rspdiver This cop makes Dirty Harry look like a tree-hugging pacifist. Dark and brooding, with lots of Oedipiean undertones, it's an interesting foreign study on criminal family vs. bad cop/worse cop...in the name of justice. Like Longmire...inThailand...and this Walt has no Fs to give.

crom-dubh I wouldn't consider this a masterpiece, but I do think that it manages to be an interesting film that seems to be hated by a lot of people. Looking at the ratings for this vs. The Neon Demon, I'm honestly surprised to see this one rated lower, as I consider it the more obviously superior. I think one reason for this is that this film followed "Drive" which (especially since both star Gosling) set the expectation that this would be more like that, whereas The Neon Demon follows this movie, which set the expectation that his films would be batsh** crazy artsy affairs, which both definitely are. The film has a very nice look, seemingly inspired by the look (or perhaps idea) of Thailand, and probably owing a bit of debt to Suspiria with its rich neon colors (especially red). The cinematography is excellent, and everything seems to be meticulously planned. I think the acting and story will be where this film either provokes love or hate in different viewers. Fans of David Lynch will probably be largely sympathetic to the style here: it has a lot of bizarre and unrealistic dialog that seems designed to instill an unsettling mood, and it mostly works. There are some cringe-inducing moments but overall I felt like it fits with the film. The story is mostly easy to follow but requires that the viewer do a bit of work to decipher the motivations of the characters, but this is really where the film gets interesting, so I think it makes sense that this requires more active participation from the viewer. Thematically, I find this film ten times more interesting than The Neon Demon and Drive. Why our protagonist is doing the things he is doing and why he ultimately ends up where he does are as important if not more so than the visual merits of the film. I have to wonder whether people criticizing it and saying it's all "style over substance" really understood some of the most basic aspects of the story. This is not a perfect film, and will be hard to watch for some, as it contains some fairly brutal violence. The strange combination of elements will leave some perplexed, but I think it's this rather inspired mix that sets it apart and warrants subsequent viewings. Of Refn's more heavily stylized films (of which I'd include this, The Neon Demon, and Valhalla Rising), this one is arguably his best, in my book.

mooprint If I could give this film a 0 then I would. I have never felt the need to walk out of a cinema before but this was the closest I have come.Minimal script, strangely long scenes of a man singling badly and what I would class as no plot.Do not waste your time. Even Ryan doesn't make it worth it.

tfminfl So it's 2001 meets Kickboxer... Yea that's about right. Ryan Gosling plays Julian, a drug smuggler living in Bangkok, along with his bro, Billy. And well, Billy is a major douche bag and is caught red handed killing a 16 year old prostitute, and the cops arrive, but apparently they do things differently over there, or the cop in charge, Chang, is a psycho... He brings the murder victims father to the scene, and introduces him to the murderer, Billy, then the father introduces a baseball bat to Billy's skull, sweet revenge right? Well Chang doesn't quite see it that way, in his eyes, the victims father played a large role in her murder, he allowed his own daughter to prostitute herself to help him pay the bills, don't worry, he doesn't kill the poor guy, just takes an arm...the killing part, thats left up to Julian, when mommy comes to town. Kristin Scott Thomas plays wicked mean mom Crystal, who may or may not have had Julian kill his own father. However Julian shows some heart and understands the murder victims father point of view, show some mercy and lets him live. Mommy Dearest is pissed!! She puts a hit out on Chang and quickly realizes he is merciless, and one hell of a Karaoke singer!! The movie is a bit slow going, but its just so darn pretty to look at!! Cool flick tho, worth a watch!!