Review of Elite Squad (2007) by Compi24 — 20 Mar 2020
It's the BOPE vs. the cartel in this seedy, sleazy sprint through the favelas of Rio, one that unfortunately brings me back to the punchline of a, now dated, cutaway from Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy -- "Kids, kids.
You're both. . .just awful." Let me start off by saying that, I completely and totally recognize my fortune in hailing from a country that has nowhere near the amount of troubles as the one depicted here, but when it comes to the role of the police in society, it's not as if that concept's never come up out here in The States.
And though I'll almost always root for the guys on the right side of the law in a movie, it was genuinely difficult to like -- or let alone get to know -- any of the characters in this. When it's not busy being downright ugly and brutal, "Elite Squad" is sowing the seeds of an eventual scene that's ugly and brutal.
Yes, it helps that we have characters admitting they regret doing the things we see them do. Yes, I understand the juxtaposition of the BOPE's actions vs. the cartel's. Did that all add up to an enjoyable, enthralling watch? Not really.
This review of Elite Squad (2007) was written by Compi24 on 20 Mar 2020.
Elite Squad has generally received positive reviews.
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