Rebel Ridge

Sejian 9/7/2024 2:17:03AM 8.4

Unless I'm mistaken, John Boyega was supposed to have the lead role in this but it went to Aaron Pierre instead. I'm glad he got the role cause I really liked him in it. I hope we get him in more action roles in the future. There are three things I quite liked in this, besides the action: 1. We know this guy is meant to be an ex-marine because of the tagline but they make it seem like he's into some shady shit at the beginning of the movie, and no, I don't mean when he was detained at the very start. It was fun. 2. Being a woke AF anti-theist (that's someone opposed to organized religion) I really liked the line: "I don't know enough about the afterlife to trust in it, so while I'm here, [...] I gotta haunt these motherfuckers myself." That line was hard. 3. The ending. They were building up to it throughout various scenes and I enjoyed watching it play out. I hope that was sufficiently vague enough to not spoil it. I initially rated this 8 stars with a favorite, but to offset those irrational 1 star ratings, I'm gonna give it 10. I can understand 5 stars and up, but I can't understand 2 and 1. I'm not a film critic and I'm not racist. I'm just someone who enjoys movies.

r96sk 9/21/2024 11:27:21AM 8.4

Brilliant! I think I had seen that <em>'Rebel Ridge'</em> was one of the most watched (?) movies on Netflix recently, though you never really know what to expect with that because viewership doesn't necessarily equal greatness (I think <em>'The Wrong Missy'</em> *shudder* had the same thing). I am pleased to say, though, that this is great. I enjoyed every bit. It has an excellent cast, an engaging and well written plot, some pleasing sequences and a nice score. This is the first time I've ever seen Aaron Pierre act and I'm seriously impressed, also didn't even realise he was a fellow Englishman until post-watch. Hope to see much more of him! Away from Pierre, Don Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb are very good.

Mister BLAQK 9/9/2024 2:56:17PM 8.4

At its core, Rebel Ridge is a familiar story: a lone hero against a corrupt system. Yet, Saulnier's deft direction and a strong, well-developed narrative set this film apart. The film begins with a seemingly simple premise: a former Marine, Jeremiah Carter (Pierre), returns to his hometown to help his cousin post bail. However, a series of unfortunate events leads to a confrontation with the local police department, which quickly escalates into a full-blown rebellion against the town's corrupt power structure. Pierre delivers a tour-de-force performance as Jeremiah Carter. His portrayal of a man driven to desperation by injustice is both powerful and heartbreaking. Carter is a complex character, a man haunted by his past who is forced to confront the darkness within himself to protect those he loves. Pierre's physicality and intensity are matched only by his ability to convey a deep emotional vulnerability. Rebel Ridge is a film that feels incredibly timely. The themes of police brutality, systemic racism, and the abuse of power are explored with a raw honesty that is both disturbing and cathartic. Saulnier's direction is unflinching, capturing the violence and brutality of the film's world without resorting to gratuitous gore. While the film's pacing may feel a bit uneven at times, the final act is a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. The film's climax is a tense and suspenseful showdown that has you on the edge of your seat. The film's ending is both hopeful and tragic, a bittersweet reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit. Rebel Ridge is a powerful and thought-provoking film that deserves to be seen. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Aaron Pierre's performance is nothing short of extraordinary, and Jeremy Saulnier's direction is masterful. If you are a fan of gritty thrillers with a strong social message, Rebel Ridge is a must-see.