'One of the many ways in which the Western has become old-fashioned is that the characters have values, and act on them. Modern action movies like "The Outsider" have replaced values with team loyalty; the characters do what they do because they want to win and they want the other side to lose. Underlying most modern action movies is Vince Lombardi's dictum: "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing." Underlying most classic Westerns is the Biblical text: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?"' --- film critic Roger Ebert, reviewing the Western "Open Range" (2003)
Obviously, then, your response to "The Outsider" will very much depend on which camp you're in. Are you with the Westerns, or the action movies? The action movie fans will love this film; the Western crowd, not so much. As it happens, I'm with the latter. So. . . .
The big problem here is the blank at the center: Nick (Jared Leto) is so undeveloped as a character, I never did figure out what makes him tick. On the outside, he's an accomplished assassin, but how about his soul? What is he like on the inside? What are his values? Why does he do what he does? Not a clue. I finally pulled the plug on him when, without any explanation or justification, he commits one brutal murder too many.....
The good news, though, is that it's not Jared Leto's fault. Leto actually turns in a splendid performance. But you have to pay attention. As in silent films, it's all in the eyes,.
The other actors also do a good job, especially considering that their parts are just as underwritten as Nick's. Again, it's never explained what he sees in them or they see in him. As for the plot, don't expect any surprises, it rolls on by the numbers; you can play spot the Judas after the first five minutes.
Very deliberate pacing: not so slow as to quench my interest entirely, but, then again, it never picked up enough to engage me fully.
On the plus side, gritty industrial locations work well with the ice-cold cinematography. "The Outsider" also has plenty of blood, all of it most graphically shed.
Too bad it has no heart.
Obviously, then, your response to "The Outsider" will very much depend on which camp you're in. Are you with the Westerns, or the action movies? The action movie fans will love this film; the Western crowd, not so much. As it happens, I'm with the latter. So. . . .
The big problem here is the blank at the center: Nick (Jared Leto) is so undeveloped as a character, I never did figure out what makes him tick. On the outside, he's an accomplished assassin, but how about his soul? What is he like on the inside? What are his values? Why does he do what he does? Not a clue. I finally pulled the plug on him when, without any explanation or justification, he commits one brutal murder too many.....
The good news, though, is that it's not Jared Leto's fault. Leto actually turns in a splendid performance. But you have to pay attention. As in silent films, it's all in the eyes,.
The other actors also do a good job, especially considering that their parts are just as underwritten as Nick's. Again, it's never explained what he sees in them or they see in him. As for the plot, don't expect any surprises, it rolls on by the numbers; you can play spot the Judas after the first five minutes.
Very deliberate pacing: not so slow as to quench my interest entirely, but, then again, it never picked up enough to engage me fully.
On the plus side, gritty industrial locations work well with the ice-cold cinematography. "The Outsider" also has plenty of blood, all of it most graphically shed.
Too bad it has no heart.