As you know, man is the most dangerous predator, but this does not mean that in any collision he is guaranteed a painless victory. For example, he can meet his own worthy adversary or lose to nature. In the history of the film industry, there are many films that play different scenarios of such confrontations - realistic and tragic, fantastic and comic. Among deserving special attention two projects with the same subtitle - “Fight”.
Crime saga
Famous Hollywood stars Al Pacino and Robert de Niro first worked together during the creation of “The Godfather 2”. But in this wonderful picture there is not one of their joint appearances in the frame. And only 20 years later, the actors met in the exciting and deep criminal drama of 1995, “The Struggle”.
Reviews of the film are positioned as a genre masterpiece, its IMDb rating: 8.20. Directed by director Michael Mann.
In the center of the narrative is the confrontation between the legendary Los Angeles criminal Nick McCauley and the best detective Vincent Hannah. Heroes have to converge against each other in a deadly battle. At first glance, the story that formed the basis of the film is not new and even banal. However, according to the critics' verdict, the verified script, first-rate directing and author's interpretation of events made the tape a masterpiece.
Dostoevsky’s novel on the big screen
In almost all reviews of the movie "Struggle," reviewers praise the director for writing a script that humanizes all the defendants, main and secondary. Usually criminal pictures humanize the protagonists and demonize the antagonists, but Mann tried to emphasize that every character in his tape is someone's husband, son, father, brother or lover. Therefore, he turned out not so much a criminal drama as a real criminal tragedy. According to reviews of the movie "Controversy" written by ordinary townsfolk, everyone leaving the cinema was not happy that the villain received a bullet. After watching, the audience complained that fate was cruel, and men who could be friends fight and kill each other.
In addition to positive audience reviews, the movie “Fight” received praise from professional critics. Cinema experts highly appreciated the picture, called it a model in a mixture of the genres of criminal thriller and psychological drama. Contributing authors in the media praised Mann’s screenwriting and production skills, the amazing work of actors and directors of action scenes.
Acting Ensemble
Al Pacino and Robert de Niro - the main actors of the movie "Fight", were approved for the role immediately, no other candidates were considered. Their invitation was a key, but by no means the only significant casting decision. The images of novice gangster Chris Sheherlis and his wife Charlene embodied Val Kilmer and Ashley Judd. Val Kilmer managed to combine filming in "Fight" and "Batman Forever." The members of the McCauley gang were played by charismatic and colorful actors Tom Sizemore and Danny Trejo. In addition to them, William Fichtner, Kevin Gage, Mikelti Williamson, Diane Venora, Ted Levin, Natalie Portman and Wes Studi took part in the creation of the tape. All performers were deeply inspired by the idea, imbued with material, consulted with criminals and police.
Snow thriller
In the project “Fight” (2011), directed by Joe Carnahan, based on the story of Ian Jeffers “The Phantom Walker”, a group of stern men are forced to survive in extreme conditions.
In general, the plot of the film "Fight" is about the confrontation between man and nature. The story begins with the crash of an airplane transporting oil workers in a remote area of ​​Alaska. Survivors fall on a deserted snow-covered plain, where the temperature reaches minus thirty, and hungry wolves are waiting for an opportunity. People unite around seasoned hunter John Ottaway and set off to seek salvation. Due to insignificant scenes of violence and anxiety, the picture received an age limit - R. The film reviews are diametrically opposed, IMDb rating: 6.80.
Games with genres
According to cinema experts, the tape is built on the patterns of a high-quality slasher, because the heroes, having entered uncharted territory, die one after another. In this brainchild, Joe Carnahan surpasses many sound representatives of the genre. The charisma of the characters, Liam Neeson’s special main actor in the movie “Fight”, is doing its job. The viewer recognizes each of them so much that he feels genuine sympathy and pity when the time comes. Among the indisputable advantages of the thriller unobtrusive, but really cruel naturalism.
According to the authors of the reviews, the Karnakhan project takes the atmosphere so strongly that the beholder begins to feel unbearable cold and animal fear of a pack of wolves along with the heroes. The author pays special attention to the humanization of his characters, introducing intimate conversations around the campfire into the plot, admiring the beauties of nature, nervous breakdowns. Although this technique significantly slows down the action, it stretches the timing.
Ambiguous impression
Many reviewers agree that the “Struggle” (2011) causes a feeling of some doneness. Heroes change locations, overcome obstacles, leave one after another. This is a rare case when "done" is not a disadvantage. The author's flair leads the audience precisely to emotions. The ending of the thriller is ambiguous and at the same time ambiguous. Closer to the finale, hopelessness envelops the beholder in dense veils, hopelessness settles inside, and when the hero of Liam Neeson turns fiercely to God, it is not clear whether to reproach him for blasphemy or to take the side of a desperate man. The finale of the tape leaves in a slight confusion, while the viewer does not feel cheated.