An excellent adaptation marred by some exaggerated graphic violent scenes

Rating: 8/10 (28 August 2009)

As a long time fan of the comic I was really looking forward to this movie adaptation and boy, did it exceed my expectations! The movie was true to the book where appropriate for film and even has a smart, new ending which suits the film a lot better.
Unfortunately, whenever there's a fight scene, the level of graphic violence is increased quite a lot compared to what's in the book. We're talking, arms breaking open, blood splattering and even downright, plainly visible dismemberment of limbs by grinder. This was very distracting and seemed like scenes from a splatter-movie (Saw and the like) pasted into an intelligent thriller, just for the heck of it. This mood shift was so noticeable that even my wife, who haven't read the novel, remarked on it. Given the director, one could perhaps not expect anything less but still, this doesn't add to the quality of the movie and story at all. Furthermore, the violence also detracted from the experiences of Walter Kovacs, making them seem less significant for the shaping of his character and personality.
Even so, this is a massive achievement and well worth watching.
But read the novel too ,:)