Rampart (2012)

All Critics (140) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (102) | Rotten (35) | DVD (3)

Where's it all go? Nowhere, really, just down a dirty, disappointing hole. Harrelson deserved better.

March 9, 2012 Full Review | Comments (4)

Tom Long

Detroit News

Top Critic

It's a remarkably compelling film.

March 1, 2012 Full Review

Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

Top Critic

Brown is a sick man, but Harrelson makes him so interesting, so charismatic, so ... watchable, that you can't look away, even if his actions make you want to (and they will).

March 1, 2012 Full Review | Comment (1)

Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

Top Critic

"Rampart" doesn't tell a coherent story as much as swirl the drain with Dave, as his increasingly desperate efforts to save himself simply result in a cascade of self-inflicted wounds.

February 23, 2012 Full Review

Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Top Critic

This isn't your average out-of-control character, and Harrelson has to work against a narrowly defined screenplay that is short on specifics.

February 23, 2012 Full Review

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Top Critic

Sure to provoke furious reactions in those unwilling to succumb to its mood of reckless abandon. But for those who can, this feverish slice of LA noir is set to be one of the purest cinematic pleasures of 2012.

February 21, 2012 Full Review

Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Top Critic

Rampart doesn't end up having as much emotional punch to it as The Messenger did, mainly because it feels as though the idea was not thought out to completion.

January 23, 2013 Full Review

Jeff Beck

We Got This Covered

What keeps the movie engaging for as long as it was is the amazing performance by two-time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson.

September 16, 2012 Full Review | Comment (1)

Jeff Beck

Examiner.com

IN case you needed it, this unsettling cop drama is further proof that Woody Harrelson is one of the most underrated actors going round.

September 14, 2012 Full Review

Matt Neal

The Standard

You get the impression that the film is as conflicted as its protagonist: trying to be both an arty character study and a dynamic drama at the same time but unable to excel at either.

September 13, 2012 Full Review

Matt Looker

TheShiznit.co.uk

A film saddled with a melodramatic script that would serve better as a TV pilot.

September 4, 2012 Full Review

Erick Weber

NECN

No thrills, no secret plots, and no obvious politics, "Rampart" is a powerful and moving look into an empty person.

August 25, 2012 Full Review

Witney Seibold

CraveOnline

This movie feels too undecided. The movie is so intent on not being "Training Day" that it just isn't "Training Day" enough.

August 5, 2012 Full Review

Roger Moore

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Woody Harrelson is mesmerising as the anti-hero of gripping crime drama Rampart, but his pill-popping, booze-swigging, suspect-beating dirty cop, is so irredeemably unsympathetic that you almost wish he weren't so compelling to watch.

July 17, 2012 Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

Loaded with poorly executed cop movie clichés

June 30, 2012 Full Review

Tom Clift

Moviedex

Rampart asks a lot of its audience, and offers very little in return. Only Harrelson makes the ordeal worthwhile.

June 6, 2012 Full Review

Simon Miraudo

Quickflix

Ultimately Rampart is Harrelson's showcase, and he takes full advantage of fleshing out a complex role.

June 3, 2012 Full Review

Mark Pfeiffer

Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

When Steve Buscemi is playing a district attorney, you know you're in a moral quagmire.

May 16, 2012 Full Review

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Rampart is a hypnotic, subjective, immersive experience into the deepest depths of a character that you love to hate. It's powerfully ambiguous filmmaking; and you need to see it.

April 26, 2012 Full Review

Blake Howard

2UE That Movie Show

The incendiary dialogue -- as much a performer's showcase as is a jazz instrumentalist's solo -- is signature Ellroy.

April 9, 2012 Full Review

John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

A nightmarish, hallucinatory film, bathed in raw neon colors and with style to spare, and with a blistering central performance by Woody Harrleson.

March 29, 2012 Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Another bad cop on the road to ruin

March 22, 2012 Full Review

Robert Denerstein

Movie Habit

Harrelson is riveting as a man without redeeming qualities or hope of redemption being driven to madness by personal demons.

March 16, 2012 Full Review

Duane Dudek

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Harrelson scorches the earth.

March 12, 2012 Full Review

Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

Rampart is more of a character study than any sort of crime procedural, and it's all the better for it.

March 9, 2012 Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The performances are uniformly excellent and the film looks great, thanks in no small part to the cinematography of Bobby Bukowski...

March 9, 2012 Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

Playback:stl

• 1. Catherine: David Douglas Brown, you are nothing but a misanthrope.
  – Submitted by Anthony C (7 months ago)
• 1. Dave Brown: Your bun boy honked a Vice Cop at the Pink Parrot last night. He's got a Parole Hold so no bail. Lorazepam and Phenobarb and it all goes away.
  – Submitted by Michael D (8 months ago)
• 1. Dave Brown: Up this time. [talking to pharmacist] And something to make it hard. [goofy smile]
  – Submitted by Michael D (8 months ago)
• 1. Dave Brown: But while you're playing gum shoe, bear in mind that I am not a racist. Fact is, I have all people equally. And if it helps, I've slept with some of your people. you want to be mad at someone, try Edgar J. Hoover. He was a racist. Or the Founding Fathers, all slave owners. Me, I'm just doing my job.
  – Submitted by Dennis L (13 months ago)
• 1. Dave Brown: You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen... in this bar.
  – Submitted by Chris P (16 months ago)
• 1. Dave Brown: The fact is, I hate all people... equally.
  – Submitted by Chris P (16 months ago)

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