spocktom
I understand the rage people might feel if the justice system lets them down...if legal technicalities let an offender walk free from court or a rapist is not convicted because there is no material evidence. This film deals with an even more controversial area of pedophilia and the main character, John Doe, makes it his life's work to execute as many pedophiles and child killers as possible.Now most of us would cheer his actions, being that pedophiles are the lowest of the low in terms of human society but the film challenges us to think of the whole legal system as a total failure unable to dispense true justice and that the only true justice comes at the hands of vigilantes. To me and I bet many others this is dangerous territory. Once you start to disassemble our legal system...once you have no jury system...no rules of evidence...no procedural rules you are left with lynch mobs and kangaroo courts where an accusation is enough to see one hanged. This puts us one step away from savagery where anyone could make an accusation and a group could just decide to do you in without any real evidence at all. That's not the type of world I would like to live in because not only would justice cease to exist but democracy as well. So before you all choose the cheer the protagonist on in this movie think about what the director/writer seems to be advocating... a world without an organised police force or legal system. Is that what you really want?
mmawilkinson82
First off I would like to say that I found this film by accident. I was trawling YouTube watching movie trailers and John Doe:Vigilante was in the associated videos section of another I was watching. After seeing the trailer, I decided I had to watch the film so here we are! John Doe:Vigilante tells the story of arrested vigilante serial killer John Doe who sets up an exclusive interview with journalist Ken Rutherford to get his side of the story across. The film flicks back and forth between the interview, John's back-story and the murders themselves to brilliant effect. We get to experience the build-up and reasoning behind each murder and John himself then explains. Jamie Bamber certainly has an air of mystery and sinister to him and his portrayal of an ordinary man driven to extraordinary lengths to protect the citizens of Australia from the failing justice system is nothing short of superb.I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout and only when the credits appeared could I stop biting my nails. The tension builds and builds, particularly in the final third where we find out the whole truth behind John's vigilante killings and the final twist is nothing short of shocking. I honestly did not see it coming and for anyone who has not seen the film - the twist is no "Sixth Sense" style twist that you get hints about. Instead for about ten minutes after the film I was still digesting what I had seen - it hit me for six.Director Kelly Dolan and writer Stephen M Coates should be proud of John Doe:Vigilante because it neatly side-steps traditional revenge clichés and instead with the final payoff delivers a hard hitting message.A wonderful film that I will watch again because it was just that good.
jamesthomas7
I randomly came across this movie and after seeing an over 6 rating on here thought i'd give it a go. Well I'm glad I did! It's a unique film centred around a captured vigilante being interviewed while we see what he did through flashbacks. It works perfectly, the acting is top notch, performances on the money and it really does make you think how bad the justice system has become. I'm really impressed with this, picture was crystal clear, sound was perfect too, this wasn't a low budget type sounding like it was filmed in the toilet with amateur performances like you often get with these small releases. The violence is very realistic, hard hitting and brutal in places but it serves the story well. Check it out, nice little twist before the end too.
mkrpark
I get tired of Hollywood blockbusters---the car chases, explosions with the hero calmly walking away, unflinchingly and one man armies do the impossible---taking on dozens of bad guys all alone. The impossible becomes implausible and difficult to believe or enjoy. The Aussies are starting to impress me and John Doe is an excellent film. I admit, I love guy movies, crime movies, action and revenge movies and this has it all. Gritty violence that seems very justified, excellent acting from ALL players---even the bit parts, great directing, great camera work and most important----well written. And some mind-blowing surprises and plot twists to wrap it up and it is what I call a perfect movie. Well paced, never slows down---it kept me transfixed throughout. The kind of movie that must be watched again and I call it a perfect ten.
AD
