Ellenségek

Ahhoz képest, hogy a film milyen átgondoltan boncolgatja minden szereplő érzését, eléggé alábecsüli Bale karakterének a főnökhöz való közelségének ábrázolásának fontosságát, ami a történet expozíciója szempontjából kulcsfontosságú. Ennek oka a végső vágás lehet, amelynek az volt a célja, hogy a filmet a játékidő lerövidítésével szélesebb közönség számára is elérhetővé tegyék. Én az első harmadból első félidőt csinálnék, és 150 percre nyújtanám a film idejét. Valójában az Ellenségek annyira lebilincselő, érzelmes, pszichológiailag és szellemileg is magával ragadó, hogy talán az évtized (anti)westernje is lehetne, amely a műfaj összes kisöccse közül a legpontosabban ábrázolja az amerikai történelemnek azt a bizonyos fucked-up időszakát. Minden perc a veszteség, a szenvedés és a bánat intenzív testamentuma. (2018.08.08)

The first cinema experience of the year. Scott Cooper serves up a gritty adventure western with the Apache! Starring a solid Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike and Ben Foster. The film has a slower pace, but a very tense atmosphere, beautiful scenery, lots of disgusting maniacal Apaches who have no problem murdering an entire family and their children (the opening scene is very intense) and a great soundtrack. There are only four action scenes, but they are authentically filmed, with excellent sound design and very tense to the point of being breathless. This dead genre has been slowly reviving and gaining momentum for the last two years and that's only a good thing. 75% (2018.01.16)

The premise gave me a feeling that this would be one of the best Hollywood experiences. And it really was. It has exactly everything is should and nothing more, nothing less. Christian Bale and Wes Studi greatly portray the best warriors of their respective sides and as destiny has planned, at the end of their lives they meet again just so one of them can carry the other home. And it is done on the President’s order. Brutal bloody scenes, unbelievably strong emotions, characters you pity, the darkness in their minds you can’t understand and the scenes you won’t forget. Undoubtedly a great experience and the last scene is probably the most beautiful and poetic movie ending I have seen in years. (2020.10.07)

A wonderful story by the sensitive Scott Cooper. Minimalistically served, modestly presented but profound in its message. The moments of silence, thoughtfully spoken dialogue and knowing glances were more engaging for me than the scenes of horror and violence, which also have their place. I can see why this flopped in theaters, in this day and age of superhero Marvel and DC dreck, this old-school style of narrative is out of place with 99% of today's film output. And I understand why Christian Bale wants to make films like this, and I thank him for that and wish him well in his future film career. (2018.06.11)

Nontraditional western with almost philosophical contemplations about death. Mainly about the death of loved ones. In his role of a mumbling captain, Bale caught the right wave again, his torn soul shining in his eyes. In her supporting role, Rosamund Pike skillfully steals the strongest scenes for herself e.g. with the sleeping children and shooting the corpse. A story wrapped inside an almost ironical pilgrimage towards death also boasts amazing visuals. There could be more of Foster, he makes just a fleeting appearance. I was just doing my job. (2018.07.20)