Review of Martyrs (2008) by Steven H — 17 Jun 2011
This movie is a masterpiece. There. I said it. Alot of people disagree with me on this one, but hey.........we all have different tastes. It amazes me how this film is lumped together with some truely atrotious films that don't come anywhere close to the artistry displayed here.
Yes, this is a tough one to sit through. Yes, it's violent as hell. And yes, there is a tonal shift that happens mid-way through that will intrigue some and infuriate others. This isn't just a movie.
It's an experience. And if you are able to let yourself go and roll with the changing tides, you may find yourself glad to have gone on this journey. Toward the end, I always get tears in my eyes.
It's because these are fully developed characters who you find yourself caring about, not plastic stereotypes spouting one liners. Once the movie's over, you can sit for hours discussing what you think it means.
Like I said, many will disagree with this review and complain that the movie sucked and it's just another in a long line of "torture porn" movies. First off, I HATE that term. It immediatly degrades any film to porn.
Second, this movie doesn't deserve that moniker. It's a piece of art. But not all art is meant to be "enjoyed". Sometimes it's uncomfortable. Sometimes it offends the hell out of you.
Sometimes it pushes too many of your buttons. But it makes a lasting impression. I hate to even discribe this as a horror film, because that seems like too simple a description. This is a film that sits squarely in a particular genre and then slowly wriggles out and becomes.
.......just a film. Just a damn good film.
This review of Martyrs (2008) was written by Steven H on 17 Jun 2011.
Martyrs has generally received mixed reviews.
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