After reading about 150 of the 360 reviews to date, and having just watched the film on Netflix, I wish to put some perspective on this apocalyptic film version of Cormac McCarthy's book. First, I find that critics and readers have decided McCarthy is almost a God today. I unfortunately do not share this view, at least based on the films I have seen. "No Country For Old Men" was OK, but it apparently was about a different idea than what was involving me as a viewer, and it felt like the last chapter was missing. "The Road" was bleak and depressing for the most part, which I guess is to be expected in this genre without looking silly.
The commendable aspects include the cast and the bleak cinematography. Many have commented on Kody Smit McPhee's whining and crying as annoying, because after so many years he should have been toughened up. But this was the only tender human emotion in the film, and it was, I believe, intended to show that he had not lost his humanity. The ending, which, like "No Country", came abruptly, though none too soon, gave a slight feeling of hope, though almost no closure. This too is criticized by many as Hollywoodish, but do you absolute realists want a bleak film to be unrelenting from start to finish? Even funerals try to add some joy.
The down sides of this film are its length, too long, with very little happening or changing, and the flaw that has them leave the fallout shelter on the flimsiest of reasons when they had enough food and supplies to last a very long time there. Some people watch movies for flaws, and if you are one of those, then I suppose there were plenty, but I try to accept the film as it is, and see to what extent it involves me emotionally and with full attention. This film was so-so at best. I concur with reviewers who liked "The Road Warrior" better, for it was very entertaining, but not very realistic. It was like a WWE show in an apocalyptic setting.
I didn't bother to review the overall plot here, as with over 350 reviews, it has been covered thoroughly. My point was to negate the hyperbole that so many reviewers reported. The film was mostly well done, but not very entertaining, and as such did not do very well at the box office, despite glowing reviews by critics and a widespread release. I gave it a 6, because it wasn't awful, and it wasn't great. I'm glad I rented it, rather than paid to see it in a theater, and I won't watch it again, for at my age (70) I don't want to invest 2 hours repeatedly on a movie that has so little joy, hope, or anything clever or funny, no matter how well done it may be.
The commendable aspects include the cast and the bleak cinematography. Many have commented on Kody Smit McPhee's whining and crying as annoying, because after so many years he should have been toughened up. But this was the only tender human emotion in the film, and it was, I believe, intended to show that he had not lost his humanity. The ending, which, like "No Country", came abruptly, though none too soon, gave a slight feeling of hope, though almost no closure. This too is criticized by many as Hollywoodish, but do you absolute realists want a bleak film to be unrelenting from start to finish? Even funerals try to add some joy.
The down sides of this film are its length, too long, with very little happening or changing, and the flaw that has them leave the fallout shelter on the flimsiest of reasons when they had enough food and supplies to last a very long time there. Some people watch movies for flaws, and if you are one of those, then I suppose there were plenty, but I try to accept the film as it is, and see to what extent it involves me emotionally and with full attention. This film was so-so at best. I concur with reviewers who liked "The Road Warrior" better, for it was very entertaining, but not very realistic. It was like a WWE show in an apocalyptic setting.
I didn't bother to review the overall plot here, as with over 350 reviews, it has been covered thoroughly. My point was to negate the hyperbole that so many reviewers reported. The film was mostly well done, but not very entertaining, and as such did not do very well at the box office, despite glowing reviews by critics and a widespread release. I gave it a 6, because it wasn't awful, and it wasn't great. I'm glad I rented it, rather than paid to see it in a theater, and I won't watch it again, for at my age (70) I don't want to invest 2 hours repeatedly on a movie that has so little joy, hope, or anything clever or funny, no matter how well done it may be.