Mechanics of Filming

Rating: 7/10 (1 September 2006)

I'd give this movie a 9+ for story. The shots are setup nicely. The wildly distracting element is the green push in the film and the very annoying 'NYPD Blue' style camera jostling, in parts. Really inconsistent filming. Some scenes - perfect. I've seen a number of films with the green/grain/'ekta'-chrome push. This film takes it to extreme. Shadows around the eyes, many areas are just plain green. I have a huge HD screen, and expected the upverted video to match a well done DVD, but that quality just wasn't there. Watches like VHS on a broken SD TV.
The action scenes are very good - what distracts from them are the parts that include 1/4 second scene cuts, intentional camera shake - the scenes are already exciting, not being able to focus on anything in particular is just distracting. Extending the scenes 2+ minutes longer than needed is also hurts the film. I feel like a viewer on 10 grams of caffeine after a wild night out at the bars. Nauseous, nervous and ready to spit up - and not from excitement.
The storyline is actually very good, except for some minor line flubs, the acting is consistent and good. The knife vs. rolled up paper fight scene is very well done. The last car chase - just awful.
The Green push.. what's up with that?
Very good film, with a few serious production flaws. Coulda been a 9 1/2. I'd buy a re-release w/o the production issues.