Enjoyable, but a solid 3 star
Added 8/29/2009
Unfortunately, I can only give this an average review. I'm a big fan of eric bana, and of certain parts of australian film, but this came out on the average continuum for me. Several aspects brought it down. First, a lot of the film was shot through blue or similar filters; that created an overly depressed feeling for me throughout. I get it that its part of a purposeful characterization of chopper, but it was a bit much. Most, though, was the story and character development. On one hand, i found myself saying through most of the movie "so what." it wasnt' compelling for me, and didn't really drive any emotional connection that connected with me. we're sort of presented with this chopper guy out of nowhere who at face value, appears to be somewhat timid and given to indecision, but yet is also given to random bouts of indiscriminate and unjustified violence. its a character who lacked believability, and i understand that that might be part of the story anyway, but still weird. so irrespective of the disconnect between chopper's character and my expectations of real human stories, the story lacked a compelling catch to bring this into the 4/5 star level. certainly worth a rental, but don't expect huge drama.
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Weird, much like the book
Added 7/6/2008
Much like the book, this movie gives you a glimps into the life of Mark "Chopper" Read. I just happened across this moves years & years ago. It was weird then & it's still weird now. It's about this Aussie who went around killing/Beating drug dealers & other bullies, because he thought he was supposed to. This film is also a chance to see Eric Bana before he came to the U.S. & made it big in films like "Black Hawk Down", "Hulk", "Troy", & "the Other Boleyn Girl". It's a good black comedy that will leave you wanting more. I even purchased the first of his books after seeing this. Now that was an interesting read.
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A short sharp film
Added 5/11/2008
This is a well-made biopic of Mark 'Chopper' Read, an extremely violent Australian criminal who has gone on to become a successful writer. The story, although based on 'Choppers' own books has been spiced up for the film, so some of the events depicted may never have happened. That said its an adrenalin filled film which never lets up in its intensity, which is mostly down to a superb performance by Eric Bana. His portrayal captures the schzoid nature of 'Chopper' who after shooting you, was just as likely to take you to a hospital.
With its relentless nature and short running time of only 90 minutes you'll find that the film is over very quickly. I felt the film could have continued a little longer (very unusual for me) so for me the ending was a bit of dissappointment. However I have few other criticisms and so long as you don't mind violence and drug use portrayed realistically in films you'll enjoy this. Its no masterpiece, but its as good, and in many cases better, than a lot of equivalent Hollywood films.
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Weird but captivating
Added 3/11/2008
Like a train-wreck - with probably about as much gore.
An interesting look into the soul of the 80's Australian crime scene (or at least a dramatisation thereof).
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A Black Life
Added 1/13/2008
This is easily one of the most disturbing, and yet intriguing films I have watched in recent history. Andrew Dominik has created a tragically empathetic examination of professional criminal Chopper Read. Being the debut of the filmmaker that would later go on to make the brilliant 'Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford', this film was a sublime thesis on the psychotically lonely. The former stand-up comedian Eric Bana makes his acting debut alongside Dominik and easily proves his ability to perform, regardless of the text. A truly remarkable film accredited to two up-in-comers. Be warned, it does deserve its R rating, because with in the film, you witness male nudity, (most likely prosthetic), numerous murders, stabbings, and the title character chopping off his ear. But all this is necessary to examine a psychotic killer. Great filmmaking.
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