Wordiezett So much average

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

sol- Based on Mark 'Chopper' Read's best-selling autobiography, this graphic drama looks at the notorious Australian criminal's life in and out of jail and his penchant for spinning detailed accounts of violent incidents that tended to stray from the truth. Eric Bana does well in the lead role as we gradually see just how deluded he is, operating under a false assumption that the local police endorse his killing and maiming drug dealers to clean up the streets, and yet the film ultimately feels like more of a collection of assorted events than a cohesive narrative. Some of the incidents are admittedly rather riveting, but others (particularly his girlfriend problems) tend to drag on for too long, especially given that the film's best moments are saved for his conversations with the police; there is a particularly amusing exchange about whether or not he took a man he shot to the hospital and there is a great conversation near the end involving a .410 shotgun. The film is curiously visualised too with unsettling unnatural blue and green light filters and even some slow motion bits. Viewed with Nicolas Winding Refn's similarly themed 'Bronson' in mind, what Bana and director Andrew Dominik manage to achieve here feels extremely slight by comparison, however, 'Chopper' was of course made first and the possible influences on 'Bronson' are intriguing to say the least.

Sam smith (sam_smithreview) Chopper is one of the most iconic Australian films to have been made. With not only an amazing work of the Cast, but also the very dedicated job of the entire team behind it. From the writers to the extra's. Chopper delivers on every single category of great classical films.Eric Bana plays the role of Mark "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most notorious criminals. Chopper is a man who, through circumstance and necessity, uses violence as a tool. He is a man of intense emotion - most of the time he is torn between fear, remorse, horror and despair.Film at its best makes think and makes you uncomfortable. It explores emotions and feelings which the viewer understands but wants to comprehend. This is such a film.Chopper is a man of morals and is angry at himself when he has to compromise in what he believes in. He wants to be loved and this is the reason why life has become infamous to him. There are many criminals out there, but few have captured the imagination quite like Chopper did.Some people criticize the film because it is obviously not an exact account of events, they obviously didn't read the films tag line: "The truth, the whole truth and nothing like the truth!" This film was intended to be a "dramatization" of events and was co-written by Mark "Chopper" Read himself. And he never tries to hide the fact that he makes up a story or two.

billsoccer I watch a lot of noir, 'B', and independent films - perhaps 5 a week, certainly more than 200 a year. I try to avoid the stinkers by watching only those rated 7 (maybe 6 if the actor or plot is of unique interest). Most are fair-to-middling. Some are diamonds in the rough. This is in the other category. I could not finish it, the story line and acting were so bad. This puts it at the very bottom of those I deign to watch. Eric Bana plays a psychopath but as good an actor as he is normally, he either can't overcome the high-school script, or, was allowed to improvise way too much. His actions are not the least believable, and the reason i stuck around for most of the film was I had to believe it was a spoof, Unfortunately, it isn't - too bad. Save yourself an hour and a half and pass this one by.This isn't comparable to other, well- known portrayals of psychos. I must have been watching a different film than the one some of the other reviewers raved about.

Steven Moody Eric Bana (The Hulk, Blackhawk Down, Troy) began his career in Australia on a sketch TV Show called Full Frontal. Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read was an Australian criminal who extorted money from other criminals, basically by being more dangerous and psychopathic than anyone else. He wrote a book detailing his life in the Melbourne criminal underground during one of his prison terms which became a massive bestseller in Australia. In fact, Read became the bestselling Australian author with his series of violent yet comedic books and when a film was to be made of his life, he recommended Bana play him, based on a recurring character Bana had been doing on his sketch show, an obnoxious macho ignoramus called "Poita" – "yabbo"-speak for Peter.The choice was inspired. Bana is magnetic playing the complex Read, witty yet terrifying, intelligent and sadistic. His behavior is so extreme and button-pushing, it really forces you to examine Western ideals of masculinity. Is Chopper admirable or horrifying? He is fearless and seemingly impervious to pain. At one point, he has another inmate cut his ears off in order to be transferred to another wing of the prison. He is a really funny and likable guy in a brash in your face sort of way. Yet he is a cold blooded killer who makes his living terrorizing other people, who just happen to be criminals, specializing in cutting their toes off to compel them to pay his extortion, or killing them outright. He justifies his behavior through his code – he claims he does not hurt "civilians" – only other crooks.Not for those with a weak stomach.