Sunday, July 25, 2010
Michael Allen
Director/writer: Aash Aaron.
Vigilante is an Australian shot revenge thriller, which was released by MTI Home Video back in late March of this year. This was director Aash Aaron's first screenplay to make the big screen and his first time in the director's chair. So, flaws abound in this ultra-violent action piece, but the film has entertainment value shown in the fight choreography and in a sincere attempt to add in a moral perspective. Canadian film reviewer Judge Power says of the film: "there's no trace of charm or ingenuity to be had" (DVD Verdict). Yet, the film is not so gloomy as this and in fact Vigilante has some low budget charm; also, there are three above average performances by the villains: Alex (Kazuya Wright), Jack (Ozzie Devrish), and Mako (Christian Radford). Also, a few minors errors hamper the film's complete success.
The film begins with an action scene and soon transitions to an intimate couple's night out with a marriage proposal. A night on the beach for further romance ensues, but things take a turn for the brutal, as this couple is preyed upon by three thugs. The woman is raped and murdered, while the man barely survives a vicious beating. Then, the surviving boyfriend dons a thick, surely hot ski mask, to track down his girlfriend's killer in seedy Australian bars and darkly lit alleyways.
Writer Aaron adds in some moral ambiguity by talking about concepts like justice, the law, and what is right. However, this is simply an action flick with a lot of fighting thrown in for fun. The multitude of mostly male actors in the film are strangely the same basic size: 5'10" to 6'2", 225lbs-240lbs, and muscle bound; one might almost think that the actors and crew work out at the same gym. That aside, Robert Diaz as Luke, the boyfriend, must contend with not only a multitude of Ozzie wise-guys, but a new, philosophy espousing girlfriend, who seems to get in the way more than not.
Moral dilemnas aside, Vigilante introduces some of the better villains in low budget film with the characters Alex, Jack, and Mako. Ian Jane of DVD Talkalso notices the villains: "what makes the movie worth watching are the three main villains...Alex's paternal issues make him more interesting than your average psychotic thug and his interactions, at times [are] almost codependent." The ruthlessness of these low level felons is what makes the film interesting as the hero, played by Diaz, lacks acting charm, or charisma. The best moments in the films come from the villains interacting with themselves, or from these rogues interacting with those unfortunate enough to get in their way.
A few critiques need to be pointed out to show some of the imperfections in the film, before moving back to the positive. Luke, after being beaten up, moves through rehab in the time one would take opening a door. As well, there is a continuity error involving Detective Pauline. When she is first introduced, Luke acts as if they are best friends; however, viewers will not be as familiar with her character and a scene was apparently dropped in editing. Also Jane writes "the film looks to have been shot with a low budget on digital video" (DVD Talk) and the film has some overly dark moments. Finally, voice-over narrations are often drowned out by blaring rock music. Choose one sound source next time please.
Vigilante is a solid action film with some nice sub-plots fleshed out along the way. This is not a deep thinking picture, but one meant to be seen for fun. Power calls Vigilante "a stupid movie;" (DVD Verdict) however, the film is one with flaws whose purpose is to entertain, not educate. This purpose is mostly fulfilled in a watching of the film. The film is available now in North American DVD stores and if you like mixed martial arts then you are going to love this film.
Overall: 6.75 out of 10 (-1 for a couple of editing errors, -.25 for acting of the lead, -1 for inaudible audio, -1 for not a strong enough message on justice outside of the law).
Vigilante at MTI Home Video:
Vigilante at MTI
A Vigilante review at DVD Talk:
Vigilante at DVD Talk
And at DVD Verdict:
Vigilante at DVD Verdict
Vigilante on Amazon:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Vigilante is an Australian shot revenge thriller, which was released by MTI Home Video back in late March of this year. This was director Aash Aaron's first screenplay to make the big screen and his first time in the director's chair. So, flaws abound in this ultra-violent action piece, but the film has entertainment value shown in the fight choreography and in a sincere attempt to add in a moral perspective. Canadian film reviewer Judge Power says of the film: "there's no trace of charm or ingenuity to be had" (DVD Verdict). Yet, the film is not so gloomy as this and in fact Vigilante has some low budget charm; also, there are three above average performances by the villains: Alex (Kazuya Wright), Jack (Ozzie Devrish), and Mako (Christian Radford). Also, a few minors errors hamper the film's complete success.
The film begins with an action scene and soon transitions to an intimate couple's night out with a marriage proposal. A night on the beach for further romance ensues, but things take a turn for the brutal, as this couple is preyed upon by three thugs. The woman is raped and murdered, while the man barely survives a vicious beating. Then, the surviving boyfriend dons a thick, surely hot ski mask, to track down his girlfriend's killer in seedy Australian bars and darkly lit alleyways.
Writer Aaron adds in some moral ambiguity by talking about concepts like justice, the law, and what is right. However, this is simply an action flick with a lot of fighting thrown in for fun. The multitude of mostly male actors in the film are strangely the same basic size: 5'10" to 6'2", 225lbs-240lbs, and muscle bound; one might almost think that the actors and crew work out at the same gym. That aside, Robert Diaz as Luke, the boyfriend, must contend with not only a multitude of Ozzie wise-guys, but a new, philosophy espousing girlfriend, who seems to get in the way more than not.
Moral dilemnas aside, Vigilante introduces some of the better villains in low budget film with the characters Alex, Jack, and Mako. Ian Jane of DVD Talkalso notices the villains: "what makes the movie worth watching are the three main villains...Alex's paternal issues make him more interesting than your average psychotic thug and his interactions, at times [are] almost codependent." The ruthlessness of these low level felons is what makes the film interesting as the hero, played by Diaz, lacks acting charm, or charisma. The best moments in the films come from the villains interacting with themselves, or from these rogues interacting with those unfortunate enough to get in their way.
A few critiques need to be pointed out to show some of the imperfections in the film, before moving back to the positive. Luke, after being beaten up, moves through rehab in the time one would take opening a door. As well, there is a continuity error involving Detective Pauline. When she is first introduced, Luke acts as if they are best friends; however, viewers will not be as familiar with her character and a scene was apparently dropped in editing. Also Jane writes "the film looks to have been shot with a low budget on digital video" (DVD Talk) and the film has some overly dark moments. Finally, voice-over narrations are often drowned out by blaring rock music. Choose one sound source next time please.
Vigilante is a solid action film with some nice sub-plots fleshed out along the way. This is not a deep thinking picture, but one meant to be seen for fun. Power calls Vigilante "a stupid movie;" (DVD Verdict) however, the film is one with flaws whose purpose is to entertain, not educate. This purpose is mostly fulfilled in a watching of the film. The film is available now in North American DVD stores and if you like mixed martial arts then you are going to love this film.
Overall: 6.75 out of 10 (-1 for a couple of editing errors, -.25 for acting of the lead, -1 for inaudible audio, -1 for not a strong enough message on justice outside of the law).
Vigilante at MTI Home Video:
Vigilante at MTI
A Vigilante review at DVD Talk:
Vigilante at DVD Talk
And at DVD Verdict:
Vigilante at DVD Verdict
Vigilante on Amazon:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
| | |
Stumble It!Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis by Email
Posted in: aash aaron,action,australia,christian radford,dvd,dvd artwork,kazuya wright,mixed martial arts,movie review,mti home video,ozzie devrish,release date,robert diaz,thriller,vigilante
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