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35 reviews in total |
*
Flawed, but with the best of intentions...
Author: alex from Australia
15 December 2013I went to see Zulu the other night in Paris having never heard of it, but intrigued enough by the cast and the brief synopsis I read at the cinema. It was just after the death of Mandela so I liked the idea of seeing something set in South Africa. First of all- the film had me for the whole time, the premise was intriguing and both Whitaker and Bloom provide excellent tension throughout. It was well paced and fairly unpredictable. The plot here is relatively thin- they start in true film noir fashion with the murder of a girl and follows with the tried and true tradition of jaded detective partners working the case.
There is not much more to it than that. However, the film is more interested in the political and social world of Cape Town, and does this pretty well whilst maintaining the gripping action. The characters also are well developed, in particular Bloom as the booze soaked apathetic detective who keeps falling deeper and deeper into the seedy underbelly he's investigating (much like a Raymond Chandler character). I have the hon our of being the first to write a review of this, I also noted that there is nothing yet on rotten tomatoes. So as the first cab out of the rank, this is a well played and watchable flick, it is flawed but with the best of intentions... A good way to spend your night!
*
i don't know what film the idiots who review this movie here watched, i can say in all honesty this is one of the best Drama of 2013 and very good production money well spend. i will give 10 stars if not for over acting in some scenes but this is due to script flaws i think. director is not known to me but he can be proud of the job he has done, style of camera use in action scenes reminded me POINT BREAK but way better, gun fights felt of those in western movies and was very tense. character development was the best thing about this movie you felt for every one most of all Orlando Bloom he has done a great job portraying a failed tortured soul as same as Mel Gibson did in first Lethal Weapon.
I am guessing most people did not understand Forest Whitaker, his suffering and the way he acted at the and of the movie i did, this is why i loved the ending character Forest Whitaker played suffered in silence for 40 years then at the end he realised everything he suffered was due to certain evil man and he decided there was only one way to stopped them then he took action to do so with no remorse. i will recommend this movie to any one over 18 due to very disturbing scenes.
*
This is a very good movie. There, I said it. Let me say it again: this is a very good movie.If I can identify one weak point, then I will point to the script that at times introduces some plot elements that rapidly fill in the blanks to advance the story. However, the script more than makes up for that minor problem by revealing complexity to the Whitaker and Bloom characters in a subtle way that makes us truly care about the two cops they portray.
Whitaker is very good, establishing a character then staying true to what he presents initially. If you like watching the mature Forest Whitaker do his thing then you will enjoy this movie.However, to me this is Orlando Bloom's movie to carry, and he scores big time. If you are one of those that enjoys Orlando then this is a movie for you. All of that time he has spent adding to his bank account with fluffy roles has also brought him to this point where he can truly pull off a major role with skill.
Zulu is set in modern day South Africa and the portrait of that nation isn't pretty at all. Further, it is pretty easy to see that the social problems the film deals with are not only current but real and accurate. Zulu isn't just a who-done-it, but a powerful indictment of the causes of the subject crime embedded deep in 20th century history.Like all good cop movies there is some redemption at the end so fear not in the middle, if you find yourself a little depressed. Stick it out and you will feel a little redemption yourself, maybe a little hope.
I see that the budget was $20 million and I think the producers got a great deal of worth for their investment. Problematic I guess is distribution of a cop film set in South Africa with some pretty harsh elements, at least to American audiences. Fortunately, for a few bucks in the near future you can watch it online.Go see it if it at all sounds like your cup of tea, I promise you that you will enjoy it.Was the above review useful to you?
*
Worth the watch I was glued to the screen
The name of this movie sounded like 100 other movies and the cover looked quite ordinary, the movie was another story altogether amazing. I have seen quite a few movies with Orlando Bloom and Forest Whitaker, but this movie in particular their talent in the lens and superior acting skills really blossomed.
Zulu was very well directed somehow the director kept the story full of action yet dramatic in a real down to earth way. Like this was a true story. Forest Whitaker and Orlando Bloom made quite an impression on me being they have been in a lot of big hits I thought they might remind me of other characters from another movie. "Not So Here"I have not seen a good movie in a while so this was very refreshing a real gem of a movie. I recommend Zulu very highly, enjoy!
*
The story is set in Post-Mandela South Africa, with blacks and whites working side by side as both criminals and cops. The central mystery is the solution of a mysterious drug that hits the shack lined streets of the poor black neighborhoods who have seen little change in their poverty with the onset of the "rainbow nation", plus the mysterious disappearance of young black pre-teen boys. There is only violence as a solution; between criminals, between conflicting police officers and a vicious and extremely equal battle between good and evil.
Orlando Bloom does "edgie" as well as Colin Farrell, and that's saying a lot. He's a callous ladies man who contrasts nicely with Forest Whitakers mysterious sexuality. Bloom's character is a lost soul seeking redemption. Forest Whitaker is almost saintly in his forgiveness of the terrible wrongs done to him in childhood (shown in horrifying flashback). Both characters change, grow, suffer and adapt. There are excellent female roles; Forest Whitakers black mom, Orlando Blooms ex-wife who can't completely give up on him, an ambitious black geek detective who earns her place in a man's world by ingenious computer detective work, and a taunting stripper who captures Forest Whitakers attention.
There are even excellent female supporting roles; a casual witness who uses Orlando Bloom for sex and not the other way around, and one of the nastiest female villains to ever point an assault rifle. Even secondary villains and police are memorable This is not a formula movie, where you know everything that will happen in the first 10 minutes. It's an intelligent action movie that keeps you guessing until the very end. You can watch Zulu several times, and continually catch more and more minute plot twists, amazing scenes depicting the beauty and squalor of South Africa and the importance of walk on characters that contribute to the depth of the movie. It just keeps getting better and better.
*
I really like movies that take place outside of the u.s. I have been lucky enough to have seen all of our fifty states And it pleases me not to be forced to see subway McDonald and shopping malls in every film.Bloom and Whitaker both did a Believable performance.Some of the gun fight scenes could have been better I could see that this film had some cash flow limitations.But i loved the shock and aw so to rap this up i will just say that i truly would recommend this film to people that want to escape and see how people live with technology and no real rules to govern it.And when i feel like it i will watch it again with the right group of friends.Some films need a higher level of understanding to take in what the director is trying to say IT'S ALL ABOUT STORY TELLING.
*
Open your mind to a whole mindset apart from the US and find a dark movie with lost souls trying to find some redemption. Orlando Bloom is quite exceptional playing a lost cop with his captain Forrest Whitaker, another lost soul trying to find his forgiveness for crimes against South African blacks. There is a lose tie in regarding an apartheid program to eliminate or sterilize blacks, a true story if you research it. In the end Orlando Bloom's character finds trying to not use violence is his redemption but is forced into it.
While Forrest Whitaker's character finds his redemption is to use violence to stop a horrendous plot. Frankly Bloom was terrific and as usual Whitaker blew me away as a wonderful actor totally underrated. His acting as a seasoned cop at the end really came through thou who could see Whitaker as a bit of an action guy !!!! I give it nine out of ten as it is hard to watch but you just can't stop. Seymour Phillip Hoffman and Forrest Whitaker, two way underrated actors who deserve more than they have.
*
Author: swf64 from United States
26 August 2014A well crafted and powerful drama that never compromises. There really isn't much more that needs to be said. This is the type of movie Hollywood rarely makes. A movie with well developed characters, telling a gripping story, that leads to a meaningful ending.
This is the type of product that comes from integrity, professionalism, and hard work. There's nothing particularly flashy or preachy. A strong compelling story that moves well and is believable. One that has characters you are invested in. Three homicide officers are tasked with investigating a drug murder. The officers are shown in detail as the investigation quickly evolves and then consumes them.At it's strongest the movie does an amazing job of presenting a believable South Africa. One that is moral, realistic, and hopeful.
*
Wow! Hollywood is expanding and seeking out new environments. This time Orlando Bloom and Forest Whittaker are sent to South Africa - into a dark the sinister Apartheid leftovers.Great acting by both of them. Great photo and great plot. Violent, although probably not violent enough to do the setting justice, and grim. Tough lives and tough country. No country for weak men.Please make more of this kind. Please allow the actors from the Lord of The Ring, and such, to really show what they are capable of - instead of hiding behind special effects.See it!
*
A thriller not easy to forget
Author: abisio from Miami
22 April 2014
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
ZULU is a the kind of European thriller that will stay in your mind for long. It is not an easy thing to digest. There are many violent scenes and it pretty much states that in South Africa; human lives do not have any real value.A young girl is find dead in a beach; a ZULU police captain (Forest Whitaker captivating) and two other cops; a very good Conrad Kemp (doing his best with an underdeveloped character) and an outstanding Orlando Bloom; get to investigate.
Things become more and more complex when synthetic drugs are discovered and old apartheid functionaries involved. To make matters worse; every character have its own inferno.A strong movie like this; suffers when some situations are too easily resolved; but even with minor errors the movie is capable of holding interest until very end.In brief; it is not a movie for kids but young adults should see it as well as adults.
