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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Crimson Rivers is an openly acknowledged French attempt to make a big Hollywood-style serial-killer thriller. Jean--Ronin(1997)--Reno is Niemans, who while investigating the case of a horrifically mutilated body finds himself partnered with Kerkerian, a younger detective played by Vincent Cassell, (La Haine). Set in beautiful mountain country and shot in CinemaScope by Thierry Arbogast (Leon), it looks fabulous. Kassovitz packs the frame with stylish flourishes from a breathtaking helicopter shot in homage to The Shining (1980), to a lavish stairwell tracking shot inspired by Vertigo (1958). With a sumptuously layered score and some superbly achieved special effects The Crimson Rivers has all the expensive sheen of the American movies it imitates. Unfortunately it also proves Europeans can make films as technically accomplished but ludicrously plotted as Hollywood can: for what begins as a tense and unsettling police procedural, mutates into an action movie where the details make no sense. Even the Boys From Brazil inspired plot is ludicrous. Demonstrating Kassovitz has seen plenty of Brian De Palma and Dario Argento movies, The Crimson Rivers entertains despite its own absurdity, and should see the director following Luc Besson to Hollywood to make even bigger and dumber blockbusters.
On the DVD: Despite not being labelled a special edition this two disc set is one of the most impressive releases on DVD this year; all the more remarkable for being a French film barely seen in UK cinemas. The 2.35-1 anamorphically enhanced transfer is virtually flawless while the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is superb. Apart from the original French soundtrack there are English and Spanish dubbed versions, and subtitles in 20 languages (including English and French). The first disc includes three trailers, plus three more for other Columbia releases, and two commentary tracks. The first features Reno, Cassel and Kassovitz--all talking at full speed providing a wealth of information. The second--a commentary by composer Bruno Coulais--offers a real insight into the use of music in film as he explains his approach to specific scenes and his overall philosophy of film scoring. This track also features the score isolated in Dolby Digital 5.1, though Colais does talk over the beginning of some cues.
The second disc contains over two hours of documentary material. First is a serious 52-minute making-of, in which cast and director explain how the film was constantly re-written, going so far as to admit it makes no sense. Further documentaries are on "The Scalpel Scene" (26 min) and the "making of the corpse" (9 min) used in the opening scenes. There is seven minutes on shooting the martial arts fight, with or without commentary, nine minutes on shooting the car chase and a section playing the chase alongside the original storyboards, with or without commentary. A documentary on filming the mountain climax (10 min) and a further documentary on creating a digital avalanche (15 min), plus a multi-angle feature presenting the scene as storyboards, edited rushes, special effects or outtakes. The Production Designer archives (13 min) covers the sets. Additionally there is footage from the Far East promotional tour, a poster gallery, filmographies of Cassel, Reno and Kassovitz, the complete storyboards for four sequences, including the never-filmed originally planned opening and a gallery of on-set still photographs. It's a veritable "how to make a blockbuster" on two shiny discs. --Gary S Dalkin
Synopsis
In a remote university town hidden in the icy coldness of the French Alps, a twisted killer is leaving a trail of tortured bodies to send the world a message.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Jean Reno and Vincent Cassell -- what's not to like? Both actors lift an otherwise inconsistent movie above its natural three-star slot.
The Crimson Rivers is a strange hybrid of Hollywood hyperbole and continental cnic, and the mix can be somewhat confusing. The plot isn't altogether clear -- at least not in the dubbed version. With sub-titles it's easier to follow especially if you can busk some of the French dialogue.
The film's preposterous ending suggests that the producers didn't quite know where to take it; the plot veers from noir detective to X-Files-esque neo-Nazi conspiracy to James Bond blows up the whole shebang at the end.
But hey, we had a good time watching it. There's an enjoyable film in here and a couple of great actors. I'll just echo what others have said: I'd be happy to rent this but a bit less happy if I'd paid 20 notes to own it. This isn't the kind of film you'll come back to watch over and again...
The Crimson Rivers is a strange hybrid of Hollywood hyperbole and continental cnic, and the mix can be somewhat confusing. The plot isn't altogether clear -- at least not in the dubbed version. With sub-titles it's easier to follow especially if you can busk some of the French dialogue.
The film's preposterous ending suggests that the producers didn't quite know where to take it; the plot veers from noir detective to X-Files-esque neo-Nazi conspiracy to James Bond blows up the whole shebang at the end.
But hey, we had a good time watching it. There's an enjoyable film in here and a couple of great actors. I'll just echo what others have said: I'd be happy to rent this but a bit less happy if I'd paid 20 notes to own it. This isn't the kind of film you'll come back to watch over and again...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this film largely because one of the main characters is played by Jean Reno who is a magnificent actor. I didn't really know anything else about it but it proved a worthwhile investment! The plot concerns the investigation of a serial killer, a theme that has been well covered by Hollywood with classics such as "Se7en" and "Righteous Kill" but it's good to see it given such stylish treatment in a European film.
The story itself is almost ridiculously complicated although the clues are all there for those with sharp eyes and ears. But don't worry if concentration is not your thing. Events unfold at a cracking pace and, despite the shock of the graphic crimes portrayed, there are plenty of humourous touches to balance things. All the uniformed cops ("flics") are portrayed as consistently lightweight (if not stupid) whilst the detectives are dogged, macho men who slog their way relentlessly through the epic twists and turns of the plot.
The interplay of the two main characters (Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel) helps to sustain interest throughout the film and Reno in particular illustrates well the tremendous toll that is exacted from anyone who takes on the task of investigating the depths of sheer evil to which human beings can occasionally sink. It's a rough ride, this film, but a journey that you will almost certainly want to make on more than one occasion, having been through it once.
The story itself is almost ridiculously complicated although the clues are all there for those with sharp eyes and ears. But don't worry if concentration is not your thing. Events unfold at a cracking pace and, despite the shock of the graphic crimes portrayed, there are plenty of humourous touches to balance things. All the uniformed cops ("flics") are portrayed as consistently lightweight (if not stupid) whilst the detectives are dogged, macho men who slog their way relentlessly through the epic twists and turns of the plot.
The interplay of the two main characters (Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel) helps to sustain interest throughout the film and Reno in particular illustrates well the tremendous toll that is exacted from anyone who takes on the task of investigating the depths of sheer evil to which human beings can occasionally sink. It's a rough ride, this film, but a journey that you will almost certainly want to make on more than one occasion, having been through it once.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
An interesting movie which has good acting for a change, the movie centers around a perstigious college in France and how people are being killed there. There is a link to the idea of the "Superman" in a philosphy which does make the movie even more intersting than it already is. It is a similar to the movie se7en with murders everywhere and crimson is a good indication of what happens. The two actors do capture the screen Cassel as the young cop and Reno as the experienced one do work very well. But the ending is somewhat of a copp-out which is such a shame. But it still worth a look.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
can you turn up the volume, I can't read the subtitles!!!
This is a film that I enjoy watching every year of two. It features two fantastic actors, Cassel and Reno, in what for them are fairly stereotypical parts. Read more
Published 7 months ago by tallmanbaby
Waste of time!
Good grief, how did this make it past my filters?! Utterly laughable. Full of bits where you'll be going 'oh, come ON! Read more
Published 16 months ago by El Zilcho
Atmospheric and scary thriller which will keep you guessing...
Great story which will keep you guessing until the end, even if some parts do not always ring true. This is a thriller, not a French Art house movie. Read more
Published 21 months ago by cccp
The French touch is touching, maybe touchy
This film was shot in English for the main actors and not dubbed afterwards, or if it was it was by these main actors. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU
The Crimson Rivers
I was very disappointed with this movie especially as it contains two fine french actors in Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by Mr. B. Wilson
Gory but Good
Watched this some time ago and wanted to see Crimson Rivers II, ended up buying both from the Amazon website. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by KJP
Best French Movie I've ever seen!
First and foremost, watch this movie in the original french language, with the English subtitles. This will give you a much better experience, as the English dubbing is not that... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2010 by John Bell
An Excellent French Thriller
Jean Reno plus crime thriller. They are made for each other. Keep them coming.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Published on 24 July 2009 by J. Gould
Beautifully filmed tasty but surprisingly unfulfilling.
I bought this on the general run of modern French cinema movies, starting with Red Riding Hood (very Dark horror), Frontiers (Darker Horror), and the ridiculously priced £2. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2009 by Victor deBs
Best French film ever
Most suspenseful movie I've seen in a long time - and funny! I had no trouble following the story even though it was in French. The actors do a great job.
Published on 25 April 2009 by Kirstine Aaen
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