VNVreviewer

Having watched the Swedish original, I was hoping the US version would be less soporific. Unfortunately it's almost exactly the same movie and like the original, still suffers from glacial pacing and an overwhelmingly drab and dreary aesthetic. It was like watching a feature length, horror version of the opening credits to Coronation Street.

Please don't be fooled by the trailers and any review stating this movie is "action packed" because it isn't. There is some action and most of it is well done (I say only most because the tunnel sequence near the end was extremely poorly done) but "action packed" is an exaggeration. In between the sparse action is a very slow paced and obtuse movie. Another negative is Emily Blunt's character. I say her character because it is the writing that's at fault rather than Emily Blunt's portrayal. Her constant questioning and moral dilemmas just came across as very irritating and I didn't empathize with her character one bit. Her and her partner's exclusion would have made for a slightly less complicated and more enjoyable movie. Some other positives are that the cinematography was very good, the soundtrack was very atmospheric and effective and Benicio Del Toro was as cool and magnetic as ever but these weren't enough to save the movie. If you're interested in the subject matter, I would still recommend it but if like me, you're not and are looking for an entertaining movie, you should avoid watching it.

An excellent movie until the expected showdown is denied to the viewer. I know a big, action packed finale is a cliche but we should get something as an alternative that's equally as satisfying. Instead, the viewer gets nothing. We turn up after it's all happened, Tommy Lee Jones sits down and morosely, whitters on for what seems like an eternity. Bardem gets a mildly interesting scene at the end but it's little compensation.

Pleasant enough but bland, innocuous and clichà ridden. The worst offender being a cheesy, non-ironic montage. Perfect tv movie style fare for a wet Wednesday afternoon but don't waste a Friday or Saturday evening with it.