Rating: 
Summary: "The Best Place I've Ever Been"
Review: If you like intense performances, this is the movie for you. Jason Patric (Lost Boys, Rush) is an under-rated actor, and he proves once again that he's not in this business for the money, you can see he enjoys acting like an art-expression. Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), shows himself more mature giving a stunning performance. Their nominees (2003 Independent Spirit Award for best supporting actor, best director and best cinematography) should have been considered for the golden globes or the Oscars, but that's just my opinion. Direction by Joe Carnahan is dope, showing us many directing methods and these give a phenomenal touch to the movie. I'm not gonna compare it to another movie(s), because it's one of a kind.
Rating: 
Summary: Tries, but ultimately fails.
Review: Narc (Joe Carnahan, 2002)Joe Carnahan does not make easy to understand movies, as anyone who saw his debut film (Blood, Guts, Bullets, and Octane) can attest. His second effort is Narc, released to critical acclaim and moviegoer confusion. It's pretty easy to see why. The first twenty minutes of Narc are about as confusing as anything released in the past half-century. Eventually, with much thought, you will crib together the following: Nick Tellis (Jason Patric, from The Lost Boys) was an undercover narcotics officer until a nasty incident involving a pregnant woman and a stray bullet. He has been suspended for a period of time (seven months is mentioned, but that makes other things not add up too well). He is asked to go back out into the field by his captain, Cheevers (Chi McBride of The Frighteners and Boston Public). He is either going back into the field to investigate the death of another undercover officer, Michael Calvess (Alan van Sprang of Earth: Final Conflict) or to investigate Calvess' erstwhile partner, Oak (Ray Liotta). Eventually, you get to the idea that Tellis is going to act as a double-agent, both working on the Calvess case and Oak at the same time. The movie improves somewhat after the far too rushed setup, focusing on Tellis and his relationship with his wife (Krista Bridges) and infant son. Things disintegrate pretty quickly, though; once we stop focusing on the characters and get back to the plot, we feel like we're in an episode of CHiPs; amazingly, the correct clues just fall into the detectives' laps after they've spent the whole middle third of the film fruitlessly ssearching). Oak and Tellis clash for no real reason on a few occasions, the two both get bogged down in stereotype, and ultimately the story ends up being predictable, even if you couldn't follow the first twenty minutes. What saves the film from complete disaster is some good performances. Patric and Liotta may be stereotypes, but they're well-played stereotypes. Busta Rhymes, as always, is fantastic as a trash-talking drug dealer, and McBride is also doing what he does best, as usual. But ultimately Narc comes off as Blood, Guts, Bullets, and Octane without the humor. **
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies of 2003
Review: Being down this territory of gritty police dramas countless times("French Connection", "Training Day", "Manhunter", etc.), the thing that struck me about "Narc" is that I didn't care about that fact. In the film's shocking opening sequence, we see narcotics officer Nick Tellis (Jason Patric) involved a tragic turn of events that leaves him suspended from duty. So its surprising to him when over a year later, he's asked to look into the murder of another narcotics officer that has went cold. He ends up being partnered with that officers' partner, Henry Oak (played to perfection by Ray Liotta) and sent on a trail of addicts and dealers to solve the crime. But in the end, how far are they willing to go for the truth, and what will it truly cost both of them? Both Patric and Liotta are incredible in the portryal of men who have suffered great pain, and are tortured by it constantly. The visuals in this movie are solid and often range from the creative (a stunning split-screen montage of interogations) to the simple (a extended monologue involving Oak and his past shot through a highly relfective car window). "Narc" ulitmately ends like it should: with no easy answers, and no assurances to anyone's true fate after the final, shocking revealation. It's truly an incredible movie, and among my favorites this year. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: wow!
Review: I haven't seen a cop movie as good as this one in 30 years. As film critics have noted, Joe Carnahan's style harks back to the Serpico and French Connection legacy. Yet "Narc" manages to come across fresh and original, thanks in part to an unflichingly modern depiction of violence. The entire cast delivers Oscar-quality acting, led by Jason Patric and Ray Liotta. Patric plays a restrained, almost gentle cop trying to get reinstated on the force while keeping his family together. Liotta is the loose cannon with no ties, who breaks all the rules in the name of loyalty to his dead partner. The contrast between the two characters makes for some top-notch drama, punctuated by some very electric moments of unadorned, brutal action. Joe Carhanan is a first class director who is able to elicit amazingly fresh, exciting performances out of actors we thought we knew. While this movie is too introspective and gloomy to satisfy action junkies, it definitely qualifies as first class drama. I have not seen directing or acting of this quality in a long, long time.
Rating:
Summary: Great cop movie
Review: Very strong opening! Good story line! Good actors!
Rating:
Summary: Electrifying, spectacular, a "future" classic...
Review: "Narc" is one of those films almost everyone missed in theaters - and yet - through the magic of video, is destined to join the short list of the greatest crime thrillers ever made. Because its plot has been previously discussed so wonderfully by other Amazon reviewers, I won't add anything more beyond saying writer-director Joe Carnahan has crafted one of the most taut and wrenching screenplays in recent memory, complete with a shocking ending that has you sighing in amazement. You think you've seen everything in cop thrillers, and in many respects, you have indeed with "Narc." Yes, this is a story about two tarnished cops. But what's compelling and different are the spectacular, wondrous performances by Ray Liotta, Jason Patric and the entire supporting cast. Everyone associated with this production (who reportedly worked for near nothing), should feel proud of their efforts. You never get the feeling "Narc" is a low-budget picture. It feels like a big studio film, with one huge difference. Instead of a conventional and commercial narrative with everything tied at the end, you get something more believable. Without giving away the ending, which initially feels baffling - when you think about it some more, you come away knowing that a legacy associated with a "horrifying yet humane" secret buried by one cop for puzzling reasons - is inherited with greater clarity - by the other cop for eternity. Hands down, this is a film driven by fabulous performances, a complex script and a free-wheeling, dangerous atmosphere offering the grittiness of the best crime films made during the 1970s. If you like films like "The French Connection," "Dog Day Afternoon," and "Serpico" - or more recently - films like "Goodfellas," "Casino" and "Training Day," you will love "Narc." Yes, Jason Patric is fantastic. But Ray Liotta deserves special mention. In my mind, Liotta lays down the best performance of his career, better than his more memorable turn in Martin Scorcese's "Goodfellas." He's absolutely electric and so suited for this role that it's impossible to think of anyone topping it. It's a letter-perfect, towering role that feels improvised from beginning to end. When he's on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. When he speaks, you're mesmerized. The experience is like watching Gene Hackman come alive for the first time on his own in 1971's "The French Connection." The "R" rating is for violence and profanity. There's no sex, no gratuitous, over-the-top filler and nothing that makes you groan with that "I've seen it all before" disgust. Even if you disagree with the plot, what remains is acting fireworks impossible to dismiss. No one is trying to hard to win awards in "Narc," yet in retrospect, it deserved so much more from Academy members who missed it. It even plays better, emotionally, than "Traffic," another fine film that won awards but had its energy dissipated across a huge ensemble cast. That's OK. A lot of films become "classic" without winning a thing. "Narc" will be one of 'em. Wait ten years and you'll see.
Rating:
Summary: Another great movie with a "Twist" at the end
Review: WOW!!! Patric, Liotta and Busta OUTSTANDING performances. Saw this movie last night and must say that it must have been a "sleeper" hit because I don't remember it getting any commercial play nor very much trailer exposure at the Theaters. I can say one thing I sure am glad that Tom Cruise saw this at Sundance or whatever Film Festival he saw it and decided to back it because it may have been one of those that went str8 to video after 1 month on the big screen which is a shame because I believe many will miss the opportunity to catch this gripping drama. The previous reviews does so much justice to the plot that I won't even go into a lengthy description. Ray Liotta is compelling in his INTENSE good-yet-Hard A$$-cop potrayal(nuff said... want to know more rent the movie), Jason Patric has always been one of the most underrated actors of "my" time he does a Superb job as a Cop dealing with his own demons and the slow realization that there is more to this investigation than is on paper, Chi McBride has a minimal role but always love to see his acting last but not least Busta Rhymes.... I am so impressed by his increased acting roles and the growth he has shown (you go boiiiiiiii - circa Flava Flav) LOL The story/plot is engrossing yes, the plot sounds familiar but TRUST me this is not the same ole scenario, same ole outcome. It has some scenes of violence that may disturb some. The Movie shows some day-to-day injustice that exists out there but is allowed as well as the ever problematic dual NARC life (just take enough to get them to trust you get you in...... YEA... RIGHT!!) Location was in Detroit very dark, gritty some of the scenes are shot with the "running camera" effect which I sometimes get motion sickness LOL but it goes with the flow of the movie, also some of the scenes were played like a comic book set-up (without the cartoon images) but in the "4-scenes-on-the-screen" look. Everything pulled together effectively. If you liked "Rush" you should enjoy this. Respectfully Reviewed
Rating: 
Summary: Clever reimagining of the cop genre
Review: "Narc" covers old territory - the cop movie - in fairly innovative and refreshing ways. Blessed also with compelling performances by Jason Patric and Ray Liotta as two good cops gone bad [each in different ways], it is far better and more watchable than most such movies. Its main drawback is that it is relentlessly grim and humorless. The marvelous Patric plays Detective Sgt. Nick Tellis, whose career was wrecked a year earlier by a drug bust gone terribly wrong. He gets a second chance by being offered a partnership with Detective Lt. Henry Oak [Liotta], whose former partner has been killed. The pair's mission is to find out who killed the cop and why. Their investigation leads them down a twisted path of lies and deceptions. While many viewers may think they've guessed the truth midway through the film, there is a clever final twist that is both surprising and logical. "Narc" shows us an older and much heavier Liotta, who seems to be turning into a much more interesting character actor than he ever was in his younger days as a 'star'. Patric continues to impress as one of the great actors of his generation, one who in recent years seems much more attracted to the roles then to fame. To the stars', as well as the script's, credit, the movie goes to great lengths to show the two men as disillusioned human beings who would like to care about love and life if only they remembered how. It is as much a character study as it is an action piece.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a good film, but a great one.
Review: Narc opens with one of the gutsiest and visceral sequences in recent memory. A wildly flailing camera tracking a breathless Jason Patric, who in turn is chasing after a brutal drug dealer who's pumping passersby with lethal dope as he's running. This is easily one of the most arresting beginnings for a film I've ever seen. And it doesn't stop there. Director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) raved enthusiastically about Narc on the DVD interview and it's easy to see why. Writer/director Joe Carnahan employs many of the same post-modern film techniques as nine out of 10 young directors out there -- jump cuts, handheld camera, aggressive axial breaks. But Carnahan has the good story sense to contrast these with long extended scenes of beauty and emotional exploration, contrasting the stylish parts with real restraint and expression. Save for one scene (Ray Liotta's final scene) where the jump cuts intrude upon emotional catharsis, Carnahan's use of post-modern techniques is about as good as I've ever seen. Jason Patric makes a welcome return to form in Narc, playing strung-out detective Tellis. Somehow he's always been good at drug roles (remember Rush?), and his haunting performance in Narc vindicates him for some of the acting atrocities he's committed. (Speed 2, anyone?) Ray Liotta's character, Henry Oak, is actually much richer than the hot-tempered firecracker depicted in the marketing campaigns, and Liotta's turn is equally charismatic and emotional. He remains a shamefully underutilized talent who deserves to be on top. Honorary to Anne Openshaw, who is mesmerizing in her one scene as Kathryn, the widow of murdered cop Mike Calvess. Carnahan's gritty dialoguing allows the actors to shine nicely, and Alex Nepomniaschy's cinematography is superb, especially given the film's mind-blowing, zero-budget 28-day shooting schedule. That's nearly four and a half pages of script a day! Echoes of Steven Soderbergh's Traffic are inevitable given the subject matter, the expressionistic photography, hard-edged tone, and the harrowing Cliff Martinez score. To me, Narc is the kind of film that gives a good name to modern filmmaking, deftly balancing thematic substance, emotional maturity, great acting, and sure-handed storytelling. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Sleeper that should be more widely seen!
Review: This is a small budget, out of hollywood production with lots of guts. This is a Joe Carnahan-Ray Liotta pet project/brain storm shown as an independent film around the U.S. and Canada. It is so hard hitting that, if you are in your recliner viewing this movie, you may find yourself on your back looking at the ceiling at the end of the story. The story revolves around two characters, Henry Oak (a sometimes out of control tougher than tough cop)and Nick Tellis ( an ex undercover narc burnout ). These roles are played with rich, mutual chemistry by Ray Liotta and Jason Patric, repeating the type of performance he gave many years ago in "Rush." They are tracking down the murderers of the drug dealers that killed Oak's former partner. The landscape is detroit type worn out industrial neighborhoods, otherwise known as heroin heaven. Through the movie, the heart wrending contrast is portrayed of police as loving fathers and husbands twisted by the job they have undertaken. Three of Detroit's "finest" were devastated in this story, and should stimulate soul searching about what we are putting police (and their families) through in our war on drugs. The movie is as tragic as the story, as it deserved widespread distribution and notoriety. However, the people with the most credibility, the film industry people working within this genre of theatre, are raving about "Narc" and the audience at large needs to listen. I believe the undercover "Narc's" in these hardcore slums around the world may appreciate their story being told.
|
