People think of me as a little too easy on low budget films. But honestly I don't think I am. If there's something there even though it may have missed the mark a bit, I don't count that against it. I count it as part of the experience.
Russ Diaper on the other hand definitely has something here. At a whopping 1 hr. 55 mins., this film never gets boring. It's movies like this that inspire us, the filmmakers, to get out there and film. Of course this film is an obvious parody of all the popular U.S. cop dramas, and while I have never been a fan of any cops in any movies, I found myself riveted by this film. I liked and disliked Dennison throughout the film but I admired him for his inability to ever step down. I also admire the use of very cleverly placed flashbacks to give an even further back story into the main character and other people around him, making you realize further that no one is innocent. The thing I admired most about this movie were the characters. Not a single annoying one in sight. I didn't want anyone, hell, even the bad guys, to die. You kinda rooted for each character in one sense or another. That can be a good thing or a bad thing but to me it was good. Even the most despicable characters had a likable side to them making them more human.
I've viewed many of Russ Diaper's earlier short films and I liked them for what they were. Very effective, atmospheric pieces made on a next to nothing budget. It's also films like this that make a budget nearly useless as long as you have the resources at hand.
The camera work is the star of this movie, not just the actual stars. There was always something in the frame, no matter how minor it is that always struck my eye. Very good for a first time feature length film director. The uses of camera tricks were very clever, also. The use of very well placed, but still very new to the director, CGI did not take me out of the movie considering it was very brief.
Now, about the mysterious villain, forgive me it's been a while since I viewed this film, and his mysterious identity. That had to be one of the most shocking, but yet still very predictable, moments of the whole film. The buildup to the reveal alone was what drew you in.
All in all I believe this film could not have been done any better. It was a very good first time effort. I definitely cannot wait to see what Russ Diaper has up his sleeve next.
My score: 4/5
