The Tyranny of Evil men.

Rating: 10/10 (10 December 2007)

The title may be a slight cliché .. I was tempted to use another, but I will mention the other within this review.
Firstly, this film will not appeal to anyone who likes the younger generation of 'actors' and celebrities. This film may not appeal to those who like to munch popcorn whilst they view the screen with wide eyes. I do not recommend this film to anyone who was wildly entertained by films like Transformers or Spiderman 3.
Why do I say this? I will try to keep this as short as I may. To be as succinct as I may, I'll say that this piece of cinema, for those of the right mindset will walk away from this one thinking about what they have seen . .perhaps even unable to think of anything else for a while.
The plot is very simple, most of the film is spent watching the films bad guy pursuing the leading protagonist. Yet this is no ordinary bad guy. No, this character is perhaps the most authentic embodiment of true, realised evil. This character quite rightly, as I believe other reviewers have stated (though not using the same words) makes Hannibal Lecter look like a care bear. To use the word psychopath would dilute what this person perpetuates.
There is no music, or certainly little music in this film, but that is just fine; less is more. I spent a good deal of viewing time listening to my own heartbeat in what could be best described as one of the most terrifying movie experiences of my entire life.
Looking at this man, this creation, is with real sincerity, not the same as looking into the face of a serial killer or angry gun wielding maniac. There is no real emotion or theatrical anger etched on his face as he takes the lives of others. To look at him, his palid face, his dark soulless eyes is to look at a manifestation of an angel of death. Not a simple case of the tyranny of evil men, this is, as the original title might have been 'two hours with the arch angel'.
To view conversations with the character that completely steals the show is to look at a demon in a dark shirt. A demon that looks upon mere mortals with contempt and distain as they try to barter with him for things that he has absolutely no use for. There is no conscience, no emotion, no sense of any form of moral. Even such baddies as Darth Vader were eventually un veiled as having some concentration of good in them. . no such luck with this. . and I'm glad it is this way.
The whole cast give solid performances, even the bit and minor parts have gravity, such a refreshing rarety in modern cinema. Kelly MacDonald sheds her kilt and sporan for the Texan trailer girl. Bronin is great, and Tommy Lee plays the perfect old town sheriff.
I won't say much more, words can't really describe it, it just has to be seen. My advice to you.. understand that you are not going into a happy movie experience, there is no hero in the sunset. This is a thought provoking film that will and should stay with us, making us think and consider, and question.
It would be an injustice if this piece of cinema did not make it to Oscar nominations next year.