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As thoroughly researched as any documentary in recent memory.

A sizzling Brazilian real-life documentary by director Jose Padilha that outdoes reality TV in its dosage of reality.

Full of the kind of surprises, twists and cruel irony that have fueled many a Hollywood thriller.

Examines how this tragic saga stemmed from the deep fissures in Brazilian society, which pit a vast population of slum-dwelling street kids against the police and society at large.

This smart, absorbing movie, which has been sharply edited by Felipe Lacerda, never feels like it's spreading itself too thin.

It's a chilling tale that leaves us with the fear that Latin America's exploding social problems may well be beyond solution.

An extraordinary portrait of a life lived always in the shadow of despair.

There's no denying the subject matter is compelling, and the heightened sense of tension goes a long way toward redeeming the film.

A searing and fascinating example of a 'ripped from the headlines' story expanded to uncover some uncomfortable truths about how a nation handles its social problems.