Mr Darkness, Billy 'I directed the Exorcist' Friedkin gave this film his personal recommendation. This is with good reason. The film 'Narc' is excellent. So good it even got the attention of Tom 'I'm still a scientologist' Cruise. As a debut feature this makes the film even more impressive. I look forward to this directors next feature.
Obviously there is a glut in crime drama. You have so many cop shows out there. Law and Order, Special Victims Unit, Murder One. All of these shows play here. It would be easy for this film to be ignored for this reason. But this film succeeds because the material is tough, unflinching, intense and chock full of grit.
Don't watch this if you are into crime fantasy films like 'Red Dragon.' In fact, the makers of that film could learn alot from this director. He truly understands the material and the film feels totally authentic. It also feels totally honest. This is how cops work and how they are. We are not treated to the usual bulls&*% that you get in most Hollywood cop movies. It was very refreshing to see an honest film in this genre.
The film sucks you in from the first moment with an excellently filmed chase scene. This sets up the main protagonist. But what is important here is the energy of the chase scene. Using a minimal amount of shots and a hand-held camera, it is all very visually effective. This scene also underscores the films content. This film has an inherent nastiness. Notice when the fleeing perpetrator sticks needles into an innocent bystander to try and stop the cop chasing him. This illustrates how uncompromising the film is going to be. One worry is that the director will now compromise his films when he makes a film with a higher budget. I hope not! This is fierce film making and another reason why I have not yet given up all hope that good films can still be made on a tight budget.
The major thing that has to be mentioned is the quality of the acting. The acting IS JUST SO GOOD. Ray Liotta is awesome and really captures the role. I am a big fan of Liotta and think he is a very underrated actor. Jason Patric is also awesome and almost redeems himself for being in 'Speed 2.' He could have easily played the same role as in his other cop film, 'Rush.' However, he does not do this and we actually have a character instead of a stereotype. The intensity of the two actors is just breath taking. These two actors really go for it. This is real acting. Ben 'frat boy' Affleck take note. This is not the cliched cop/buddy movie. Both of these of these cops are 'wild-men.' Cops who do what they have to do to catch dangerous criminals. They look and feel like men on the edge. Also, unlike 'Seven,' the older cop/younger cop dichotomy is not played upon obviously. Forget the crap of the 'Lethal Weapon' series. These two cops are different in their methods and thinking but are still as effective as each other. Both characters are developed in a skillful and thoughtful way. The writing of this film is just so well done that I think that some major Hollywood film directors should have to watch this. It is the only way they can learn on how to make a good film.
So many scenes stand out to me. Who knew that Busta Rhymes could act? One of the final scenes where Patric and Liotta argue. It is just PURE INTENSITY. Brilliant acting. See Hollywood! You don't need a big budget! You just need some good actors and a well written story. That last statement is something I keep having to repeat. Forget effects, films are about writing and acting. 'Nuff said.
A film like this that is set in Detroit makes me feel utter contempt towards a film like '8 Mile.' If Eminem had wanted to he could have made a film as raw, honest and brutal as this one. But no! He is just another phony, sell out. Instead he made an escapist urban fairy-tale 'Narc' captures the real Detroit, even though it was actually filmed in Toronto.
The ending of the film has a twist, which I will not reveal but it floored me. You see the director makes you care about these guys. You really feel that cops have a really unpleasant and dangerous job. You also really feel for these guys families and realize how TOUGH this kind of work is. Working undercover is something that I personally would never do, even if I was a cop. I would much prefer to watch.
This is an excellent nights entertainment and I highly recommend it. Especially to all those, who like me love drama that leaves you floored.
10/10
This cop film has no car chases, imagine that, a cop film that doesn't feel the need to prop up its second act by having a car chase. Wonders will never cease. ALL HAIL JOE CARNAHAN!!!
Obviously there is a glut in crime drama. You have so many cop shows out there. Law and Order, Special Victims Unit, Murder One. All of these shows play here. It would be easy for this film to be ignored for this reason. But this film succeeds because the material is tough, unflinching, intense and chock full of grit.
Don't watch this if you are into crime fantasy films like 'Red Dragon.' In fact, the makers of that film could learn alot from this director. He truly understands the material and the film feels totally authentic. It also feels totally honest. This is how cops work and how they are. We are not treated to the usual bulls&*% that you get in most Hollywood cop movies. It was very refreshing to see an honest film in this genre.
The film sucks you in from the first moment with an excellently filmed chase scene. This sets up the main protagonist. But what is important here is the energy of the chase scene. Using a minimal amount of shots and a hand-held camera, it is all very visually effective. This scene also underscores the films content. This film has an inherent nastiness. Notice when the fleeing perpetrator sticks needles into an innocent bystander to try and stop the cop chasing him. This illustrates how uncompromising the film is going to be. One worry is that the director will now compromise his films when he makes a film with a higher budget. I hope not! This is fierce film making and another reason why I have not yet given up all hope that good films can still be made on a tight budget.
The major thing that has to be mentioned is the quality of the acting. The acting IS JUST SO GOOD. Ray Liotta is awesome and really captures the role. I am a big fan of Liotta and think he is a very underrated actor. Jason Patric is also awesome and almost redeems himself for being in 'Speed 2.' He could have easily played the same role as in his other cop film, 'Rush.' However, he does not do this and we actually have a character instead of a stereotype. The intensity of the two actors is just breath taking. These two actors really go for it. This is real acting. Ben 'frat boy' Affleck take note. This is not the cliched cop/buddy movie. Both of these of these cops are 'wild-men.' Cops who do what they have to do to catch dangerous criminals. They look and feel like men on the edge. Also, unlike 'Seven,' the older cop/younger cop dichotomy is not played upon obviously. Forget the crap of the 'Lethal Weapon' series. These two cops are different in their methods and thinking but are still as effective as each other. Both characters are developed in a skillful and thoughtful way. The writing of this film is just so well done that I think that some major Hollywood film directors should have to watch this. It is the only way they can learn on how to make a good film.
So many scenes stand out to me. Who knew that Busta Rhymes could act? One of the final scenes where Patric and Liotta argue. It is just PURE INTENSITY. Brilliant acting. See Hollywood! You don't need a big budget! You just need some good actors and a well written story. That last statement is something I keep having to repeat. Forget effects, films are about writing and acting. 'Nuff said.
A film like this that is set in Detroit makes me feel utter contempt towards a film like '8 Mile.' If Eminem had wanted to he could have made a film as raw, honest and brutal as this one. But no! He is just another phony, sell out. Instead he made an escapist urban fairy-tale 'Narc' captures the real Detroit, even though it was actually filmed in Toronto.
The ending of the film has a twist, which I will not reveal but it floored me. You see the director makes you care about these guys. You really feel that cops have a really unpleasant and dangerous job. You also really feel for these guys families and realize how TOUGH this kind of work is. Working undercover is something that I personally would never do, even if I was a cop. I would much prefer to watch.
This is an excellent nights entertainment and I highly recommend it. Especially to all those, who like me love drama that leaves you floored.
10/10
This cop film has no car chases, imagine that, a cop film that doesn't feel the need to prop up its second act by having a car chase. Wonders will never cease. ALL HAIL JOE CARNAHAN!!!