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Movies / On DVD / Narc
Narc

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Narc (2002)

83%
72%
84%
N/A
N/A
N/A
83 %
Reviews Counted: 148 Fresh: 123  Rotten:25 Average Rating: 7.1/10
 
Consensus: Jason Patric and Ray Liotta are electrifying in this gritty, if a little too familiar, cop drama.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Theatrical Release: Jan 10, 2003 Wide

Box Office: $10,237,964

Synopsis: In homage to such classic films as "The French Connection" and "Serpico," writer/director Joe Carnahan's "Narc" explores the dark underbelly of the drug world with a compelling story about the intense psyche behind those individuals called "narcs," undercover officers who put... In homage to such classic films as "The French Connection" and "Serpico," writer/director Joe Carnahan's "Narc" explores the dark underbelly of the drug world with a compelling story about the intense psyche behind those individuals called "narcs," undercover officers who put themselves on the front lines of the war against drugs. Chipping away at the number of dealers on the streets, these brave men and women leave their loved ones behind each day as they throw themselves into the brutal world of drug abuse for one purpose only…to end it.

"Narc" tells the story of suspended undercover narcotics officer, Nick Tellis (Jason Patric), who is reluctantly drawn back onto the force to find the truth behind the murder of a young police officer killed in the line of duty. He is teamed with Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the slain officer's partner, a rogue cop who will stop at nothing to avenge his friend's death. As Tellis and Oak unravel the case, the dark underbelly of the narcotics world reveals itself in surprising ways that are more twisted than either officer has seen before…and the mystery that slowly reveals itself threatens to destroy them both.

Nominated for the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah and winner of the Special Prize Policier Award at the Cognac Film Festival in France, "Narc" is written and directed by an innovative new voice in filmmaking, Joe Carnahan ("Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane"). The film stars Jason Patric ("Your Friends & Neighbors," "Rush") and Ray Liotta ("Hannibal," "Goodfellas"). An intense adrenaline rush from the first heart-stopping chase scene to the stunning dramatic climax, this taut police thriller also features rap artist Busta Rhymes ("Finding Forester," "Shaft") and Chi McBride ("Undercover Brother"). [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Busta Rhymes, Richard Chevolleau, Chi McBride

Director: Joe Carnahan
Screenwriter: Joe Carnahan
Producer: Ray Liotta
Composer: Cliff Martinez

DVD Info

Release:

Jun 17, 2003

[DVD Details]

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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Ratings Image
N/A

As a director Carnahan definitely has the goods... Unfortunately the script is your basic renegade-cop narrative, with the usual hoo-ha about justice versus the law.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/09/08
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Carnahan shows flair and confidence.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/09/08
Philip French
Observer [UK]
Ratings Image
3/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image
N/A

If Carnahan keeps wrenching this material back an inch or two from cliché, it's only an inch or two.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Ratings Image
N/A

For a picture that's billed as fresh and bracing, this is a pretty formulaic scheme, which Carnahan attempts to jolt into life through jittery direction.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Nation
Ratings Image
B

Narc est un film extrêmement conventionnel dans son histoire, mais brille dans sa réalisation, son atmosphère et son style.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/25/05
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Panorama
Ratings Image
C

Sometimes it seems a director tries to pack in as much harsh footage as an R-rating will allow for its own sake. That itself is a violent act. The audience is the victim.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
5/10

This is a dark, depressing, excessively violent, profusely profane film, not for the squeamish or anyone who likes elevating entertainment.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
Ratings Image
3.5/4

A showcase for two talented actors and [Joe] Carnahan's technical wizardry, Narc is welcome entry in a tired genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/06/04
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
Ratings Image
3/5

It's a triumph of style over substance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/06/03
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly
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4/5

The director is helped in no small part by his leading men.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/31/03
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
Ratings Image
3/4

'Una verdadera recomendación que lamentablemente duró muy poco en pantalla, por lo que no se la pueden perder en video'

Full Review | comment Comment
07/04/03
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Carnahan isn’t breaking new ground, but he has administered an astoundingly visceral shot of adrenaline to the police-procedural genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/26/03
Nick Rogers
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Ratings Image
N/A

A chokehold of a movie, grabbing us but not ultimately engaging us.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/11/03
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

As two of the most unlikeliest of partners, Liotta and Patric manage to be a perfect match. . .

Full Review | comment Comment
06/10/03
Susan Michals
FilmStew.com
Ratings Image
4/5

A câmera nervosa, a fotografia melancólica e as interpretações realistas de Liotta e Patric conferem a Narc uma intensidade que nada deixa a desejar com relação aos clássicos policiais dos anos 70.

comment Comment
06/04/03
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
Ratings Image
4/5

As a whole, Carnahan does neat work with visuals.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/03
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews
Ratings Image
3/5

Ferociously gritty and unsentimentally tough, Joe Carnahan's movie is drenched with a cynicism that permeates the celluloid itself.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/25/03
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Ratings Image
3/4

As Narc,/i> builds in momentum, becoming anything but what we expected, it deserves credit for being one of the few captivating and original cop films of recent memory.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/05/03
Steven Snyder
Zertinet Movies
Ratings Image
3/4

Opening with a chase scene that's real heart-in- your-mouth stuff, the movie barely ever lets up -- it's exciting almost to the point of being exhausting.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/04/03
Glenn Kenny
Premiere Magazine
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Pictures

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News

Smokin' Joe Has Seen a "Sin City 2" Teaser
posted by Scott Weinberg May 03, 2007
And by "Smokin' Joe" I mean Crazy Joe Carnahan, director of action flicks like "Narc" and...


Trailer Bulletin: The Insane "Smokin' Aces"
posted by Scott Weinberg August 18, 2006
Last week I was all set to share the all-new and seriously energetic trailer for Joe Carnahan's "Smokin'...


Andy Garcia Joins Carnahan's "Smokin'" Ensemble
posted by Scott Weinberg October 14, 2005
Variety brings word that Andy Garcia will climb aboard director Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces," am...


Carnahan Starts "Smokin'" for Universal
posted by Scott Weinberg August 12, 2005
"Narc" director Joe Carnahan has been tapped by Universal to helm "Smokin' Aces," from his own...

Around the Network

• Narc at Rotten Tomatoes
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• Narc at AskMen
 
 
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