I wouldn't normally waste my time reviewing a film that has been reviewed so many times and had everything that can be said about it, said about it. However after reading through many of the reviews here it seems that not one person has mentioned the points I would like to make.
First of all, this film really divides the audience primarily into two camps - those that can stomach the subject matter and those that cannot. Then within each of those camps you have those that thought the acting/script/production etc good and those that didn't. Some mention flaws in some scenes, such as Cage all too easily finding the girl's identity (big deal, in real life he either wouldn't have been able to find her at all - in which case the film would have ended there or it would have taken him months to years - in which case the film would have been a bit too long!) and guns not picked up from the correct side of the bed etc. (again, big deal, one could pick apart pretty much any thriller ever made if one really desires to). However, if one can stomach the subject matter and overlook these minor flaws, then what you have here is a sordid and gripping thriller (particularly the first half), apart from two MAJOR flaws.
Both flaws are actually one and the same, although one happens half way through and one at the very end. I refer to the ridiculous and uneccessary explanations given for i) the motive of the film being requested ("because he can") and ii) the motive of the killer ("because I like it"). First of all, these are such weak and shallow explanations but worse is the contrived and false way that the lines are delivered, almost as if they were added to the script last minute as an afterthought. Much better it would have been if either they were not given at all (leaving the audience to ponder "why?"), or a more indepth, more honest and deeper explanation given.
Aside from this, I think it's a well-made, atmospheric and gripping thriller, however the flaws I mention are extremely detrimental to the overall feel of the film, to the point of belittling itself and thus severely reducing it's impact... a real shame.
First of all, this film really divides the audience primarily into two camps - those that can stomach the subject matter and those that cannot. Then within each of those camps you have those that thought the acting/script/production etc good and those that didn't. Some mention flaws in some scenes, such as Cage all too easily finding the girl's identity (big deal, in real life he either wouldn't have been able to find her at all - in which case the film would have ended there or it would have taken him months to years - in which case the film would have been a bit too long!) and guns not picked up from the correct side of the bed etc. (again, big deal, one could pick apart pretty much any thriller ever made if one really desires to). However, if one can stomach the subject matter and overlook these minor flaws, then what you have here is a sordid and gripping thriller (particularly the first half), apart from two MAJOR flaws.
Both flaws are actually one and the same, although one happens half way through and one at the very end. I refer to the ridiculous and uneccessary explanations given for i) the motive of the film being requested ("because he can") and ii) the motive of the killer ("because I like it"). First of all, these are such weak and shallow explanations but worse is the contrived and false way that the lines are delivered, almost as if they were added to the script last minute as an afterthought. Much better it would have been if either they were not given at all (leaving the audience to ponder "why?"), or a more indepth, more honest and deeper explanation given.
Aside from this, I think it's a well-made, atmospheric and gripping thriller, however the flaws I mention are extremely detrimental to the overall feel of the film, to the point of belittling itself and thus severely reducing it's impact... a real shame.