Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. That is all.
Okay maybe not just the two of them but it certainly highlights that Ryan Reynolds can play more serious roles than the boyfriend in some chick flick or comedy and continues to show that Denzel Washington still has the ability to make great movies even at his age – who knew a hair cut half way through the movie can make him look so much younger!
Without going into to much detail about specific scenes throughout the film I can easily say anyone going to watch to see camera movements and actually study the film – for a piece of coursework? – will notice that during fight scenes the use of slight slow motion during some parts not only extend the scene make the fights seem believable, this and the use of the audio throughout too. With both of these and then a fair bit of attention to the camera angles during the scenes really create the real feel and keeps you gripped.
Another point that made the film good was that during several of the scenes when Frost (D.Washington) would be talking to his associates he would ask them to do several things and at the time of him saying what he wants done it will change to the associate actually doing it putting the voices over the scenes. This means you have seen every little detail and not missed anything.
One part of the film which I picked up on but didn’t think much of till the end was in fact – SPOILER – that Frost (D.Washington) had been given wine from all the people he trusted at the beginning of each of their meetings and during his last scene his last words are the name of the wine and the taste when speaking to Matt Weston (R. Reynolds). A gesture of friendship and courtesy is to offer a drink – simple but meaningful. Clearly drinking wine is better than being shot at by people.
One part of the film which I picked up on but didn’t think much of till the end was in fact – SPOILER – that Frost (D.Washington) had been given wine from all the people he trusted at the beginning of each of their meetings and during his last scene his last words are the name of the wine and the taste when speaking to Matt Weston (R. Reynolds). A gesture of friendship and courtesy is to offer a drink – simple but meaningful. Clearly drinking wine is better than being shot at by people.
The tension built through the film with the slow conversation and the amount of time between each scene allowed you to feel on edge as you’re not sure what is going to happen next. Throughout a few scenes giving deaths that come out of nowhere makes you rethink what’s happening and who is to be trusted unlike some films that are too predictable to watch.
With this said the film was long and for those who get lost easily will find themselves going round in circles with what is happening therefore may feel it’s a long film with a lot of gun fire.
With this said the film was long and for those who get lost easily will find themselves going round in circles with what is happening therefore may feel it’s a long film with a lot of gun fire.
One of the last scenes was, what I thought supported the caption for the film, – “Nobody is Safe” – a screen of white with blurred people walking around hiding the identity of the people suggesting that anyone can be reached no matter what position in life.
Director Daniel Espinosa seems to have studied a few police films and put the best parts together to create a film with a great cast – for some this might not be their choice of a good film due to the fact they have seen too many similar films ie. Fight scenes, tension, fight scene, romance, twist, fight scene. End. It’s all there but I will have to say I enjoyed the film with a good cast, good camera work and few detailed parts not many people will pick up on. Overall I rate 4 Stars.
