Righteous Kill Review

Overall 3.67 of 5 view all 3 reviews

PERRYEASTEP
willowsbee, OH

Star power ALONE saves what could have been....and I wish it was

a movie buff, a Movie Guru

Pros

Cast

Cons

Poor Editing

SEP

2008

A Righteous Kill is playing in your local theater now. It stars two of the most incredible actors of our time. Most reviews have not been so great.

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, Carla Gugino, and Brian Dennehy.

Directed by: Jon Avnet

Written by: Russell Gewirtz

Now, in a time when things are tough all-over, I was really looking forward to this movie lifting me up a bit. It's good, but it should have been better. The story is very good actually, just bad editing, directing, and music selection decisions. In the hands of a more skillful director, this should have been a knockout. Instead, we are (still, very lucky to be treated) treated to two very solid performances in Deniro & Pacino with little else.

This movie is a thriller with a twist. Two cops are on the hunt for a serial killer. The killer leaves poems with the victim's, not to taunt police, but to inform on the motive behind the kill. Was this a person that needed to die? A life worth taking? There are a total of 14 kills. Righteous? Thats for you to decide.

Sorry if this review a vague, or not helpful. I will expand this review when the DVD comes out. I can recommend this film, but to recommend it to a hardcore film lover is a tough call.

Filmmakers have, and owe a certain responsibility to the art when you have this type of talent assembled.

Last edited on Oct 30, 2008

Righteous Kill is recommended by PERRYEASTEP

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Comments about PERRYEASTEP’s Review

Too bad the it was rated the way it was... two old time greats.

In response to PERRYEASTEP's comment from Oct 30, 2008 at 10:11AM:

I don't see a three-star review as one that marks a movie as bad; so-so, maybe, but not bad. Two stars or less, then it's bad.

In response to Fardreamer's comment from Oct 30, 2008 at 12:02AM:

I guess because I gave it 3 stars most people think that this film is not good. :( My overall review/score will come when this baby hits DVD. If your interested, please stay tuned!

Usually, since a movie depends extensively on the directing and editing decisions, if those are not good ones, a decent script and a good cast won't save it. Who directed it, anyway?

I have heard that this film was going to be somewhat of a bomb. I mean I tend to enjoy thrillers/ and ones that have to do with serial killers/true crime but I like smart ones that keep you on edge and are not cliche - I hate cheesy thrillers that are unrealistic. One of my older faves was definitely Copy Cat which I saw in the theater and there have been a slew of other good psychological thrillers over the year. Most of them do not pass my test though haha. I do like Dinero in some films and though I know it is not the popular thing to say, Pacino is not my fave but maybe its cos I have an aversion to most mob films and associate certain actors with 'mob' only roles and its a turn off for me! lol It does suck the film didn't turn out better but I kind of expected it to be lame. Last year I saw Jody Foster's the brave one and the entire time I kept saying to my fiance, is this FOR real? I did have a good laugh over it and for a long time kept repeating this one scene where she says, 'hey you' -you'd know what part if you have seen it. Basically I am easily amused and find a way to laugh when something is very awful! :)

I heard the bad press on this film and that's too bad. DeNiro is 65, Pacino 68. They can't have too many movies left in them. They WERE very entertaining reading the Top Ten List on Letterman a couple weeks ago, though!!

In response to krislynn's comment from Sep 30, 2008 at 8:21PM:

Hi Krislynn, I really think you will enjoy this film on DVD. I enjoyed it, but there are so many things that are left wanting. I'm sure the DVD will have some nice extras too! For that reason, it would be a must buy, and a Righteous bargin!

I agree. Filmmakers DO have and owe a certain responsibility. Especially with those two actors!

I have not seen Righteous Kill, yet! I will probably see the movie when it comes out on DVD. I like Pacino and DeNiro, they are talented actors. Thanks for the review!

In response to Jo's comment from Sep 25, 2008 at 7:06PM:

I'm much pickier than that, Jo. This is the type of flick I'll watch only if it's on non-premium cable, and even then I'm not happy because cable still costs $$.