Blah, blah, blah…

Let’s just get on with it shall we..

With enough Goddamns, bloodshed and gunfire to put a Cathedral of pastors in a coma this film delivers all that you think it ought to originating as it does from the early nineties. Enjoyable enough there are however some shots and sequences that some can’t help but notice as a tad cardboard, the fight scenes are exactly what one might expect from a Hollywood affair rather predictable and over chereographed though sprinkled (in part) with homage to Lee senior. But, there’s eventually a happy ending. All that plus Powers Boothe and Brandon Lee in one of his last cinematic appearances before his controversial exit from this plane of existence. In short an enjoyable foray into American crime/action cinema though nothing groundbreaking in terms of its overused drug cartel/dirty cop storyline.

I’ve often pondered upon how bad this would be, being as it is a remake of a Danish film with the same title released only a few years earlier. I decided finally enough was enough, I’d ‘take one for the team’ so I hit play.

Admittedly it’s been more than a few years since I’ve witnessed the outstanding original so I’ll refrain from a scene by scene comparison though I feel it’s here that I should mention that the original director took the helm on this one also. News to me but this wasn’t the first of the many surprises the movie had in store.

Nightwatch is good, surprisingly so. Evan – Obe Wan Kenobi – McGregor portrays a puzzled college student who’s finding his new job rather unsettling, and he thought it was gonna be easy, to say the least. He hasn’t only got his unpredictable, thrill seeking friend, Josh Brolin, to contend with but also that he’s, somehow, being framed for a string of grisly murders which are plaguing the community and monopolyzing the cable news networks. Nick Nolte shows up as an intense, oddball, detective and the cast is rounded off with Lauren Graham (Rory from the long running series The Gilmore Girls) and  Brad Dourif who hardly needs an introduction, although for some reason I always seem to get his name confused with the fellow from Blade (Stephen Dorff).

Nightwatch is especially easy to watch, it boasts likable characters and an enjoyable pace that whips itself into a delicous frenzy as the finale nears. The atmosphere is highly effective complemented by a fantastic tension intensifying score, well executed direction throughout and commendable acting all round.

All in all this is a very enjoyable feature that delivers and one I’ll recommend without reservations. I honestly never thought I’d say this as this is a remake. However, as it’s handled by its original creative forces it doesn’t appear to be weakened by Hollywood vultures out for merely a few dollars and notoriety. I will state however, if SUBS don’t bother you in the least bit seek out the original it’s a remarkable feat for both it’s excellent vibe, shock value and that it’s utterly translatable from the Danish culture (is it really that different, they have pretty castles and sugary cookies in square Xmas themed tins, from the one in which we all reside?)

Quite unlike any other western you’re likely to set your senses upon Renegade offers a lot to like. Of course there are obligatory gun scenes, vendettas and plenty of conflict between the ‘white man’ and the natives that so often fuel a western there’s also eye widening shots of the desert landscape but there’s so much more. Renegade delves into another perspective, which many westerns ignore, the life of the natives (aka ‘Indians’) and the importance of spirit animals. The film offers insight into a wholly different set of beliefs and sports several scenes that will make you wonder what it is that you’re being entranced by, as they certainly aren’t the kind usually boasted by the type of film in the same genre as this.

Micheal Madsen (who DIAG deemed the winner of its coveted Whole Hog award of 17′), Eddie Izzard (yes, the cross dressing UK comedian) Vincent Cassell and Juillette Lewis (who looks great throughout but altogether stunning underwater, you’ll know exactly what I mean if you watch this towards its final moments) round out a cast that drive a movie you won’t soon be able to forget. Applaudable camera techniques, location shots and direction skyrocket Renegade into a film that’s wholly unforgettable, especially in the genre in which it resides.

Keep an open mind and you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.