User reviews

I just read about how this didn't get a theatrical release because it was too long, these suits have no vision. So happy this director trusted his vision enough to not let it be butchered by the studio. I would have loved to see this in theaters.

I think the pacing was awesome. Some people are saying it was too slow but I think the time it took to get us more indepth with each character paid off. If you really enjoy a good film and don't need action packed explosions to keep your attention, you will really appreciate this film.

I am now a fan of this writer/director as I don't find many who get it right. Often these writer/director films go off kilter and don't have the right checks and balances. This guy should be given the steering wheel more often and trusted whole heartedly by the studios.

Another brutal film by director Zahler. He made a film again in his own style and with his own signature. It's also a great movie. At first, the film lasts too long and it seems to me that some scenes could have been shorter or cut out of the film, especially in the first hour or so. However, everything will be paid later. The story is not at all simple, there are a lot of characters and most of them have a good background and developed characteristics so that we can understand their choices. The film has several unexpected decisions, and I like that when the film is not predictable. Some really brutal and tense scenes in the last third of the movie. I can't understand the various criticisms of this film, the film follows some well-known rules, it looks very fresh and original. In addition, I have to praise Mel Gibson, one of his better roles, especially lately.

The reviews on here are more polarised than I think I've seen before. So which is it - a low scoring film worth 3/10 or less, or a film worthy of 7/10 or more? I think it is the latter. The current IMDB average of 7/10 seems about right. It is not perfect but it is very good. The answer for you depends on what you are like and what you are prepared to bring to it.

My aim in writing a review was to try and give ways to separate the one-out-of-tenners from the high scorers so you can tell if you want to give it 150+ minutes of your time. Here goes.... If you love the 10+ minute scene of a gunman trapping a fly in his gun at the start of Once Upon a Time in the West, give this a try. If it drove you nuts, don't. If you've ever enjoyed an early Takeshi Kitano (a master of underacting) and the inactivity as well as cinematic poetry are enjoyable to you, and the flare ups of sudden violence are acceptable to you, give this a try. If you often watch a film with your phone in your hand and your attention split - just don't bother with this. If you always need fast-paced action, shouting, loud music and overacting this is not for you and you will end up with a rating of less than 3 or 4. If your cinema diet is mainly fast, loud blockbusters, don't bother with this. This is not for those that need the film to constantly poke at them to keep them engaged. If you are one of them then just move on to another film. Don't waste your time. A lot of the one star reviews basically just say nothing more than "boring", "slow" or "worst film ever." They say nothing about the film unless you know the reviewer. Do people really mark films down for "moral ambiguity" or because some questionable characters do ok and don't get their come-uppance? Come on! It's not a fairy tale - the world is not fair. This film rewards concentration. It is dark (visually and in tone) but even has some quiet humour. If you appreciate some of the more subtle or poetic films that are not afraid to be understated with their acting and sparing with their action give it a try.

I am no great fan of Mel Gibson. He probably peaked with Mad Max for me as far as enjoyment of his films. Vince Vaughn is growing on me but I would have avoided him completely not too long ago. There is certainly no star loyalty inflating my score here. The film is languorous at times. It lingers. Deliberately. The camera is almost fixed for each scene which feels like it is deliberate as well - your eyes get time to explore. It is not as poetic and metaphor-laden as Kitano but it is very nicely visually put together and immerses you in the world the director has built. The lighting and pace fit and are cohesive and consistent with the world of the film. The lack of soundtrack is quite stark - the only music during the film is from characters' car stereos. There is no flashiness or gimmickry. Relative to most films there is a lack of close-ups or zooms. The runtime was not an issue for me - there is not much padding out. It could probably have a light trim without losing much. It has the pace and character focus of a good quality TV mini-series (maybe 3 episodes) and if it was one I suspect people would accept it more. It is not typical of the films we seem to generally be served up. And that is a good thing for me.

Hopefully this may guide you on whether you should align yourself with the 1 stars or the 7+ stars..... before you watch and invest 2.5 hours. Enjoy. Or avoid.

...from writer-director S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99). Various characters are on a collision course, including a pair of suspended cops (Mel Gibson & Vince Vaughn), an ex-con (Tory Kittles) and his brother (Michael Jai White), and a mysterious European (Thomas Krestchmann), as they all seek a big pay-out from a heist.

Zahler takes his sweet time developing characters before the big event goes down, as the heist doesn't occur until around the 90 minute mark in this 158 minute film. The dialogue is sharp and often funny, and the characters are all fully drawn. The performances are very good, with Gibson and Kittles the stand-outs. There are a few surprising moments, as well as the over-the-top ultra-violence that is a Zahler hallmark, although this one is less gory than his previous efforts. The film looks more professional, as well, with good, atmospheric cinematography. Recommended to fans of crime films and noir, but only if they have the patience for a slow build-up.

S. Craig Zahler films are a genre onto themselves. Much like Woody Allen or David Lynch movies. So keep that in mind.

Admitted, it's not one of his best, and about 30 mins too long, but it's an anti-hero story.

Characters like this exist in our world. Real life problems are a part of this movie too. Unfortunately, like life, theres not always a happy Hollywood ending.

I enjoyed this movie. Then again, I enjoy S. Craig Zahler's style of story telling

Hadn't heard anything about this film before it came up on my Netflix. When I saw the 2 hour and 39 minute runtime I almost took a pass on the film. I'm so glad I didn't. Honestly, once the film started I was drawn into the story by the characters and the acting. The characters are well developed and the acting is solid. Really interesting pairing of Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, they work brilliantly opposite each other as do Michael Jai White and Tory Kittles. The dialogue reminded me of Quentin Tarantino. Though I really enjoyed the film, It is extremely slow paced and it could have used some more editing but over all this film is worth watching.

This is an usual movie. It has a crime noir feel, although not sure it is crime noir. It has a True Detective feel in a movie formate. There are some strange , noticeable pacing choices in this movie that intrigued me- like the interest in food consumption. It is a crime drama with some intersecting stories and a stellar cast. Vince Vaughn and Mel Gibson play suspended Detectives looking to improve their fortunes. They are definitely imperfect, but not as imperfect as their roles and accusations may seem. Michael Jai White and Tory Kittles play hard up criminals also seeking to improve their fortunes. Obviously those two paths cross. There is more here. There is a subplot that makes this more interesting and complicated. The Direction is unusual-as I said the pacing is very deliberate. The cast and performances are the strength of this one, even by the minor characters. There is a through line of humanity and struggle in this one. This is worth seeing but do not be fooled-it is a crime movie, not really an action one.

This film is a difficult watch for the first half. There are many who may even say it is boring, tedious and laborious. And I would be one of them. And yes, perhaps some scenes could have been quickened up and other scenes re-shot to give the opening half of the film more pace.

Having said that, this was unquestionably a serious character-driven film that had many sad and serious undertones but also welcome moments of light humour. I believe this was absolutely deliberate by a very out-there and intelligent director who brought an initially slow script to life and copperfastened by excellent acting throughout, particularly from Gibson and Vaughn.

For me, it is the real-life questions that are asked of us, the viewer, not during this excellent film, but long afterwards, that mark this film out from many others which have considerable less impact.

I would most definitely recommend this film as an excellent watch. But you will need to pass the endurance test of the first half or so, and then you will get your reward over the second half.

No way near the negative reviews...something kept you hanging on to it and you get to know the characters.... interesting to also include 2 German known actors....liked it....unusual movie these days...and like someone said...it's a movie movie where you have to put time in it....enjoy...

I watched the first one hour and it could have been done in ten minutes. This is just pitifully dull, I don't understand why people make movies like this. It's just awful.

I'd you like derivative, stupid buddy buddy cop thrillers that's are loud with slam editing like the obnoxious Fast and Furious movies, then this movie is NOT for you! It is an uncompromising gritty movie that lets the audience e make up its own mind about morality. It is unflinching and disturbing. It is unsentimental and dark. It is brilliant

"It's bad for you, it's bad for me, it's bad like lasagna in a can." Anthony (Vince Vaughn)

Writer/director S. Craig Zahler blew me away with Bone Tomahawk, as eccentric a western as ever made. In Dragged Across Concrete his two white, male suspended-cops' (Anthony and Brett, played convincingly by Mel Gibson) heist takes a more traditional path but has dialogue continually as crisp as my headliner, though decidedly less explosive and ironic than Tarantino's Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs.

Although you may think you have seen this gritty and yet mellow thriller before, Zahler has expertly and innovatively conducted us through an eccentric but dangerous underworld of robbery and treachery. I suspect in real life the double-dealing happens more than we would guess.

Two-handed dialogue, ala Tarantino, about fast food and family, for both the two protagonists and the bad guys, alternates between the mundane and the philosophical, anchovies, and murder. Although conversation is not as caustic as that of Tarantino's loveable crooks, the wordplay rings truer about daily living, even for those involved in robbery and murder.

The wonder of this heist is that we get to know even the bad guys, Russian and Latino, as the director keeps the camera steady on two crooks driving the getaway van and talking about family and the growing danger of the robbery. Or getting to know a victim through an extended visit to her paranoia about leaving her apartment and child for numbing work at the targeted bank. Fate will decide her future, and we are the more empathetic for having spent time with her.

Dragged Across Concrete fulfills the promise of its hard-edged title: its heist is memorable, multifaceted, and microscopically treated as if we were in the planning and execution. Along the way there's humor to lighten the death-threatening caper.

Brett catches the ambivalent crime-stopping the two are indicted for: "And it turns out that sh-t's more important than good, honest work." This is a good, honest heist film about characters not so good or honest but interesting nonetheless.

Bone tomahawk and Brawl in Cell Block 99 are good movies but this is the worst, too slow and boring.

Let me just start by saying I can entirely understand why the reviews of this movie are so mixed. Some people think it's a drag to watch due to the run time and slow build up, while others think it's a work of art all the way through.

While I agree more with the latter, I'd be lying if I said the first half of the movie is a perfect 10. The dialogue is stellar throughout, but that's not enough to carry a thriller by itself. We're here for the plot. Something that puts the foot on the gas and doesn't let up until the credits start rolling.

With that said, Dragged Across Concrete is easily the most blood pumping film that I have ever seen. Once you give this movie time to fully kick into gear, it will put you on the edge of your seat and won't give you a single second to breathe.

By the time it's over you'll understand why Zahler slowly built up the main event that happens in the last 50-60 minutes, which will without a doubt glue your eyes to the screen and put you on your toes in the most enjoyable way a movie can.

If you're a fan of thrillers like No Country For Old Men, The Departed, or Reservoir Dogs, you'll think Dragged Across Concrete is an absolute knockout that'll have you wanting more from S Craig Zahler.

A lot of comments from critics involve the slow pacing of the movie. This is true. However, the acting, conversations and the storyline made this very watchable for me. Solid movie for a saturday night. Mel Gibson still has it!

I have a thing for these classical crime dramas with Jean Gabin and Alain Delon. Either as partners or opponents, such as cop against criminal, criminal against criminal or cop against corrupt cop. Vince Vaughn, as he always does, is doing a great job. Looks like these two will not make me look for B&W French crimis of the 60s for today.

I haven't stopped thinking about this film since I watched it randomly the other week on Netflix. I had skim read reviews on here prior and saw lots complaining about the length and how slow it was. However, I thought I'd make my own mind up. I found the pace really authentic. The character development was brilliant. At first I did find the constant unnatural one liner back and forth dialogue between the two protagonists forced. But it is forgotten by the brilliant storyline. This film really takes you on a trip, it'll make you feel all sorts of emotions which is what makes a good film in my opinion. This film turned out to be one of the best films I've seen in years. And it will be one I watch again. I think the issues with length and taking offense from the film are generational. And that's reflected in the reviews. Definitely.

This is not a standard buddy buddy cop film.

While the career criminal role is very evident, & 2 cops + crimes are front and centre, they serve a wider commentary on USA Society & where it's heading:- USA's addiction to money, the drivers to acquire it, of lives in poverty and desperation if you don't have much, and attitudes to crime if that is your only way to get enough.

So relax, enjoy the ride and let it take your thoughts to a deeper place to reflect on necessity vs deliberate choice, and morality vs lawfulness.

Can we be as free & happy as. Say, a lion cub, who has nothing? Must we grow to be a predator and a killer of men?

Anyone who saw S. Craig Zahler's directorial debut Bone Tomahawk knows what a remarkable talent he is as a filmmaker. His ability to build tension and invoke anticipation through his storytelling is unique. His talent is somewhat reminiscent of that of J. C. Chandor, although Zahler's films are more hard-hitting and pessimistic. In his latest film Dragged Across Concrete, his view on the state of affairs in modern day United States is grim, perhaps even cynical, but he argues darned well for his stance, and the film should definitely evoke reflection in everyone who watches it. The first half of the film is absolutely riveting. It's a showcase for almost everything that good movie storytelling can offer: There are complex characters and relations, there is segment upon segment which take on a life of their own and tell a separate little story, and there is that looming atmosphere which we all remember from Tomahawk. Add to that the cohesion of it all and how Zahler's script ties in and ultimately makes the sum of all its parts seem larger and more intelligent. Eventually, the crime plot comes into full play, and one could make an argument that it is not as innovative as everything else Zahler has to offer here. But there's also a poetic side to the banal hopelessness of the final predicament; as if the conclusion of it all was inevitable not for lack of ingenuity in the writing, but simply because of the nature of these characters and the society that shaped them.

I was surprised It was so well done. I am a movie connoisseur and highly recommend this movie to all who like cops and robbers movies. All are not bad they just have made some choices in life that others would have not. It was not what I expected.

I'll make this quick. For the first hour of this movie I wouldn't say it was bad I guess it qualifies as a slow burn because the dialogue was witty and the actors are supreme but it was undoubtedly teetering on boring and after seeing a lifetime of a thousand movies you lose hope that things will turn around and become epic. Low and behold "Dragged Across Concrete" is the epitome of that kind of film and as you think back on the time it spent building backstory you become appreciative of that time spent. It's well choreographed and directed and events happen in the blink of an eye which amplifies the moments many will feel are quite disturbing. All in all it's not apologetic when dealing with race or degrading gender but it's a film that will be on a short list of classics that are memorable and well received. These are films worth paying for and it's a tragedy their not promoted like most Hollywood duds.

I cannot understand how people give this 1 star. I really enjoyed this movie.

What a waist of time! Awfully slowly storytelling, unnecessary violence, it was a torture!