Resurrection Man

Stylishly shot, but predictable, woefully under-developed script with patchy performances other than the compelling lead male actor. Seems to believe it's about violence, but incoherent story and directorial approach to the ultra violence the film purports to explore, results in triple X rated pop video. Not just bad, but stupid on quite a deep level.

Anyone who is familiar with the case of the Shankill Butchers should know that this movie is a travesty, and a disgrace to the victims and their families, and to everyone in Northern Ireland, regardless of their background. 99% fiction with 1% truth. The fact that the writer/director is cashing in on such a horrible era of brutality is almost as shameful as the pathetic popcorn-entertainment we've been subjected to with this movie.

"Artistic license" has been stretched to the point of snapping with this director. If you have an interest in history and the story of the Northern Irish troubles, this movie ain't for you.

Read Martin Dillon's book on the subject, "The Shankill Butchers", for a real insight into the events. I also urge you to try and get your hands on "Lost Lives", a book chronicling every death as a result of the N. Irish troubles from 1968 to 1999.

Failing that, here is Wikipedia's entry on the Butchers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankill_Butchers

I found this film to be both disgusting and insulting on every level. 'The Troubles', generally, do not make good subject matter for a movie (just look at 'The Devil's Own') but this is far worse than just a perversion of the truth. The killings in the film are glamorized as 'Pulp Fiction'-type sadism and the sectarian element is embarrassingly brushed aside. The film contains little element of 'gritty realism' (the locations look nothing like Belfast -it was shot in England), the performances and the script are dreadful, and the film never seems to know where it is going, or even why this tale is worth telling! In terms of politics,it is much to close to the bone but even without the Irish element it is a terrible film which thinks far to highly of itself. Exactly what are we supposed to feel for the lead character (he is given no redeeming qualities) and what are we supposed to take away from this film? Stuart Townsend's performance is one of the most insulting I've seen. He plays with the audience knowingly, as if he feels he has our respect and awe.My writing may seem garbled but truthfully I do consider myself a just film critic : that said, I consider this to be one of the worst films I've ever seen. Garbage.

If you didn't press stop on your video recorder five minutes into this film due to the shocking nature of some of the opening scenes, you will discover that this is a beautiful film which has more in common with 'Interview With The Vampire', 'The Company Of Wolves', 'Brighton Rock' and 'Frankenstein' than it does with a film about sectarian violence.

Despite the book on which this was based, sectarian violence just provides an underlying base to stage this tale of the vampire like 'Victor Kelly', a young Irishman with a thirst for blood, fame and self destruction.

Stuart Townsend epitomizes evil in the role of Victor, supported by many talented actors.

The evil staring eyes of Victor Kelly, will stay with you long after watching the film. Perhaps this is why Stuart Townsend has been cast in the latest Anne Rice adaption.

Making a film about any conflict is ambitious but making one during a conflict is even more so. This film tactfully tackles the story of the Shankill Butchers a gang that mindlessly slaughtered innocent civilians and got away with it because it was during the Troubles. Strong performances from O'Rawe and Fricker in creating authentic Belfast dialogue. Townsend is sensational as as Victor and Holmes music is as good as its gets - long love SugarSweet...! If this production had the same budget as Goodfellows I shudder to think how good it could have been. Open your mind and imagine what it was like to live in a western street in 1970 with the army running down it and bombs going off.