Customer Reviews

Crimson Rivers - Angels of the Apocalypse (Special Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I saw this while visiting family in Poland, so it was all ready translated into my language and I could concentrate on the movie instead of reading subtitles.

This movie had murky, creepy and dark foes that were insanely fast and unstoppable. It starts off with a bang and it takes you on a search for the Holy Grail type of a ride with evil superhuman monks, dead bodies, catacombs and monasteries with deep dark secrets.

I sat down and didn't stop paying attention till it was over. Jean Reno is great; you just have to enjoy his presence because he does what he knows well. Also there was a scene where his fellow officer Reda who runs amok chasing this monk and they are running on roofs, trains, jumping off buildings, for like 3 minutes. No strings and computer magic just run out of breath chase. It was amazing; my favorite part of the movie and it really imbedded itself into my head.

Great flick, it has action, suspense, blood and gore, secrets and history; a sweet way to spend an afternoon.

(Be sure & read my entire opinion before deciding how much YOU will like 'Crimson' -- after all, I do give it 4 stars. The dialogue is way more important than in most films of this genre.)

I remember Jean Reno from "the Professional" which I really liked, otherwise the description of Crimson was not enough to convince me to watch. I am GLAD I did watch! It's a very enjoyable film. The description on the cover and on most reviews I've seen left me thinking this was just another in a long long list of tales in this genre. And it is that -- then again it's much more than that. AND, there are more than enough SURPISES to keep even a cynic like me interested. I watched it again right away -- had to, really, because...

The movie is far easier to watch if you are fluent in French, which I am not. Like all native English-speaking people, I find that Europeans speak a lot faster than do Americans. In Crimson, the actors speak at a very natural pace in fine French. Because it's subtitled in English, however, that makes it impossible to keep up BECAUSE it's also an ACTION movie so that you need to focus first on the action, yet there's a lot of dialogue that you need to read -- and the dialogue is in no way superfluous. That is to say, the dialogue IS important.

Still, it's a VERY GOOD MOVIE, just be aware that you will frequently be reversing the DVD to pick up on many things BECAUSE there are nuances and a surprise or three tucked in there, which also is a GOOD thing. For example, near the very beginning there's something many viewers will find very 'interesting' -- though different people will assign different things to it -- but you'll be reading subtitles, and only catch a hint of it later deep in the movie, which means at some point you may want to go back (It took me 'til the very end of the movie to realize I thought maybe there was 'something' in that scene and then I went back, but even then I needed the dialogue to 'see' what was happening, and I had to watch that scene about a dozen times to be sure what I was seeing. Then again, YOU might very well 'get' it right away! LOL But I doubt it)

*Much as I enjoy the movie I feel a duty to advise you that the translations used in the subtitles frequently are not even close to the French being spoken in the movie. A very well-scripted film like Crimson gets hobbled a bit by a number of poor translations.

ENJOY the movie, allow some extra time for doubling back to pick up on some very interesting things you didn't quite 'get'.

(The reason I put that note at the top is: I am very detail-oriented, so that the less detail-oriented YOU are, the less you will notice any of the things that I took issue with)

'Crimson Rivers -- Angels of the Apocalypse' ('Les Rivieres Pourpres 2: Les Angels de L'Apocalypse') has little to do with the first one except that the new film has Inspector Niemans played by Jean Reno, the star of the original. Instead of Vincent Cassel, the task of his partner is given to Benoit Magimel, and the script is written by Luc Besson, known for 'The Fifth Element.' Perhaps more interesting are the names of the guest stars, Johnny Hallyday ('The Man on the Train') and, look, legendary Christopher Lee, Count Dracula, or Saruman of 'LOTR.'

The story is the original of Besson, which means nothing original. A dead body of a man is found in the 'Room No 13.' of one secluded monastery, and the way of burial is, as you see, nothing ususal, like a cat in Poe's famous story. While tough detective Niemans investigates the case, mysterious killer(s?) keep on murdering the victims according to their own rituals.

Before a younger cop Reda (Magimel, very good) joins in Niemans's investigation, following the suspect of another strange case, we know where the film is going to lead us. The film's mystery includes, as the title suggests, a biblical theme, and it is not hard to guess the motives of the serial killing. And when Christopher Lee appears as a minister of Germany (he is playing a German), and talks about the days of WW2, now you know Besson is not the most creative writer in the world.

[MAKES ME DIZZY] The film is directed by Olivier Dahan, whose previous works I have not seen yet. But obviously he does not like the time-tested, traditional method of filmmaking, and seems to have refused to use storyboards. In short, the entire film looks like a 100 minute MTV show, French version.

The images of the film are always restless, as if trying to test our patience. The camera often shows slanted picture, and whenever it wants, it starts to rotate without particular meaning. Though unique places (like Maginot Line) are additional merits to the banal story, and the dark, dump, atmosphere of the place is very realistic, these precious moments are scatterd among the pointless and thrill-less script that offers no interest except blood and body count.

Some of the stunts are memorable, the chase scene between Maginel's cop and the high-jumping assassin in particular. Whoever he or she may be, the stunt deserves special mention. But alas, the director meddles with the stuntperson's great job, with cut, cut, cut, and the silly camerawork that, I firmly believe, should be banned in making any action parts in future. And poor editing (which reminded me of the streetcar chase scenes of 'The Rock' which gave me a headache). Sometimes I cried, 'What's going on?'

Reno and Magimel are good, but the acting is not their best, and the same can be said about the legendary actor Lee. And the run-of-the-mill story of Besson, who has written as many as three scripts in 2003 alone, needs a more twisted plot, like that of the original, and what a disappointing ending, which makes no sense whatever. Though there are some fleetingly exciting moments, the flat and incredibly convinient conclusion would exactly tell you why Besson can write so many screenplays.

Jean Reno,
A fine actor. This movie just wasn't worthy of him. The first "Crimson River" was one of the finest filmed movies I have ever seen. The cinematograpy was gorgeous. Angels of the Apocalypse just didn't measure up. Sort of a Davinci Code with "ninja monks"?

A very good movie, Crimson Rivers-Angels of the Apocalypse, sheds light on a series of horrendous murders committed in the province of Lorraine near the French-German border. When a pair of investigators team up to solve the mystery they soon realize that all is not as it seems in this quiet and picturesque part of the French countryside...
There are slight hints of Seven, the Ninth Gate, the Da Vinci Code, and the X-Files, so the movie falls into the action/adventure/mystery/thriller/horror type of category.
Jean Reno, Benoit Magimel, Camille Natta, Christopher Lee, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows allowing for a highly entertaining movie.
The plot, the setting, and the music are all EXCELLENT.
Overall, it is a movie definitely worth watching, as it is one of those films that gets you and keeps you thinking long after it's over! 4½ Stars

The first Crimson Rivers film is pretty entertaining and beautifully filmed; this sequel's plot and the murky production values hobble an otherwise entertaining film.

The story revolves around a series of religiously-themed murders, and a secret cabal of monks. The plot is straight from a Captain America comic book (minus the Red Skull).

If you can get a used copy or rent one, then this film is worth a look.

"Crimson Rivers: The Angels of the Apocalypse," directed by Olivier Dahan, is the 2004 sequel to the 2000 movie Crimson Rivers.

"The Angels of the Apocalypse," as in the first movie, stars French superstar actor Jean Reno as the supercop Niemans, but Vincent Cassel, his sidekick from the first movie is AOL, and is substituted for by Benoit Magimel, as the young cop Rada, who comes to Reno's assistance in finding the gruesome murder of the "12 Apostles."

The movie starts with Niemans investigating a body, nailed to a cross, and found in the wall of a French monastery, As in the first movie, Rada is investigating a seemingly unrelated incident of a customs clerk in a French airport who is also nailed, like Christ, to his office wall by a homicidal monk. The poor victim was abducted while eating a homemade meal out of a plastic container, which, no matter which way you nail it, can't be too good for his stomach.

Then, after returning with two fellow cops from a stake out, Rada's car is run into by some kook, dressed like Jesus Christ, who seemed to be out for a late night jog. Rada admits the maniac to the hospital, and when he returns to visit him the next day, he spots a hooded Monk about to do bad things to the fake Jesus.

The ensuing chase scene is reminiscent of one in the first "Crimson Rivers" movie. In a five minute tension-filled sequence, Rada, obviously in great shape himself, chases the monk over rooftops, through crowded streets, into a warehouse and even on top of a moving train. But the crazed monk has speed of an Olympic sprinter, the strength of a weightlifter and the agility of a monkey. He finally escapes by doing a back-flip off a roof. Rada runs to the edge of the roof, expecting to see a splattered body, but instead sees the monk sprinting the 100-yard dash to safely.

Now here's where the movie goes totally off the tracks.

Rada returns to the hospital and find out that the Jesus nut actually has the same DNA as the real Jesus Christ. So Rada and Niemans join forces, as they did in the first movie, but this time to catch a covey of murderous monks, who bolt about like kangaroos on speed, which in fact, is almost exactly what they are on, to achieve their acrobatic abilities.

The two detectives are joined by a female sleuth Marie (Camille Natta), who has an advanced degree in religious studies. But she is little more than window dressing to a movie that needs all the help it can get.

A gray-bearded Christoper Lee, as a German aristocrat obviously up to no good, adds spice to the performances. Yet even the ominous presence of Lee does little to catapult this flick past the improbable to almost the impossible.

There's a few nice action sequences, but the final scene drags, and when the movie is over, you'll breath a sigh of release and wonder what exactly was it that you just saw anyway.

The film critics basically panned "Crimson Rivers: The Angels of the Apocalypse," and with good reason.

Christopher Null, of filmcritic.com wrote, "There aren't many French movies you can rightly consider as guilty pleasures, except the original 'Crimson Rivers', a baffling, yet highly entertaining thriller that has become a cult favorite. I wish I could say as much about the sequel, which is pretty much nonsense from the first frame. Before the end, the mystery will entwine Nazis, amphetamine addicts, creepy dudes in robes and, uh, the Maginot Line. Nudge me if you get it."

David Nussair of Reel Film reviews was kinder to the movie's crew, but not much, "The movie is punctuated with a number of engrossing, downright thrilling action sequences, and director Olivier Dahan's penchant for over-the-top visuals certainly elevates one's interest on an all-too-periodic basis. In the end, however, the movie relentless baffling modus operandi cements its place as a hopelessly muddled and downright interminable mess."

I highly recommended the original "The Crimson Rivers," giving it a solid 4 stars out of a possible 5. But "Crimson Rivers: The Angels of the Apocalypse," is not in the first movies' class, and even the presence of the indomitable Reno fails to raise the movie past barely enjoyable.

Grudgingly, I give "Crimson Rivers: The Angels of the Apocalypse," a shaky 2 ½ stars, and only because the actions sequences really are awe-inspiring, even though the plot revolving around it, is more jumbled than President Obama's economic policies.

** 2004. Written by Luc Besson and directed by Olivier Dahan. Two policemen try to understand why a group of months are committing ritual murders in the neighborhood of an old monastery. After the excellent first episode The Crimson Rivers directed by Mathieu Kassovitz in 2000, ANGELS OF THE APOCALYPSE is a big letdown. Christopher Lee undoubtedly accepted his role to pay his taxes, the French pop star Johnny Hallyday slurs four words, the whole movie seems illuminated by blue, red and green spotlights and there are some hectic months making a lot of diarrhoeal Chinese jumps in the background. Inadvisable.

In the vein of "Indiana Jones" meets "The Davinci Code" it unfolds along the lines of "Law & Order : SVU" and "Seven" - very creepy - borders somewhat on the supernatural but once you're thrown into the Melange - you're stuck.

Reno is Excellent as Niemans - as is the Beniot Magimel as his side-kick [literally a role requiring physical stamina] and Camille Natta as the Expert on Revelations.

This one's quite a treat in all aspects, especially the minimal yet very effective art direction.

Styalish, creepy and load of dark fun!

I'm not sure why this is tied to "Crimson Rivers" since the only thing in common is there are Nazis. This movie goes in more for action than mystery. It is a decent movie but the separate investgations like in the first movie aren't as mysterious and the other police officer is not as appealing a character or actor as Vincent Cassel was in the first movie. Cassel made a good partner for Reno in the first movie and I would have preferred he had been in this one as well. Cassel did better when he was on his own and he had chemistry when he was with Reno. It would have also given a little more credence to it being a sequel.

A group of religious men hiding from Nazis that work out of a monastery with underground tunnels to Marginot bunkers was not quite as intrigueing as the serial killer at a university in the mountains. Mainly I think because Crimson Rivers was made to be a murder mystery and it did a great job of dropping clues that you could follow. This movie is more like something thrown together and tries very hard for intense action and not enough on the mystery. The story centers on a murder investigation at a monastery leading to further investigations of monks killing people. They find out the monks are actually Nazis looking for a religious artifact. It is still certainly worth seeing, just don't look for it to be anything like a sequel to the first movie. Worth a rental or possibly buying as a set with "Crimson Rivers".