Primal Fear

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Legal Drama
Review: Primal Fear does a great thing , by providing you with a nail biting thriller and a great human drama. You can feel Martin Vail 's(Richard Gere in his best perfomance to date) ambition, greed, frustration and redemption. Most notably the flilm has an extraordinary performance by Edward Norton as the teen accused of murdering the Arch-bishop.Coupled with a wonderful score(Mozart and a wonderful Italian song unknown to me), and great Chicago locations. Primal Fear is a superb thriller.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome ! Gere at his best. Full of surprises.
Review: A little on the gory side, but really a great action flick. The ending is unexpected and leaves a little bit hanging, possible sequel material. Gere does an excellent job playing a high-priced defense attorney.

Rating:
Summary: You gotta be kidding!!!
Review: This is a great movie with interesting plot twists?? I groaned throughout this movie. So predictable....the egotistical lawyer, his ex-lover DA, the dialogue, the acting....ughh. Nothing more than a basic Hollywood formula movie.
I will watch this occasionally to remind me what a recycled , done before, same old same old Hollywood type movie and how much I hate them. I guess some people get off on the same old stuff. Well if you don't, I warned you.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, poor DVD
Review: Primal Fear is one of those movies you must see regardless whether or not you are a Richard Gere fan. Why? Simply because of Edward Norton's character. Martin Vail (Richard Gere) is a big shot attorney who defends Norton for free just so he can get some big time public recognition even though he already has it. Laura Linney is the prosecutor who also happens to be Vail's ex-girlfriend. Despite the story being interesting from start to finish, there is a big twist in the end due to the talented acting by Edward Norton. Now onto the DVD... Though the film is presented in widescreen, the bottom portion of the picture is cropped. This is not a huge problem if you have a widescreen TV yet is still very noticable. Aside from that, there are no special features (I don't consider theatrical trailers to be a special feature). I would have very much liked to have seen interviews with Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and of course Edward Norton. If you have a VHS, don't bother replacing it with the DVD unless it is completely worn out.

Rating:
Summary: The GREAT Edward Norton....
Review: The breakout performance of perhaps the greatest actor of his generation, Edward Norton. His fine performance pulls this movie above the sum of its parts. It's a good enough thriller, although somewhat predictable. There are fine supporting performances, but it is Norton's performance MAKES this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Primal Primer
Review: Based on the novel by William Diehl, Primal Fear is one of the best thriller/courtroom dramas ever put on film. The first time I saw the movie, it was as a VHS rental, and I was drawn in from start to finish. From its chilling opening, to the final twists, I'm happy to report the film hasn't lost any of its edge.

Powerful Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) will take any controversial case, especially, if that case assures him a spot on the news, or a front page newspaper article. However, even his skills as a lawyer, indeed his very beliefs will be tested with his latest case. When altar boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton making his film debut) is accused of murdering an archbishop, he finds himself tangled in a web of corruption, and misdirection. His opponent for the prosecution is his former protege and lover Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who's out to make this her watershed case.

Adapted for the screen by writers Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, the script is a real powerhouse, that's executed flawlessly by director Gregory Hoblit. The movie is perfectly paced and never allows you anytime to look at your watch. I can't say enough about how impressive Norton's performance is here. It's quite rare that a newcomer can outshine the more seasoned pros--somehow he does just that, elevating Gere into giving his best performance on film too. Since this movie, Norton rarely disappoints. Look for solid support from John Mahoney (TV's Frasier) as John Shaughnessy and Alfre Woodard as the tough as nails judge in the case.

The DVD's only extra is the theatrical trailer. I would have expected more bonus material, given how good the film is. Having said that, Primal Fear, is still a five star effort. Highly recommended

Rating:
Summary: Primal Fear-The Ultimate Courtroom Drama
Review:
Primal Fear is an excellent movie, that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to occur next. Featuring Richard Gere and Edward Norton, These actors do a tremendous job which makes them unstoppable in the persuasion of their roles. Many law shows and movies are decent, but they lack crucial evidence to make their movie or show realistic, and things always seem to fall into place; however, in this movie you see how gullible people are and how one client can deceive the whole justice system. It is the best courtroom drama since O.J.`s case, with enough evidence and detail to support the entire movie it is by far a five star flick. The film was a hit in all aspects due to the actor's phenomenal job, the sense of truth it had to it, and the legendary storyline that is fantastic.
The acting throughout this movie was brilliant, with a surprise ending and great scenes, it was all accomplished by the magnificent performance of the actors. Edward Norton and Richard Gere deliver an excellence performance in this courtroom drama about kindness and deception. Edward Norton plays an inconspicuous character, named Aaron Stampler , that will have you questioning the outcome for the entirety of the movie. The first half of the movie introduces Edward Norton as a shy, harmless young man accused of a murdering an arch bishop. Following his incarceration, in jail, Richard Gere (Martin Vale) steps up, in an amazing performance, as Edward's high price lawyer, who takes Edward's case to gain publicity. Furthermore, as the case unfolds Richard finds himself in a predicament, due to lack of evidence, that makes him question Edward's innocence and leads him to believe the case is unbeatable. As the story thickens Edward reveals his other side, who is a ruthless, deceitful young man desired to obstruct the justice system. Unable to plead insanity, Richard Gere faces many challenges to prove Edward's innocence, which appears impossible. Edward Norton's debut in this movie is short of breath taking, as he remains dedicated and ambitious throughout the movie. Richard Gere is also To thank for the greatness of this movie as he plays a prominent part that shows off his wonderful acting skills. Richard Gere and Edward Norton combined were just unstoppable in this movie, and proved that together they can produce an astonishing, out of this world courtroom drama.
As the plot unfolds and the ending occurs you see the truth behind the movie, and that's what makes it creative. This movie has truth to it, because any criminal in life could pursue this movie and possibly have a chance at getting away; in fact , due to the sequence of events and the creativeness to the plot you would think this movie was based on a true story. Primal fear is a movie that has logical views with great strengths that make the movie entertaining and convincing. Once you conclude its relevance in the courtroom you see a way the justice system could be fooled by a single citizen. That is what makes this move and separates it from the fictional movies that could never happen. Primal Fear is a movie that makes you think about court cases and how deceptive people can be.
The movie was well thought out, with the sequence of events being intense, your mind becomes drawn in as you becomes curious what the next scene will convey. The story-line is brilliant, each seen escalates in suspense from the beginning to especially the end. Although, the very beginning might seem a little slow don't let it fool you, as they are just setting the twists and turns for the rest of the movie. Be prepared though, as you watch Edward`s character evolve, you become so fascinated with the climax, that you become anxious to see the conclusion. The most notable part of this movie is definitely the end; it delivers how creative the movie makers are, with the ultimate display of courtroom drama, as Richard Gere and Laura Linney argue over Edward Norton`s innocence, it is untouchable by any other , as Edward's fate in the movie is revealed.
In conclusion, I believe this is one of the best movies ever made, and that viewing it would be well worth your time. With good acting, a terrific story line, and truth behind it, it is by far one of the best movies of all. Well thought out and executed perfect in every seen, this is the kind of movie you will always remember and tell a friend about. This movie will be a good investment in your time and will leave you in ah as the plot unfolds and the truth comes out.




Rating:
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: I was disappointed because I'd read so many 5* reviews here on Amazon before seeing the movie, but come on, the best ending ever?!?!?

God help you people, I suppose you couldn't work out what would happen in Gothika either? & I bet you struggle to imagine what happens at the end of 'Sleeping Beauty' as well!

Anyway, that said, the acting is great, there's no finer actor around than Edward Norton & if I hadn't taken so much notice of all the hype about how amazing this film is then I probably would've given it 4* because of the acting performances.

But that ending? I saw it coming most of the movie. Not as quicly as Gothika mind you, I worked out the ending of that movie about 10 minutes in!!

Rating:
Summary: Would you believe
Review: Would you believe I just saw this two weeks ago? I was blown away. Ed Norton in what appears to be one of his first movies, could still very well be one of his best performances. I hated Richard Gere the entire movie, but seeing Ed Norton fumbling, and stuttering, and well... acting. Brilliant. This re-confirmed the fact that he's one of the best actors of our time. I completely and totally recommend this movie. You will be SHOCKED.

Rating:
Summary: Edward Norton = Amazing Actor
Review: This movie was really good. The ending blew me away and this was the first time I saw Edward Norton perform. Amazing actor, man...amazing. Richard Gere was very good in this as well. Good movie.