11 Blocks (2015) User Reviews

Just One Long Fight Scene

[nammage · 3/10 · 5 November 2015]

In the very beginning it seemed a bit trippy, art housesque, even. Then you're at a narration, and kempt homeless people; at least they seemed that way, and then the opening credits of some half naked muscle man. Seemed somewhat promising if going by the weird factor. The acting seemed quiet and stale. Not bad, per sé, but not really engaging.

There's too much description, at times: visually and orally spoken; throw in some unnecessary violence for whatever reason (like the repetition of asking someone's name and not getting an answer) -- just mindboggling pathetic.

Flashbacks of a guy hitting concrete slabs attached to his feet in black and white. Visually it wasn't bad, yet, couldn't figure out the reason for it. I mean, he's a tough guy. Okay. What else? That's what this movie felt like: explanation in past tense. It does it constantly throughout the film. I think it's attempting to explain the story in this way and that's fine but it has to keep the attention of the viewer, and for this viewer: it lacked in that guise.

There is also unnecessary antics displayed on a technical basis, such as: slow motion. I dislike the use of slow motion mainly because it is rarely used appropriately and here, in this film, it isn't. The composition (music) isn't that bad, some of it is really good.

In the end, who cares what the story is or was because this was just one long story of constant profanity, and fighting; and while both things could be used effectively in a film the two do not make a film.

Overall: it was boring. I didn't care what was happening, or why. Reminded me of "Run Lola Run" but not nearly as good.

3/10.

A needlessly overcomplicated narrative distracts from good choreography

[daniel-mannouch · 4/10 · 3 July 2019]

11 Blocks is a non-linear Canadian urban thriller that is at times too quirky for it's own good. Whilst the narrative is never confusing, it's too disjointed to achieve any real momentum. The idea of a recession-era Warriors sounded real intriguing, but whether through budget limitations or good old fashioned egomania, the film is bogged down by self-indulgent training montages and a droning narration.

I can appreciate an action film being ambitious, but i can't overlook padding when a perfectly serviceable plot has been set in place. This could have been sorted out in the scripting process. I don't usually like to tell filmmakers how to do their jobs, but sticking to being a Warriors rip off was probably this film's best chance at success.

Instead, 11 Blocks is a monotonous, plodding collection of impressive fight scenes stapled together with boring backstory and decent cinematography. What can i say? It's just your average low-fi indie action film.

I don't multi-task

[nogodnomasters · 1/10 · 19 July 2020]

After an economic collapse, the city is controlled by gangs. John Hong (Craig Henry ) must cross 11 blocks controlled by gangs to rescue his bug-eyed sister (Bo Martynowska ).

It reminded me of the 1970's kung-fu moves. Craig Henty does some horrible narration. They ended up repeating many of the early scenes so the can get the proper length for a film. Poorly acted, written, and directed.

Guide: F-word. No nudity

The Warriors as a one man army

[krachtm · 6/10 · 18 November 2015]

The plot: To rescue his sister, a tough guy has to fight his way through 11 blocks of a gang-controlled, dystopian city.

In a film like this, I have two major concerns: fight choreography and stunts. Sure, if the direction or acting is crap, it can be distracting, but for a no-budget action film, my standards are pretty low. This film has some pretty good action scenes. The biggest problem that the choreographers never really solved the problem of how to show one man fight against an entire gang. In most of the scenes, he fights them one-by-one, and the other people pretty much just stand around and wait for their turn to get their asses kicked. I generally prefer when the hero uses an ingenious strategy to even the odds, but this is more like side-scrolling arcade game. It's a failed opportunity to show us action fans something we haven't seen before.

The editing is probably going to bother many people. This isn't the kind of film where you really have much of a plot, so when you need to pad the runtime, it's either flashbacks or extended sex scenes. There's one scene at a strip club, but this film generally goes with flashbacks. Lots of flashbacks. In fact, several of them are repeated two or three times. However, after you get past the first 20 or 30 minutes, they become less common. Many of the flashbacks are from our protagonist's earlier life, when he was trained by his brutal father. Whenever he failed to perfectly execute a move, his father would beat him. While these scenes can be fun to watch for those who enjoy martial arts demonstrations, others will probably tire of them quickly.

If you're forgiving of low budget action films, then it can't hurt to give it a try. Maybe it's sign of how many bad action films I've seen over the years, but I've seen much worse.

Interesting and intriguing

[resqazalea · 7/10 · 2 October 2016]

This film though low to no budget is interesting to watch and a bit realistic. It involves martial arts trained man battling several gangs as he travels many city blocks to save his sister from a hired assassin.Does he succeed? Watch and see. The ending may surprise you as will the over all plot. Though low budget the fact that a lot of the things in this movie goes along with today's world is no coincidence i do believe. Many of the things portrayed in this film show how some of our people and children are living or having to live and it is a shame that in a country as great as ours these things exist. Maybe we need to view this film as a wake up warning and correct some of our societies problems. Watch. Enjoy. Learn.