Natural Born Killers (1994)
Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield, Arliss Howard, Edie McClurg, Kirk Baltz, Balthazar Getty.
Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" is one of the hardest films to sit through and review. It definitely makes a case for one of the most talked-about, hyped up, and controversial films of the 1990's. It is a masterpiece of film-making, but I would not necessarily call the film a favorite of mine.
The story is about two mass murderers who go on a killing spree across America. It started as a murder out of rage from their pasts, but they are influenced to kill again from the media's coverage for them, and their fame across the nation, and even the world. After killing dozens of people, they are finally caught by Officer Scagnetti (brother of a character mentioned in "Reservoir Dogs"). In prison, Reporter Wayne Gale offers Mickey to express his feelings on TV and what made and makes him a murderer.
Now, the storyline may not sound very interesting, but you have to see it to believe it. When I first saw the film (I saw the Director's Cut first), I didn't like it at all, and thought that the overuse of style and violence totally killed the film. But after watching the theatrical version months after seeing the Special edition, I have different thoughts on the film.
One of the main reasons that this film was controversial was because of the violence. In the theatrical version, I had no objection to the use of it. Knowing that I was purposely viewed it and saw the media's coverage of the killers in a sick way, I didn't take it as seriously. In the Director's Cut, there was an overkill of violence that didn't make me find much else.
Another reason could be what goes on inside the killer's minds (The demon). When I first saw it, I thought "What is this???" to myself. I found it very messed up, bizarre, and the weakest and most horrible part of the movie. But now I understand what everything means. This isn't a motive for serial killers, but what went on inside the minds had to do with the mood that they were in. And that didn't only happen with the killers, but other characters in the film that do crazy things.
"Natural Born Killers" is a scary film. But it isn't scary because of just Mickey and Mallory's actions, but how everyone reacts to them. The rest of the world encourages them to keep on what they are doing. One random teenager being asked about them says "Not that I believe in all these killing, but if I were a mass murderer, I'd be Mickey and Mallory." The film is much scarier where you realize that Mickey and Mallory are not only the crazy ones, but everyone else is too in a somewhat corrupt and twisted society. However, the dark comedy is unexpected, but does good with its presence.
I can't really say that I recommend the Director's Cut of the film, but some might find it better. The extra bit that is added in is mostly more violence that kind of draws the film away from the message. The deleted scenes aren't good at all, in my opinion. However, we do get to see prison inmate Denis Leary much crazier than everyone else, which was somewhat interesting. The alternate ending may be worth a look.
This is arguably Oliver Stone's most daring film. Stone, not new to controversy, gives us probably his most mixed and stylish film to date. "Platoon", "Born on the Fourth of July", and "JFK" being three of my all time favorite films, Stone is one of the best directors of modern cinema.
In the end, "Natural Born Killers" does come off as a powerful and unforgettable experience in movies that I may never see again. It is bizarre, strange, chaotic, and brilliantly made. It isn't for all tastes, and not for the squeamish. See it at your own risk as this film varies different opinions. 4 out of 5 stars.
Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield, Arliss Howard, Edie McClurg, Kirk Baltz, Balthazar Getty.
Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" is one of the hardest films to sit through and review. It definitely makes a case for one of the most talked-about, hyped up, and controversial films of the 1990's. It is a masterpiece of film-making, but I would not necessarily call the film a favorite of mine.
The story is about two mass murderers who go on a killing spree across America. It started as a murder out of rage from their pasts, but they are influenced to kill again from the media's coverage for them, and their fame across the nation, and even the world. After killing dozens of people, they are finally caught by Officer Scagnetti (brother of a character mentioned in "Reservoir Dogs"). In prison, Reporter Wayne Gale offers Mickey to express his feelings on TV and what made and makes him a murderer.
Now, the storyline may not sound very interesting, but you have to see it to believe it. When I first saw the film (I saw the Director's Cut first), I didn't like it at all, and thought that the overuse of style and violence totally killed the film. But after watching the theatrical version months after seeing the Special edition, I have different thoughts on the film.
One of the main reasons that this film was controversial was because of the violence. In the theatrical version, I had no objection to the use of it. Knowing that I was purposely viewed it and saw the media's coverage of the killers in a sick way, I didn't take it as seriously. In the Director's Cut, there was an overkill of violence that didn't make me find much else.
Another reason could be what goes on inside the killer's minds (The demon). When I first saw it, I thought "What is this???" to myself. I found it very messed up, bizarre, and the weakest and most horrible part of the movie. But now I understand what everything means. This isn't a motive for serial killers, but what went on inside the minds had to do with the mood that they were in. And that didn't only happen with the killers, but other characters in the film that do crazy things.
"Natural Born Killers" is a scary film. But it isn't scary because of just Mickey and Mallory's actions, but how everyone reacts to them. The rest of the world encourages them to keep on what they are doing. One random teenager being asked about them says "Not that I believe in all these killing, but if I were a mass murderer, I'd be Mickey and Mallory." The film is much scarier where you realize that Mickey and Mallory are not only the crazy ones, but everyone else is too in a somewhat corrupt and twisted society. However, the dark comedy is unexpected, but does good with its presence.
I can't really say that I recommend the Director's Cut of the film, but some might find it better. The extra bit that is added in is mostly more violence that kind of draws the film away from the message. The deleted scenes aren't good at all, in my opinion. However, we do get to see prison inmate Denis Leary much crazier than everyone else, which was somewhat interesting. The alternate ending may be worth a look.
This is arguably Oliver Stone's most daring film. Stone, not new to controversy, gives us probably his most mixed and stylish film to date. "Platoon", "Born on the Fourth of July", and "JFK" being three of my all time favorite films, Stone is one of the best directors of modern cinema.
In the end, "Natural Born Killers" does come off as a powerful and unforgettable experience in movies that I may never see again. It is bizarre, strange, chaotic, and brilliantly made. It isn't for all tastes, and not for the squeamish. See it at your own risk as this film varies different opinions. 4 out of 5 stars.