Rating: Summary: "Saints'" Only Blessing: When It's Over Review: Don't be fooled by the heavily stylized violence and fun-to-watch action sequences. "Boondock Saints" may, at times, be entertaining, but it is a phenomenally miserable movie. It seems director Troy Duffy can't decide what he wants his film to be. After gleefully glorifying the violent vigiliantism of two Boston Irishmen wreaking havoc on the Russian mob, Duffy takes a turn about 3/4 of the way through and decides to let the audience know that perhaps the best answer to criminals isn't for civilians to throw toilets on their bald, evil heads (I'm not making this up). While I'm sure Duffy thought he was breaking stereotypes and being progressive by making William DeFoe both a tough cop and (gasp!) gay, Duffy fails miserably on this count. DeFoe's cop is abrasive, his lover (who thankfully makes only a brief appearence) is pathetically stereotypical, and of course, in the end, DeFoe just HAS to go undercover as a woman... Perhaps most annoying of all, the movie, when not silly and incoherent, is heavy-handed; Duffy too explicitly asks us to "think" about vigiliantism. Unfortunately, the bad guys are so cardboard and obnoxious, you want them dead from the start of the movie. There's no moral ambiguity whatsoever. On the upside, there are some entertaining action sequences, and Sean Patrick Flanery and most of the other actors give at least mildly believable performances. The real problem with "Boondock Saints" is the script, though it will no doubt provide inspiration to aspiring screenwriters who need to see something truly terrible to know that maybe they too can make it big.
Rating: Summary: Underrated Gem Review: What a sleeper. All the people who know and love films like "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", "Resevoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction", "Leon: The Professional" ect, mostly haven't heard of or have seen this film, and don't even know what they're missing! Personally, I'm glad it's finally out on DVD. This movie is very unique, with great characters, a totally original screenplay, incredible, unforgetable scenes and amazing performances by Billy Connolly and Willem DaFoe (in a dress, no less!) There are so many reasons to own this film.
Rating: Summary: Shame About The Censors Review: While this is one of the greatest (and widely unknown) vigilante films produced in recent years, those already indoctrinated into the mysteries of The Boondock Saints will be disappointed to find this edition is not the original edit, having been cut to satisfy the censors. However, finding an uncut DVD edition of this film is like a quest for the Holy Grail. If you have not already been exposed to the McMannus brothers and their mission you may be able to forgive the lack of squibs in some of the crucial scenes. Even in this cut version the concept comes through powerfully, and is punctuated with a black humour that never fails to appeal even after you have lost count of how many times you've seen this movie (and believe me you will).
Rating: Summary: An Amazing Movie! Review: I had never heard of this movie before I saw it. Someone I knew who had it let me borrow it and from the very beginning I was hooked. This movie is about morals and to me, the action is secondary to the characters. Connor and Murphy MacManus are very complex characters as is The Duke. The movie is acted wonderfully by everyone but especially the two brothers. I would reccomend this movie to anyone, and I already have told everyone I know to watch it and some have and have loved it too. Watch this movie and you will like it.
Rating: Summary: pretty damn good! Review: it was mostly a splendid movie. i loved it. it needed a bit more to the plot though.
Rating: Summary: A Quirky Masterpiece Review: The Boondock Saints is a rare movie find. The simple yet well written story will enthrall you in once scene, shock you in another, and make you fall on the floor laughing hysterically in the next. It's a thoroughly entertaining piece of work that fans of all genre's will like, but Pulp Fiction fans will adore. I rented Boondock Saints on a lark, never having heard of it. I was immediately engrossed in it's creativity, characters and story, and it quickly became one of my favorites, even holding up to repeat-business. It's message is clear, the characters are well conceived, and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat (or on the floor laughing). Simply put, this one is a keeper.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie Review: This is the best movie I've seen in years. This has everything I want in a movie. They really set the bar here. But if your lookin for a love story, this isn't the movie for you. In this movie wize guys get what's comin to them.
Rating: Summary: More style than substance Review: I expected more given all the reviews on amazon.com. However what I saw was a movie that was trying to be about something deep and spiritual but failing because the director was more obsessed with style (how) rather than the substance (what). The acting is quite good. But the scenarios are so implausible, and the director is trying oh so hard to make another Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels that it became very hard to watch this film.My recommendation: see a Guy Ritchie or Tarantino film (again). And if you must see this film, rent it. So that you can be rid of it in 5 days.
Rating: Summary: where's the full version? Review: I originally viewed this movie on a rental VHS (Australian), and was blown away, since then, I bought the orignal DVD (which I believe to be a Canadian release) from eBay, but was dissapointed when the big action scenes were cut, which were on the VHS. When this was rereleased, I bought this version, hoping it would not be cut, since it was a different release, but the version of the movie is exactly the same as the one on the original release. The extras on this DVD are great, the original did not have any, and one of the cut scenes is shown as a rough quality cut scene on this DVD, but it was fine on the video. I can't understand why the VHS version has more in it than this DVD. I'm not going to outline the plot, read one of the other reviews for that, I'll say it's a great movie, and I enjoy it, I just wish they would release a DVD version the same as the VHS. So, if you own the original release, it's not really worth buying this one, the extras are good, but don't warrant repurchasing the DVD.
Rating: Summary: More style than substance Review: I expected more... The acting is good. But the scenarios are so implausible, and the director is trying oh so hard to make another Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels that it was hard to watch this film. My recommendation: see a Guy Ritchie or Tarantino film (again). And if you must see this film, rent it. So that you can be rid of it in 5 days.
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