Rating: 
Summary: "Are you all Right...?"
Review: That's usually the first thing a genuinely contrite Mark Brandon Read says to his victim after whatever horrific act of violence he's just perpetrated on them, such as stabbing them repeatedly in the face..... Chopper tells Read's story, as he goes from jailhouse loser to Aussie celebrity and best-selling author. Along the way we get to see the aforementioned face stabbing, a face-shotgunning, ears being cut/torn/pulled off, genital exposing, girlfriend beating, and other charming behavior from the genial killer, called Chopper (I presume) because of his propensity for chopping off people's toes with bolt-cutters. I consider myself pretty strong-stomached, but there were a few scenes in Chopper that made me cringe, especially the ear scene. (In his audio commentary, the real-life Chopper hilariously tells where Quentin Tarantino went wrong with his legendary ear scene in "Reservoir Dogs".) The title character is vividly brought to life by Eric Bana, who will probably become well-known for his upcoming role in Ang Lee's Hulk movie, but deserves recognition for his absolutely stunning performance here. Bana gained over thirty pounds over the course of filming, and the transformation he undergoes is stunning, and rates alongside Robert De Niro's celebrated turn in "Raging Bull". Bana is THAT good.... The film is WAY too short, and glosses over a lot of details that the filmmakers probably assumed the audience would already know. The box says Chopper's Mom was devoutly religious, but it's never mentioned in the film, and the way the Cops let this mad-dog roam free just defies belief; Bana brings such barely controlled rage and violence to the part that it's hard to believe anyone would go within 100 feet of this guy! But as the "Weekend with Chopper" featurette shows, the real Read is a pretty charming guy when he wants to be. (Check out his reaction to the film's projected 2000 release date, though- If I were Bana, I would have got up and run for the hills!) I don't know how much of Read's recollections are really true, but I'll tell you what: True or not, he scares the hell out of me. The DVD features seperate audio commentaries by the Director & Read, deleted scenes, a theatrical trailer, and the "Weekend with Chopper" featurette. Now please excuse me while I go try to track down all of Read's books.....
Rating: 
Summary: Super
Review: The extra features on this dvd made the experience even better than watching the movie for the first time.
Its rare that a movie is better than the book. Chopper's first book was good, the movie was great, but the dvd coupled with the features is fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Bana's unbelievable physical transformation!!
Review: There are plenty of reviews here that deal with the content and storyline of "Chopper". But I want to discuss Bana's amazing physical transformation to play this part.
Not since Robert DeNiro's chameleon-like transformation into Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull" has an actor so thoroughly entrenched himself in the physicality of a role. Bana made his early career as a stand-up comic Down Under, but look at what he has done here! Watch "Black Hawk Down" to catch the "normal-looking" Bana, then watch "Chopper", his earlier film, to see the lengths he went to to gain some 80 pounds of fat/thickness to play this hulk (no 2003 movie pun intended -- okay, maybe it is intended) of a thug named Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most conspicuously (in)famous criminals.
At the start of the movie, and early in the filming of the movie, Bana/Chopper is a physically imposing yet fit figure. As the years pack on the pounds, Bana gained the girth to mirror Chopper's. A truly amazing and brave acting choice! Now read other reviews if you want opinions on the film (I liked it, by the way). But somebody tell DeNiro that Bana is close on his tail.
Rating:
Summary: Bana's unbelievable physical transformation!!
Review: There are plenty of reviews here that deal with the content and storyline of "Chopper". But I want to discuss Bana's amazing physical transformation to play this part.
Not since Robert DeNiro's chameleon-like transformation into Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull" has an actor so thoroughly entrenched himself in the physicality of a role. Bana made his early career as a stand-up comic Down Under, but look at what he has done here! Watch "Black Hawk Down" to catch the "normal-looking" Bana, then watch "Chopper", his earlier film, to see the lengths he went to to gain some 80 pounds of fat/thickness to play this hulk (no 2003 movie pun intended -- okay, maybe it is intended) of a thug named Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most conspicuously (in)famous criminals.
At the start of the movie, and early in the filming of the movie, Bana/Chopper is a physically imposing yet fit figure. As the years pack on the pounds, Bana gained the girth to mirror Chopper's. A truly amazing and brave acting choice! Now read other reviews if you want opinions on the film (I liked it, by the way). But somebody tell DeNiro that Bana is close on his tail.
Rating: 
Summary: Chops of Rubbish!
Review: This film was baaad! i think the storyline was weak and boring, well i fell asleep half way through so i may have missed some good parts...doubt it!anyway, i think wats his face Bana man was good in it but..hello!violent film? err, yeah just as about violent as bloody men in black! This film was not VIOLENT. It was WEAK and needed a kick up the bum bum!nothing special at all...stick to American prison films, they're much grimier n have better storylines.
Rating:
Summary: Immensely entertaining dark little film
Review: This is a very dark comedy about a guy who extorts money from criminals to make his living. Eric Bana plays the part perfectly. This is the toughest character ever caught on film. Even so, you actually end up rooting for him. An immensely entertaining dark little film. If you are a Tarantino/Coen Bros fan, see this one.
Rating:
Summary: Revenge of the Resovoir Dogs
Review: This is the best action/ cult film since Resovoir Dogs. It's violence is so detailed that true violent film buffs will think they died and went to heaven. Buy this today!
Rating:
Summary: BEST CRIME FILM EVER
Review: This is the most magnificent acting job (Bana in the title role) that I have ever seen. The word magnificent might seem a bit fancy when you consider that I am describing a comic portraying a killer, but I can think of no other word. Chopper is a self-proclaimed killer and all around tough, but he also has more confidence and chutzpah than any film character I can remember seeing. (DeNiro in Taxi Driver was a sociopath, plain and simple, no ifs, ands or buts, and fascinating to no end, but no chutzpah, just gaffes). I once read in a women's magazine that confidence is the single most attractive trait in a man, and yes, that is evident here, in spades. This man cannot be described in words--unless you consider his own, in his 8 books, the first of which describes almost all the deeds done in the movie (Chopper: From the Inside). Everything in this movie clicks and rings true for film as well as the true escapades of a killer. I am even having trouble getting Don't Fence Me In (by Frankie Laine) out of my head. It was sung over the opening credits, and a more appropriate choice couldn't have been made. Movies like this were made for video so they can be viewed again. And again. This is real movie-making! Australia should be proud, and I hope the US doesn't forget it when awards time comes around. (But it probably will)
Rating:
Summary: Laughable amatuerish dreck
Review: This movie has been compared to masterpieces such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoire Dogs. The question is why? Chopper does contain explicit gore scens such as ear mutilations and shootings. Apart from the violence, Chopper lacks the humor and masterful direction from Tarantino's classic works. In addition, the acting is substandard and the plot quite simple and boring. This movie has been hyped up to be the biggest thing out of Australia for years but Chopper disappoints on all levels except the DVD transfer which is tolerable. If you want to see an Australian classic, watch Roadwarrior; Mad Max 2 and stay away from Chopper, which is one stinking DVD, which reeks of cheap production and lame acting.
Rating:
Summary: Bana's never been better
Review: This movie is basically about Bana and his character Chopper and he is a criminal who becomes an author. Bana is one of his best(actually its his best so far, I think he's only done this Black Hawk Down and The Hulk, Anyway and he is a chunky guy too compared to his others). this movie hits hard and it hits fast and thats basically the reason I liked it, the performances, the atmosphere and the colors. Bana must of ate and ate and ate and ate for this role and i'm glad he did it. I saw this film on digital cable on the sundance channel. a powerful piece of work
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