I went into this movie expecting a typical Hollywood-style action romp - over-the-top action scenes, cliché characters making witty banter, unrealistic twists and turns, you know the drill - great production quality and very entertaining, but just that, lighthearted, ridiculous entertainment. And while it WAS very entertaining, I was pleasantly surprised at the gritty realism of it. By this I don't only mean the gory violence (it is pretty violent), but also the genuine portrayal of socio-political issues and personal stories. The main characters all feel very real, which is partly due to the great script and partly due to the superb performances by the actors. I'm not going to say more, but these touches of reality gave weight and a tragic tone to the film. These are never in the forefront, and the director thankfully never tries to push any message into our face.
Altogether, I recommend this movie wholeheartedly to anyone who doesn't mind gory scenes. It's very well-made, hilarious, exciting, thoughtful and a bit sad.
Altogether, I recommend this movie wholeheartedly to anyone who doesn't mind gory scenes. It's very well-made, hilarious, exciting, thoughtful and a bit sad.