(2000)
2.5
Jason Clark
A mock-documentary look at a ruthlessly violent cult figure in Australia, this intensely bloody and raucous but curiously uneventful feature reiterates much of what movies have been saying for years about the unlikely appeal of murderers who become celebrity folklore, but sheds very little new light on the matter. Directed by Andrew Dominik in a bleached-out, stark manner reminiscent of Guy Ritchie's recent oeuvre, the film has style to burn but fails to answer the question of why the lead character should warrant such close inspection. Eric Bana, whose downturned scowl and imposing physique add credibility, is stranded by the movie's familiar tone and the filmmakers' inability to get inside the head of its main character at the most opportune times. As a result, the film rings hollow and is likely to put off those seeking thematic elements that create a succinct tale, instead using graphic violence to fill in the gaps. Bana gained over 40 pounds for the role, his debut lead after a career in stand-up comedy in his native Australia.
Chopper on AllMovie
Chopper (2000)
