The Boondock Saints

An inventive screenplay and direction from Duffy (the ingeniously written scene with the reconstruction of the shoot-out) that any would-be action director would have been proud of. Excellent acting performances both by the main two or the directing Willem Dafoe give the movie an inimitable atmosphere. I hope that Troy Duffy gets enough dough for part two so that the Saints can pull out all the stops again. And shepherds we shall be, for Thee, my Lord, for Thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris. Et Filii. Et Spiritus Sancti. (20/05/2009)

Well, I was flabbergasted. This isn't just any ordinary crime/thriller, this is a proper gritty film about two brothers who decide to take justice into their own hands as two saints who are chosen to rid the world of filth. There's also the great Willem Dafoe, who is breathtaking as the policeman. A big surprise! (05/09/2017)

The story may limp along, you can easily mix up the supporting characters if you don't pay close enough attention, and I still haven't deciphered the final message years later (Satire? A warning? Both?), but I don't mind. The symphony of blood, action, and slow-motion shots contains almost everything a genre fan could wish for and pleasantly engages the viewer throughout. When I add Willem Dafoe's eccentric exhibitionism, any negative aspects are much harder to find. (20/06/2008)

Those were the days when they didn't know how to do comic book stuff yet. If it had the aesthetic of a darker Marvel or normal DC today, it could be a blast. But The Boondock Saints has a bit of a blowhard Ritchie and a bit of a whiny Tarantino, with some solid screenwriting in places, but nothing more. The few interesting moments cannot overcome the utter aesthetic chaos and confusing directorial style. I’d be interested in a remake, because the material does have potential. (13/06/2021)

Excellent stuff. A film full of blood, violence, shooting, killing, wisecracks, praying and great acting performances... What more could you ask for in an action film? Willem Dafoe gives such a brilliant performance that I would have given him four Oscars in a heartbeat, I really loved him here and I loved him literally!! One big ride. 100% (08/02/2015)