Some of the IMDb commenters are a bit tough on this film for having some characters that verged on caricature. I see their point, but I think it is a bit unfair here. Given that this was an homage to the original (on its 50th anniversary), Mikhalkov had to take its basic plot as his foundation. That necessarily drained much of the drama from the story-we know which way the countdown is going to proceed. It also forced him to deal with all 12 men.
Thus, what can he do to keep it interesting? He (1) features the ensemble acting-terrific even to me as a non-Russian speaker, (2) highlighted the characters' weaknesses, including some human and Russian traits that have to be a bit outsized, (3) added a detached but affecting commentary on brutality of the Chechnya war and the tendency for Muscovites to see Chechens as monolithic, and (4) threw in a few plot wrinkles at the end. Given the constraints he faced, I thought it was a fine adaptationand was thoroughly engrossing. Mikhalkov himself, as the jury foreman, is a commanding screen presence as well.
Thus, what can he do to keep it interesting? He (1) features the ensemble acting-terrific even to me as a non-Russian speaker, (2) highlighted the characters' weaknesses, including some human and Russian traits that have to be a bit outsized, (3) added a detached but affecting commentary on brutality of the Chechnya war and the tendency for Muscovites to see Chechens as monolithic, and (4) threw in a few plot wrinkles at the end. Given the constraints he faced, I thought it was a fine adaptationand was thoroughly engrossing. Mikhalkov himself, as the jury foreman, is a commanding screen presence as well.