Review of Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010) by Chuck N — 10 Mar 2012

It isn't necessary to see the first film in this series, to understand this sequel which transcends it's predecessor by far. The film begins with the protagonist Captain Nascimento's car being riddled with bullets, and in a nod to Scorcese, he proceeds to go back to the beginning via narration to show how he found himself in this predicament.

What follows is a suspenseful tale of police corruption, and it's effect on society at large, and the individual. Director Jose Padilha does an amazing job of taking dozens of characters and making them memorable, and keeping the tale propelling and coherent.

The action is top notch, but the character development elevates this beyond the testosterone charged prequel. In fact, some of the narration borders on profound. Padilha's doing a Robocop reboot next, and the project is in good hands.