Review of Hell or High Water (2016) by Ohurra_Banwajee — 03 Sep 2016

Balance! Is it more conceptual than achievable? More abstract than necessary? More then than now? Achieving balance is an art that has become so scarce across media that it’s almost a niche. What I appreciated most about Hell or High Water was its balance. Its character balance, its action balance, its scripting balance; all held together in a setting that was plausible, convincing, and, well… balanced.

Action starts almost from the word “GO”, presenting a cast whose members are not necessarily adorable, but whose cause unveils itself over time, whether they be breaking the law or resolutely hell-bent on upholding it. The action itself never leaves you breathless, but the blend of determination by wrong-doers, or righteousness by law enforcers, makes for a homogeneous mix at a steady pace without precipitating into dullness, repetitiveness, or overstaying its welcome in the way that movies of this nature are so easily prone to. With its fair share of violence, the movie expertly steers clear of elements that could otherwise make it gratuitous and predictable. And although there’s profanity, it is cleverly interspersed, delivering impact and realism while avoiding over-indulgence.

Hell or High Water is a well done, rural, mild but sensible action-adventure that fires on all cylinders with suitable power. Its reasonable suspension makes for a pleasing journey over an enjoyable distance, and it checks all the right boxes amid a sense of maturity that delivers both plot and closure to satisfying expectations.