Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Beautiful Examination of Humanity at it's Worst
Unknown - wrote on 09/13/2015
A deeply effective drama depicting one of the most bleak post-apocalypse settings I've seen in any film. The story is focused on the long trek of a father and son through the starkly grey atmosphere of a ravaged planet. This dark, depressing journey is upheld by the handful of hope that the father instills in his young son. The strength of their bond propels the pair to explore the nature of good will towards others in this time of desperation. The father is relentlessly selfless and protective towards his boy, never ceasing to teach him as much as possible about humanity before their unknown inevitable departure. Constant danger and lack of food come second to raising his child. Love and care is felt from each of them. The son's optimism for others in these harsh times eventually …
Rating of
3.5/4
The Road (2009) review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 06/28/2012
Though it doesn't have much story or actual direction, it is one of the most authentic, bleak and hopeful films around. Kodi Smit-McPhee is a star waiting to happen and this journey is one hell of a ride. A father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee) are survivors of a post-apocalyptic era. The man's wife (Charlize Theron) makes a decision on her own. The two main characters meet an old man (Robert Duvall). They likewise encounter a thief (Michael Kenneth Williams). There are several queries that were unanswered such as the decision of the wife to leave, how everything happened, no names were mentioned (except for Ely) and the light explanation of their destination. Despite of the aforementioned, the direction, acting (from all artists), score and cinematography were just …
Rating of
3/4
"The Road" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 01/29/2012
In an Earth devastated by nuclear war, a father and son travel to the coast to find respite to the seemingly never-ending horrors they are witness to. For "post apocalyptic science fiction", The Road is a far more character driven, ponderous affair than you would expect. It is essentially a story of survival under the most adverse conditions, as a father tries to hold onto his humanity while trying to protect his son and himself from starvation and the degenerate cannibals the majority of the rest of the human race has become. As a result, the innocence of his son comes to act as his conscience, but all this really comes down to is this: Viggo & son are walking down a road, meet bad guys, Viggo threatens them with gun, son cries "No poppa, no! Don't kill him!" and they run away. Again, …
Rating of
3.5/4
Touching Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece
mitchellyoung - wrote on 09/15/2011
Although no one can probably touch Cormac McCarthy's prose, this film comes close by realizing with gritty terror McCarthy's bleak post-apocalyptic world. The film unfolds simply, as a base story of survival. There is no need for superfluous details, such as backstory (I almost wish they had cut the flashbacks, since they don't add that much to the story) and character names. Still, there are elements of true melancholy sadness. Mortensen's character is an excellent quasi-antihero - a man who is just trying to protect himself and his son, but, in so doing, makes some questionable choices that endanger others. The film has a lot to say, in its own quiet way, about the nature of humanity and what it means to be kind or charitable, even under the worst of circumstances. The final …
Rating of
3.5/4
The Road: Gloom, doom and cannabalism
HL allen - wrote on 02/13/2010
I was sceptical about my first trip to the cinema this year. For, as with many other things, to me first impressions are crucial and this trip would undoubtedly decide my outlook on cinema for the entire year. However, with the help of a friend’s advice I was pleasantly (in an eerie sense of the word) surprised with the incredible yet soul destroying experience that awaited me. As I walked past the seemingly endless queues for James Cameron’s disappointing blockbuster “Avatar,” my eyes fell upon a poster advertising the post apocalyptic thriller “The Road.” Based on the acclaimed novel by Cormac McCarthy, directed by john Hillcoat and Starring several A-list actors such as Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce, The Road by far looked the most promising film showing at …
Rating of
3/4
Brutal but beautiful
2605 - wrote on 01/15/2010
The Road is a faithful adaption of Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece, and successfully translates his story of a dying world and the father and son trying to survive in it. Viggo Mortensen plays 'The Man', and is perfectly cast as someone willing to do anything to protect his son. He also looks like someone who has endured ten years of life after the end of the world, with a full beard, gaunt face and haunted eyes. Smit-McPhee is believeable as 'the boy' born after the apocalypse, and the relationship between the father and son is believable and affecting. The boy gives the man a reason to live, and also acts as his conscience.
The film is extremely bleak, with the ravaged landscapes painted in grey, only lightened by fires on the horizon or lightening flashing through the sky above. As …
