopper's life needed a more personal treatment. Why? is a question I asked far too many times watching this movie. The story bobs in an ocean of blood with no life preservers or land fall in sight.In terms of violence the director was quite inventive. The screen play needed to tell us a much bigger story. The director was up to it the budget and writer were not.
Movie Review: Laughable amatuerish dreck
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie has been compared to masterpieces such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoire Dogs. The question is why? Chopper does contain explicit gore scens such as ear mutilations and shootings. Apart from the violence, Chopper lacks the humor and masterful direction from Tarantino's classic works. In addition, the acting is substandard and the plot quite simple and boring.This movie has been hyped up to be the biggest thing out of Australia for years but Chopper disappoints on all levels except the DVD transfer which is tolerable.
If you want to see an Australian classic, watch Roadwarrior; Mad Max 2 and stay away from Chopper, which is one stinking DVD, which reeks of cheap production and lame acting.
Movie Review: Chops of Rubbish!
Summary: 1 Stars
This film was baaad! i think the storyline was weak and boring, well i fell asleep half way through so i may have missed some good parts...doubt it!anyway, i think wats his face Bana man was good in it but..hello!violent film? err, yeah just as about violent as bloody men in black! This film was not VIOLENT. It was WEAK and needed a kick up the bum bum!nothing special at all...stick to American prison films, they're much grimier n have better storylines.