MJ5K's Review

Summary - Barely OK 2.0

OUCH!! I had high expectations on this one, and it let me down in the end. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale are two of my favorite actors of all time. I was expecting a gangster epic like LA Confidential. But, I didn’t find what I was looking for. Oh well, then.

The film depicts the world of infamous gangster John Dillinger through the eye of director Michael Mann. How does he tell it? Through shaky/HD cam and scenes that drag out. Keep in mind, I don’t mean to bash this film. I guess Mann was trying to depict Dillenger for this generation. The movie’s not bad, it’s just not very engaging.

Acting - Good 3.0

The acting is solid. Depp does what he does as does Christian Bale.

Film - OK 2.5

Again, too much shaky cam. Also, I wish Mann hadn’t chosen to shoot this through that stupid HD cam thing he always does.

Edge - Sordid 2.6

Reality - Natural 1.0

5 Comments

• Wick Nov 7, 2009 8:41AM

  Regarding MetalJunky5000’s Review
  Haven’t seen the trailer for “Inception”. I’ll keep an eye out.

• MJ5K Nov 6, 2009 7:18PM

  Thnx, wick. I think my expectations for this one were just way too high. Johnny Depp’s a great actor, and so is Christian Bale and Marion Cottilard. If I hosted “At the Movies”, I’d say “rent it”. BTW Have you seen the trailer for Chris Nolan’s “Inception”? I think it looks awesome!

• Wick Oct 30, 2009 9:28PM

  Regarding MetalJunky5000’s Review
  Great lead to your review Junky. Really caught my attention.

• Wick Jul 9, 2009 5:49PM

  Regarding Johnny Pace’s Review
  Yeah, I actually saw it a second time and was able to follow it much easier knowing who was who.

• Wick Jul 7, 2009 10:11PM

  Regarding Johnny Pace’s Review
  Wow! Really great review Johnny P. Entertaining and spot on, as usual.

  Your 2nd paragraph nails a key weakness of the movie. “I want names!” Indeed.

  I think you also appropriately place Public Enemies as being in the same orbit as Bugsy and The Untouchables, which as you point out isn’t necessarily bad, just not perfect.

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