The Bang Bang Club Reviews

I have read that the book was better than the film...that being said, I haven't read this book. So, I am not biased. This biodrama film was rivoting. You couldn't help but get involved with each character, and the risks that they took to document the tragic violence in South Africa. The cinematography was spot on, the acting was really good, and the script was well-written. I enjoyed this....

It was definitely an interesting watch, with some really good cinematography however it just felt a bit sterile. I wasn't keen on many of the characters but I guess that's what happens to people when they live in a war zone. Kitsch did a great job as Carter and by the end, it was so emotional and it really made me think about what goes on in this world. A good watch but nothing I'll see again.

Based on actual events, this is the story of four photographers who, during the last years of Apartheid, put themselves in harm's way to capture the events of the tumultuous struggles going on across South Africa.

Overall, this is a decent film, but it doesn't quite live up to its potential to be great. The film is rather unbalanced in that it focuses far more on two of the guys instead of giving all four of them equal amounts of development, and also that it seems to run of out steam part way through, which is a shame because it starts off pretty decently. It doesn't totally fall apart by the end, but it definitely feels like thigns are running on fumes. Also, even though I don't always mind adding in material for dramatic purposes, it wasn't necessary here as there's already pelnty of drama in the real story.

A better job of establishing the context and background for the events would have been nice as well, but I had some idea of that sort of stuff, though I had no knowledge of these four men prior to seeing this film. Still though, the film is shot decently, and there's some godo performances here, especially from Ryan Phillippe and Taylor Kitsch.

All in all, a well meaning film about an important subject that is passabel enough, yet not quite worthy of getting a full on recommendation.

The Bang Bang Club starts off with a bang. The story is very good, but somehow halfway through the middle, the film looses its spark that got this firecracker of a film started in the first place. The film is nonetheless good, with plenty of good performances from its cast. However by the time the credits role, you feel that considering such an engaging and thrilling story, you'd expect something astounding by the films conclusion. I thought the film exposed some important issues, but there was always something missing. This is still a well made film with a good, real story and plenty of good performances. The film does lack certain things to truly make it a memorable film. There are plenty memorable scenes, but as a whole the film has the potential of being something truly great, but it somehow manages to struggle with its own material. Considering its subject, The Bang Bang Club could have been an incredible film, but somewhere near the films conclusion, the story becomes overly dramatic and it kind of cheapens the look of the film a bit. Despite this, The Bang Bang Club is still an interesting film to watch and one that's very good, despite the fact that halfway through the middle it struggles in being a better film. Than it is. If the filmmakers would've kept the film as it was, and not include any unnecessary dramatic bits to make this film more appealing to a broader audience. The films biggest flaw is that by the films end, is that by the end, the film relies on overacted drama that almost mocks the true story. Still a good film to watch, but nothing that great.

"The Bang Bang Club" starts with a radio interview in 1994, giving photojournalist Kevin Carter(Taylor Kitsch) a chance to think back a few years to when colleague Greg Marinovich(Ryan Phillippe) first made his presence known, at the scene of a violent clash near a township in Soweto, South Africa. Greg ends up going the extra mile by venturing to a nearby hostel which a local boy has informed is 'a shortcut to heaven.' Those words almost prove phophetic for a minute when he is pursued until he impresses the town's leader with his words that he wants to get their story, too. And then almost wishes he had not when he gets to witness a man being cut down in the street in front of him. Suitably impressed with his photographs and bravado, The Star photo editor Robin Comley(Malin Akerman) brings him onboard as a freelancer, before he asks her out for dinner.

Based on a true story, "The Bang Bang Club" is an absorbing look at war photographers and the dangers they face. Complicating matters is when they become the news themselves. What the movie is interested in more than anything else, is the haunting photographs they produce. While the movie has a neat way with building a scene from peace to conflict to violence, it can also be patient enough to just leave the camera on a distraught father. So as you can see the story is more downbeat than one would expect, set during the dying days of Apartheid which the movie provides a couple of new angles on. On the other hand, I do not think we are seeing the full force of South African government censorship of the time, even as it is implied that the authorities approved of stories of black on black violence to advance its agenda, leaving non-approved photos to be sold overseas where, as Robin puts it, is where the real money is.

Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch, and Malin Akerman's performances are the best reasons to watch this film. They all shine. The film kind of reminded me of movies like Blood Diamond, The Hunting Party, The Last King of Scottland, and Harrison Flowers. One major negative was that the pacing was off. Still worth checking out for the performances.

Not bad. Not bad at all particularly because we have a pair of international stars Ryan Phillippe and Malin Akerman and we're dumping them into the middle of a very South African film requiring them to take on the accents and habits of the natives. They perform in the end and it results in a good if not great film.

Consider The Bang Bang Club a war film where the main characters aren't soldiers but photographers of war. Built around the relationship between the staff at a foreign newspaper and the high-risk environment surrounding them, Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch, and Malin Akerman steal the show, adding some relevance to an otherwise unnoticed film.

This movie leaves with me with mixed feelings. The actors played these characters very well and the story was intense, but it wasn't an easy movie to watch.

Starring Ryan Phillippe as Greg Marinovich, Taylor Kitsch as Kevin Carter, (who are the ONLY reasons I wanted to see the movie I am a loyal fan can't help it) & Malin Akerman Based on the true story of 4 combat photographers in South Africa during the times (last days) of apartheid while Risking Life & Limb to get the picture and the truth out to the world of the violence of the times. Somewhat also fighting to get their pictures seen tho' sometimes they're too graphic & controversial to put in the paper (Hello Controversy sells!& who are you to say something is to 'graphic' for the city, country or world to see?) When Greg's photo isn't used in the Sun.. other papers got ahold of it (I think the guys sent it in) and gets seen around the world & gets a Pulitzer! Later on Kevin see's a young child feet away from a Vulture and that then becomes the Pulitzer. The movie is interesting tho' at the same time mostly them just traveling around taking pictures with a bit more story in between. However parts might mae you emotional if you are deeply sympathetic toward people C-

Friday, March 22, 2013

(2010) The Bang Bang Club
DOCU-DRAMA

What Tom Cruise is to "Top Gun" is what Ryan Phillipe is to "The Bang Bang Club" - with the only thing going for it is that this one is supposedly based on fact.
The dramatization of young white yuppie- looking photographers taking pictures during one of Africa's worst when Mandela became President causing many heated civil war clashes- some more shocking than others. The term "the bang bang club" is just a figure of speech focusing a small group of 4 photographers which also includes besides Phillipe, Taylor Kitsch as Carter, Frank Rautenbach as Ken and Neels VanJaarsveld as Joao Silva. Based on the book written by Greg Marinovich and João Silva with Ryan Phillipe as Greg, co-adapted the screenplay and directed by Steven Silver this film is filled with many silly one liners as well as unrealistic interaction moments that can make anyone cringe. Phillipe is not a credible actor in this nor much of film's situations meaning that it doesn't seem 'real' but rather pretentious.

There's only two "almost" authentic scenes throughout which also includes the end showcasing the real so-called 'the bang bang club' including actual photographs which it could've been intriguing- but overall a meh. Watch 1985 "Salvador" starring James Woods or 1983 "Under Fire" starring Gene Hackman instead.

2 out of 4 stars for the effort

I apparently liked it much better than most critics, but what else is new? It's a good movie, but it's not exactly a film meant to be enjoyed. It's very graphic,violent, and matter of fact, letting the audience draw their own conclusions about the moral implications of the actions they witnessed. I prefer movies like that.

I really liked this movie and thought that Taylor Kitsch did an excellent job. Although some have criticized it for not delving into the South African situation to be fair this film was about the photographers. Having said that it certainly conveyed the horror of Apartheid.

Having read the book I was looking forward to seeing this film even if it was with a low expectation. What I got was a very confused and mixed up movie that almost totally misses the point. It does not focus on any of the lives of the 4 which is a very important part of the story. All mixed up with shockingly bad accents it does not make for good viewing.

What should have been an emotionally-charged true story ended up being emotionless. Many films have handled this subject much better.

Gripping and true to life

"The Bang Bang Club" starts with a radio interview in 1994, giving photojournalist Kevin Carter(Taylor Kitsch) a chance to think back a few years to when colleague Greg Marinovich(Ryan Phillippe) first made his presence known, at the scene of a violent clash near a township in Soweto, South Africa. Greg ends up going the extra mile by venturing to a nearby hostel which a local boy has informed is 'a shortcut to heaven.' Those words almost prove phophetic for a minute when he is pursued until he impresses the town's leader with his words that he wants to get their story, too. And then almost wishes he had not when he gets to witness a man being cut down in the street in front of him. Suitably impressed with his photographs and bravado, The Star photo editor Robin Comley(Malin Akerman) brings him onboard as a freelancer, before he asks her out for dinner.

Based on a true story, "The Bang Bang Club" is an absorbing look at war photographers and the dangers they face. Complicating matters is when they become the news themselves. What the movie is interested in more than anything else, is the haunting photographs they produce. While the movie has a neat way with building a scene from peace to conflict to violence, it can also be patient enough to just leave the camera on a distraught father. So as you can see the story is more downbeat than one would expect, set during the dying days of Apartheid which the movie provides a couple of new angles on. On the other hand, I do not think we are seeing the full force of South African government censorship of the time, even as it is implied that the authorities approved of stories of black on black violence to advance its agenda, leaving non-approved photos to be sold overseas where, as Robin puts it, is where the real money is.

a great movie to see..

Unfortunately despite strong acting from the four leads, the sanitization of the events prevents this film from having the same visceral impact the photos had.

at the end.. i was like.. so what? it's subject lacked focus