Wonderful film!

Rating: 9/10 (29 February 2004)

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
I hadn't heard anything about this film until the Oscar buzz started and I started seeing commercials for it on television. I'll admit I was interested...the story seemed genuine. After seeing it a couple days ago I have to say that I was pleasantly suprised at how good this film is! It's very violent in nature, but it suits well with the feel of the movie...it didn't seem like overkill. The style at which 'City of God' was filmed was amazing. I loved how the makers found a way to use modern day techniques/tricks all while keeping a documentary-type realism look to it....like the use of a hand-held camera in certain shots, and a Matrix like shot with a rain drop in others. The story is a gritty one and very intriguing. Certain events were predictable (i.e. Benny's death), but overall the story was very engaging, and shocking to see how mindless and 'lost' these kids and the people in this city was. It gave an unprecedented, first-hand look in the life of these hoods in Rio; like Scorcese did with Goodfellas, the makers gave that same 'behind the scenes' look and feel here...and it works wonders. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a while, and I hope it is recognized at the Oscars.
***1/2 out of **** stars.