Those Who Wish Me Dead Review Movie
Those Who Wish Me Dead Review
Taylor Sheridan has been one of the most reliable authors of thrillers for a while and is currently putting out some of the best thrillers like Sicario and its sequel as well as Hell Or High Water. These are muscular, lean thrillers that could have been adapted the 70s, and populated with a slickly drawn cast of characters and action scenes that speak more than words.
The superb Wind River saw him transfer his particular set of abilities to the director's seat, and to show that it's not a fluke, here is Those Who Wish Me Dead (or "Fire Forest" in case you'd like to follow the formula established by that previous film) This is a classic human grappler vs. the elements that's laced with a bloody story about hitmen looking for blood. It can be quite tense at times It's the type of film best enjoyed on a large screen in a crowd (full of disclosure that Empire was watching the movie with a smaller screen). In this regard it's timed to the perfect timing.
There is also evidence as well as the forthcoming Nobody and Freaky, that studios (Warner Bros. in this case) are still producing mid-budget thrillers. We should hope that they perform so well commercially so that this will continue to be the case.
The economically-sketched characters, then. It's Angelina Jolie, keeping her return to the screen cooking beautifully, as Hannah as a fire marshal who is haunted by A Traumatic Past as well as Occasional Flashbacks and who is set to spend a few months on an iron high pole within Montana. Montana wilderness (and it's true that this means she's Hannah Montana). Jon Bernthal as the local police officer, who is a survivalist concerned about his wife's pregnancy (Medina Senghore). Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen as hitmen siblingswho relentlessly pursue their targets. Also, Finn Little as that prey A confused, 12-year-old child, trying to save his life for reasons he's not sure about.
A old-school human vs. the elements gripper, mingled with a brutal story of hitmen seeking blood.
Sheridan is meticulous in arranging his pieces prior to pressing the button labeled "sweaty chaos". He particularly cranks up the intensity in keeping viewers inches ahead of the hero. We're aware, by moment the brothers Blackwell arrive in Montana that they're skilled, organised and deadly and aren't afraid of shooting the person, regardless of how high they're being portrayed. Therefore, when he puts them in close contact with characters who you've already become a part of The screws are tightened.
However, with his major characters being separated initially by the immenseness of the Montana landscape and the abysmal consequence of marginalizing the great Jolie who is left in her own world for the majority of the opening half of the film. In actual fact, so distant her from the initial plot that some of the action beats such as Hannah running around in a flurry to dodge lightning bolts, for instance — appear like they've been tacked on for her to provide her with something to accomplish.
It's not necessary in the end, it turns out because when the six characters finally come together with the massive forest fire Sheridan has plenty of work to do, while establishing her in a surprisingly unassuming partnership along with Little as well as reminding us of her action-hero reputation is still in good shape. In the second half that Sheridan increases the tensionand provides an enjoyable emotional kick with some surprising developments that keep his characters on the defensive. In the final ten minutes does the story begin to follow the usual lines (though those who love the Michael Koryta book upon which the story is based may be off in a few instances) however, this strengthens his standing as the master of contemporary thriller. I can't wait to read 'Water Mountain'.
