Dwight (Macon Blair) then haphazardly decides to seek revenge, despite being hopelessly unprepared, physically unimpressive and unskilled in doing so. He discovers his parent’s killer has been released (a member of a nefarious local family). The brilliance of Blue Ruin lies in the fact that our vigilante anti-hero is a vagrant, who has spent years away from his home town in the aftermath of his parents being murdered. By the end of the film they’ve basically become Bronson. The second type sees someone more unexpected driven to revenge. They’re badass already but now they’re pissed. One sees a Bronson-esque badass who goes out to gain revenge. There are two types of revenge film generally.
Best comic book film ever? It just might be.Ī nice variation on the revenge genre. In an era of comic book films that feel light on individuality, and often lack memorable villains and interesting heroes, we have The Crow here, which is visually dynamic and loaded with great performers (and an absolutely killer soundtrack). As well as the effortlessly engaging Lee, the film is blessed with a string of fantastic villains like Tony Todd, David Patrick Kelly, Bai Ling and Michael Wincott (who is fantastic). The film, all tragedy aside is a cult classic and rightly so. Alex Proyas’s gorgeous looking adaptation of James O’Barr’s graphic novel was a wonderful platform for Lee’s talents as not only an ass-kicking action man but a skilled and extremely charismatic actor. The late Brandon Lee seemed destined for super stardom beyond The Crow. Above all though, it’s an absolutely spine-tingling and monumental performance from Paddy Considine that really carries this film. With a lead who has a struggle to distinguish reality, this delves more into genre fare than Meadows probably ever has, whilst the film has a satisfying conclusion. His naturalistic style and penchant for mixing inexperienced actors with the more established, and leaning on a little improvisation here and there, create some interesting results.įor the moments which don’t quite come off here (and Meadows would certainly perfect his style with This Is England) this film still has some great moments. Keeping in Britain, in working class Northern areas, we have this entry from Shane Meadows. Get Carter is unmissable revenge cinema and essential British cinema too. Likewise the film has an absolutely iconic score from Roy Budd. The Newcastle setting in early 70’s England looks suitably grim, grey and dreary but becomes almost a character in itself after Carter travels back ‘home’ from swinging London. Caine is imposing, menacing and unstoppable as Jack Carter, seeking revenge for his murdered brother.īrilliantly directed by Mike Hodges, the film looks fantastic, with some stunning photography by Wolfgang Suschitzky. It’s got some prescient themes and has been re-appraised over the years.Īn absolute great in British cinema with Michael Caine at the top of his game. Bronson seeks revenge in a vintage slice of 70’s era revenge.
He’s a conventional family man, pushed by tragedy, dealing with loss and looking to fight back against the crime ridden streets. There may be some truth to that, whilst some of the stereotyping is a little dated these days, but it’s easy to forget that the original film wasn’t about an unstoppable killing machine that Charles Bronson would later become in the sequels.
Representing the darkest in societal vigilante wish fulfilment, Winner was accused of glorifying vigilante acts and violence. Its subsequent sequels, which get progressively crazier (culminating in particular with Cannon’s entries into the genre) were trashier (but enjoyable). Michael Winners exploitation classic from the early 70’s was greeted with scathing reviews. So here we have, a diverse selection of revenge themed films: Picking 10 essential films in such a wide and all encompassing genre is difficult, particularly as some films, like The Godfather, certainly have revenge within, but would be difficult to classify as a straight up revenge film. There have been innumerable films but that overriding quest for vengeance is always there. It’s a long tried and tested formula which still proves immensely popular. Tom Jolliffe offers up ten essential revenge films…Ī dish best served cold.
0 kommentar(er)
