Phillip Moss
I'm reviewing this based on my opinion of it as a high school kid. That's when I originally saw it and repeated viewings haven't changed my opinion. I have always liked Rutger Hauer and Vincent D'Onofrio. I love just about everything about the movie in its simple butt-stomping game and story. Its a sports movie with Mad Max as the background. I'm surprised that the RT score is so low, but I think most fans of this kind of genre will like it.
Harriet Deltubbo
Don't buy the hype. This Mad Max-esque film is one of the bleakest films I have seen in a long time. All characters are unhappy souls, surviving in a grim world, unable to improve their lot, prone to an almost genetically determined urge to mess things up. They have egos and the big guns aren't used to working with other people or playing by the rules. The cinematography is stark and bare, with only the soundtrack adding some effect. It's an amazing work and everything I had hoped for. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so I can accept them. Verdict: 7/10.
woodygreve
I saw this movie when I was very little...and liked it a LOT. Then I saw it again after many years...and still LOVED it. Now that I'm much older (well, not THAT much) I watched it again ... it gets better with every viewing!I don't know... It's simple and linear, yes, but it's a story well played and well told. I actually LIKE the Game they play, I enjoy the fights and all the Honor-thing that lies behind them.And no...how can someone talk about gore-fest or orgy of violence? I've seen MUCH worse in in movies that the public liked more (for apparently no good reason...they were utter crap!).This movie is very nice, and I really can't understand why it is so underrated and (reading some reviews) almost hated o_O' Watching this movie may not be an enlightening experience in your life, but it will quite an enjoyable and entertaining one!
wj-1
It was a while ago when I first saw this movie and watched it again recently. People might complain that it doesn't have enough dialogue, plot is not intricate enough, there aren't any special effects for a Sci-fi movie, and it is too low budget to be considered a good movie. But I'll say people who say such things, they don't really know how to appreciate a good movie or understand what a good movie is, because they are too used to modern day rubbish jam packed with special effects, explosions, unnecessary twists and horrible scripts.I think everything is done just right in the movie and I especially love the way they give no sentimentality to the backdrop to the movie. No discussion of the past as to why the world they do jugging is the way it is and everyone in this world just get on with their lives in this gritty desolate world without any lamenting thoughts to the past.I won't go into much detail, but all I'll say is just watch the movie and you'll be glad that you did. By the way, it seems like there are two versions which I didn't realise until I read the comments here and seems like the shorter version cuts out the ending. Since I thought the ending was very fitting I do recommend you watch the longer version, it just won't have the same impact without the proper ending.
AD
