Lucky Number Slevin

Intellectuals who appreciate the appropriate intellectual nourishment, such as refined works of Tarkovsky or Bergman, should avoid this film like the plague, as it falls into a completely different category within Tarantino's style. We find ourselves in the realm of mass popular culture, specifically crime dramas set in New York, where two mafia clans compete with each other, filled with cynical jokes and one-liners. The screenplay is far from the best in this subgenre, and truth be told, Lucky Number Slevin is one of those films that are worth watching once, with no need to revisit them. If I had the desire and opportunity to see it again, I would mercilessly lower my percentage and star rating. However, I can recommend it for a single viewing, unless you want to dissect the nonsensically convoluted path of the protagonist's revenge. The lighthearted tone and the presence of several acting talents significantly contribute to this, particularly the seasoned genre veteran Bruce Willis. With his typically stone-faced expression and dry one-liners, he marches from one scene to another, leaving behind only the dead bodies of his enemies. Meanwhile, despite the misery of his work, the screenwriter has a few surprises up his sleeve for the audience, so even your sense of the genre game won't be left wanting. Overall impression: 75%. (08/09/2011)

This film was a very pleasant surprise. I hardly had any expectations, I don’t like gangster films and and I’m not a fan of Josh Harnett, and even the title wasn’t very appealing. But I ended up having fun from the very first minute. Lucky Number Slevin begins as a very funny crime comedy with a fleeting plot, where everyone behaves very weird, which I thought was fine since comedies can push the boundaries between logic and stupid behaviour as they see fit. I was very surprised when things got serious in the last half hour, the story becomes rational and the behaviour of the protagonists is explained. Unfortunately, the explanation is quite messy at times, I would have been more satisfied if they’d stuck to the comedy all the way till the end. Regardless, the positive feelings prevail. (05/08/2011)

I'm quite glad that after watching the movie "Bride Wars," I chose to watch "Load and Kill" because I immediately got the feeling that it still makes sense to watch movies and that they can still bring something new and interesting. That's exactly what I got from the movie with the terrible Czech title. It's a great action film that doesn't spare violence and naturalism, but also doesn't spare humor, and it's not afraid to go into absurdities. I wouldn't be afraid to compare it to the movie "Red," where they also have some actors in common - two at once. Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis have come together again, this time giving more space to Josh Hartnett, who is truly great in this case. You will truly believe that fool, and in addition, he is excellently portrayed by the great Lucy Liu. They all fit together perfectly, and you will enjoy the story, which may look a bit tangled at first glance, but once you penetrate it and reveal the essence, you will become part of a thoughtful whole that won't disappoint you. The way it is presented, from the camera to the acting performances and editing, it all fits together. It is such a small, great film that there can never be enough of them. I really enjoyed it, and the film impressed me, even though I didn't hear much about it when it was in theaters. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/kocour-v-botach-jedna-hodne-blba-svatba.html (19/02/2013)

When the third meaningless murderous scene appeared within the first quarter hour, I started to feel slightly uneasy, and when everything in its ironic spirit led to the same culminating climax, I was by then almost irritated. But then came what I never would have expected: I forgot that Lucky Number Slevin was directed by Paul McGuigan (he definitely wouldn't be pleased to see how many people are accusing him of plagiarizing Quentin Tarantino), who once played with a confused tangle when he presented me with the excellent film Pushing Tin. And he pulled off something similar here as well when he comes up with a complicated, but brilliantly made gradation that is longer than usual and gives very clear and sufficiently effective answers to all questions. At this moment, I think that the ironic detachment in the first part was actually not so unnecessary because it was balanced by a superb atmosphere and soundtrack right on the border between sarcasm and gangster themes. In the end, just under 80%, for the absolutely flawless Bruce Willis and above-average remainder of the cast, along with the excellent camera work and McGuigan, whose next work is worth waiting for. (28/11/2006)

Lately, there have been too many of these attempts at innovation, but this relatively tired mess, which is only interesting for its visuals and a few camera moments, is just like all the others, thus nothing special. The initially solid plot is ruined by the final half-hearted and considerably complicated explanation with a ton of flashbacks. The connection with the characters is minimal because at the beginning, we do not know why they act the way they do, since we do not know the whole plot, and the messed up ending can’t save things. It lacks a bit more with and perhaps more action. Ben Kingsley is tragic, and Josh Hartnett simply doesn't fit here, Bruce Willis is great, though. (24/05/2007)