Wrath of Man

This dark heist flick offers a very, VERY angry tough-guy protagonist driven by vengeance, gangs of exemplary thugs (Darrell D'Silva was the best!), raw shootouts and super-dark, heavyweight music that adds to the film’s gut-punching seriousness. Of course, the action is superbly directed with absorbing camerawork that is magical, even when the film is just building up to the action. The flashbacks in the first two-thirds are also pleasing, with the causes of events told in an original way through editing and the gradual revealing of the main character’s identity. If it had an even more sophisticated climax (which, as it stands, is rather “only” a well-done action scene) and settling of scores with the main villain (who, furthermore, should not have been played by the non-actor Eastwood Jr.), Wrath of Man would have been a reference work in the genre. (08.06.2021)

In the first act I had a problem with the characters, they seemed strangely out of touch with reality in terms of their behaviour, but once the narrative switches to other points of view it somehow falls into place. Wrath of Man is a masculine film, cold and without any hint of humour. If I didn't know who made it, I'd be much more likely to guess I was watching S. Craig Zahler's new movie than Guy Ritchie's. I don't usually look forward to new Jason Statham films, and I wasn't expecting anything from this one either, but it ended up being surprisingly the best action flick of the year so far. The ending at the depo reminded me of Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13, which is the best possible calling card. (26.05.2021)

Feel my Wrath! I'm shocked what a gem Wrath of Man turned out to be. I was expecting a classic Statham action movie, but instead I got a well thought-out revenge-heist and gangster film with an atmosphere so dense, raw, and unpleasant at times that I was genuinely scared. There is less action than I expected, but considering the overall result, I forgive everything. The trailer showed maybe 10%, and I was shocked at how the movie turned out. I had no idea where it was heading. Jason Statham definitely has the best role of his career playing an angry, pissed-off boss with a cold expression craving revenge, but at the same time, he has character and doesn't kill people who are not against him. This is the dreamed badass protagonist I love, and I finally got to see him. The young Scott Eastwood impresses as well. He shows for the first time that he can act, playing a slimy, cold, and evil character flawlessly. The story is told retrospectively from multiple angles and perspectives, just the way I like it. There are a lot of tough guys who command respect, blood is not spared, neither are corpses. The final heist plan is as well-thought-out as in Money Heist, and the action-packed half-hour at the end is more than satisfying. The sound effects of the guns are stunning! (no muffled gun barrels). The whole movie is accompanied by a gripping and dark soundtrack that elevates it even higher. I must praise the realism and authenticity of the entire story. (the scene with the SWAT team, those guys commanded so much respect that I started to wish they would never come out of that car, otherwise they would take me away!). The final reckoning is among the sweetest revenge endings I've ever seen, and of course, there was one unexpected twist. A truly amazing manly feat loaded in all directions, and I'm looking forward to watching it again! I enjoyed it immensely. A contender for movie of the year! 9/10. (26.05.2021)

I've had a long-standing problem with Statham and I just don't enjoy watching him. But when I think about it, I don't think I've seen him do anything better. The superiority and smugness that characterizes perhaps every one of his roles suited me just fine this time. It was funny and tough at first, then hard and ruthless later. Good characters, atmosphere, cinematography, editing. Well, I haven't left a movie theater this impressed in a long time. Then again, I haven't left a movie theater at all in a long time. (27.07.2021)

It's as if, after the more or less upbeat and cheerful The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie decided he had to set things straight somehow, and he made the darkest, meanest film of his career. In Wrath of Man, he cuts back on his trademarks of frantic editing and narration, the film doesn't rush anywhere and has time to crawl under people's skin – and make you feel quite uncomfortable. Atmospherically, it reminds us of something between S. Craig Zahler's films and 70s thrillers, and thanks to the non-chronological narrative, it manages to be a fairly B-movie story into something you can't take your eyes off. And then we have Jason Statham, who has never had a better role in his life. His uncompromising expression and Ritchie's unexpected approach to directing (that music!) actually make the film quite uncomfortable to watch in the end. You can feel the anger, rage and aggression bubbling to the surface, with both men doing their best to delay the moment when the carnage breaks out. It's almost torturous, but it works brilliantly. Ritche has made a very different film than his fans would expect him to make. This vigorous sidestep shows that he's far from showing everything he can do as a filmmaker. I'm happy for him and his new release. Very happy. (30.05.2021)