Watched this last night along with my girlfriend, and a mate.
Whether the critics were hammering it or praising it, whatever review site I came across the whole thing seemed controversial and most reviewiers seem quite unsure what to think about the amount of violence. Infact the violence was harped on about so much in what I'd read I was expecting nothing less than an absolute bloodbath of oceanic proportions.
I didn't feel it was that bad at all. The violence does serve the story, it's probably a bit striking in places for some people, but certainly didn't leave me feeling disturbed, or very shocked. More, there is a sense of real danger with these scenes, which seemed to jolt me occasionally. To put it another way, the parts which made me jump back in my premium-head-rest-included chair really weren't bloody but involved old, uncivilised and brutal traits of humanity. Small details which make you wonder just how these people lived, how barbaric they could really be to each other when law and order is not in place.
I don't know how accurate the film is. I read somewhere they'd tried to use as much information as possible, I don't know if that's true, but I'd hope so. The film is really split into two parts. Firstly we're introduced to a really different way of living, and the reality of civilisations, and their dependencies and beliefs in this time and place. The latter part is a 'chase', an action ride with some excellent scenes. Without giving anything away I just know the 'hero' was someone I felt earned the viewers respects, and I was totally willing him on to accomplish goals and deal with his problems.
As a director, Gibson does impress me. I really don't care about his personal habits when I'm watching a film he's directed - I'll judge it on the film itself. He screwed up lately but the amount of comments on review sites for his film going into this stuff is incredible. I see no point in persecuting a man continually on reviews when his films are what I'm interested in. I hate all that political garbage, all I know is the film was worth seeing.
All three of us were happy we'd seen it. Possibly my girlfriend and my mate thought it was better than I did. I'll be watching it again when it's on DVD undoubtedly, great fun.
Whether the critics were hammering it or praising it, whatever review site I came across the whole thing seemed controversial and most reviewiers seem quite unsure what to think about the amount of violence. Infact the violence was harped on about so much in what I'd read I was expecting nothing less than an absolute bloodbath of oceanic proportions.
I didn't feel it was that bad at all. The violence does serve the story, it's probably a bit striking in places for some people, but certainly didn't leave me feeling disturbed, or very shocked. More, there is a sense of real danger with these scenes, which seemed to jolt me occasionally. To put it another way, the parts which made me jump back in my premium-head-rest-included chair really weren't bloody but involved old, uncivilised and brutal traits of humanity. Small details which make you wonder just how these people lived, how barbaric they could really be to each other when law and order is not in place.
I don't know how accurate the film is. I read somewhere they'd tried to use as much information as possible, I don't know if that's true, but I'd hope so. The film is really split into two parts. Firstly we're introduced to a really different way of living, and the reality of civilisations, and their dependencies and beliefs in this time and place. The latter part is a 'chase', an action ride with some excellent scenes. Without giving anything away I just know the 'hero' was someone I felt earned the viewers respects, and I was totally willing him on to accomplish goals and deal with his problems.
As a director, Gibson does impress me. I really don't care about his personal habits when I'm watching a film he's directed - I'll judge it on the film itself. He screwed up lately but the amount of comments on review sites for his film going into this stuff is incredible. I see no point in persecuting a man continually on reviews when his films are what I'm interested in. I hate all that political garbage, all I know is the film was worth seeing.
All three of us were happy we'd seen it. Possibly my girlfriend and my mate thought it was better than I did. I'll be watching it again when it's on DVD undoubtedly, great fun.
My wife has a dislike for sub-titled films although she did manage to watch City of God with me over Xmas. 
