You Move You Die

Alas, Francis Ford Coppola was wrong. The digital camera revolution has not resulted in an explosion of talent gracing our screens. All it has delivered is the never ending glut of amateur material, posturing as cinema, that clog the shelves of video stores worldwide. YOU MOVE YOU DIE is a continuation of this never ending cycle of sub-mediocre, ego- driven and wholly wretched home-movies.

Suffering through YOU MOVE YOU DIE is like watching a gang of young schoolboys, inspired by a movie they just saw, playing Goodies and Baddies as they chase each other around the drab back streets of their boring small town. They play-fight and play-act, and do all things their parents would frown upon (like swearing and smoking). The jolly romp is all made up on the spur of the moment and after an hour or so, they're so darn tuckered out from all the tussling and screaming and pointlessness of it all, so they simply...stop.

Now imagine a group of age-retarded adult men in their thirties, doing the above. Yet sadder still, is their friend with a video-camera who's followed them around as they playact like little kids- bored during the summer holidays. Then afterwards, they all wearily (but satisfied and with much backslapping) go back home to endlessly watch themselves replayed on telly, over fizzy drinks and chips as they collectively fantasize about hanging out with Tarantino.

That pretty much sums up wrist-slitting banality that is YOU MOVE YOU DIE.

This is an obviously inspired film that isn't the usual predictable drivel that I see in so many films of this genre. It has a Taratinoesque quality to it but isn't quite so scattered brained as most of his movies are. The characters are interesting and personable and not over the top, and there are some genuinely funny moments. There is a little bit of bad acting but not from the main actors at all, just in some of the bit parts. The story line is very good and although there are some violent moments in the movie it wasn't at all gory or messy. Also, the camera work is really quite unique and there is a flow to it that almost makes you feel like you are part of the movie. I would think that a lot of other filmmakers will be trying to use this type of effect in upcoming movies. Overall I would give this move at least an 8 out of 10.

Pretty good movie overall in the sense that the story keeps moving and there's no soppy love scenes to slow things down. Acting was alright too and most of the actors / actresses were convincing. Ketzal's outbursts and coined phrases added that little bit of humour and if you just watched it at face value, you'd never have guessed the ending. Looks like this is a Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie in the making. Just too bad he didn't come up with anything like this after. I've watched it a few times and will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a 'light' movie or simply to find out what a knob jockey is.

It's not a bad job. The characters are convincing, even if some of the action isn't. If you can accept stylized, unconvincing violence (no blood anywhere), which I don't mind, the story has some new twists. The first two thirds seem a bit aimless, like Mean Streets down under, just a tale of four thugs who seem to have an appointment to keep in the afternoon, and manage to keep it, in spite of the befuddled police they have to deal with in New Zealand. It's funny; it could have been funnier, but for something I never heard of before a street vendor offered it to me, it ain't bad. The acting is generally acceptable; the camera-work is utilitarian. Technically, it succeeds in some ways, e.g., the steadicam work, but fails in others, e.g., under- and over-exposure, or their digital equivalents. The dialogue is in Kiwi, i.e., "english", but it would benefit from subtitles, also in English, as in The Harder They Come. It's worth noting that the vaunted technical achievement (long, uncut shots) was barely noticeable-which means that it did what it was supposed to do without drawing attention to itself.

As always it is the complainers that are the first to comment. I personally thoroughly enjoyed the film. Surely a films aim is to entertain? Well this one did the job as far as I am concerned.

Has something similar been done before? probably but who cares, and without knowing how it was shot you (or at least I) couldn't even attempt to judge how innovative it is. All I know is that it felt very different to watch than most movies you will see. As for the comment that this genre is dead... what a load of tripe, this is not some Quentin T rip. It stands alone as an interesting story with some good twists and plenty of humour (assuming you like your humour fairly dry) Was it a low budget flick? almost definitely, does it look "cheap"? not at all. I think this is a breath of fresh air for the industry within NZ. And I firmly believe it is a good quality, entertaining flick.

Is it the best movie in the world? of course not... still I liked it better than at least one huge blockbuster I saw recently. Mind you some people apparently can't live without huge explosions and/or a festival of CGI! If you enjoy the flavour of the "british gangster" type flick, and like your humour dark and dry you will probably enjoy this film.

So go check it out you will probably enjoy it. Plus you are supporting genuine NZ film.. i.e. not financed from half a world away with the money and talent disappearing offshore the day it wraps. Oh and it might pay to watch to the end...

PS I can't wait to see what these guys can do with the next film and some cash support behind them!