The Boondock Saints

All things considered, the film fell far short of my expectations. I was expecting more gore, more violence, more action. The film practically works in that vein all the time. The characters don't spare the macho bullshit about exterminating the mafia and how they’re not messing around, and there are all of three such scenes. Likewise, when the bad guys pick up some uber-slasher from the prison to rip him one, the viewer is in for a hell of a shootout. And yet this takes place in such a way that the three characters are unable to properly shoot the opponent standing in front of them, who in turn is unable to take them down. In addition, the story is very strange, with a few absolutely incomprehensible interjections (Dafoe like fuck) and so on. Fortunately, the first half contains quite a few good lines, and Willie is really pouring it on. Otherwise, wasted potential. (22/04/2010)

The story may limp along, you can easily mix up the supporting characters if you don't pay close enough attention, and I still haven't deciphered the final message years later (Satire? A warning? Both?), but I don't mind. The symphony of blood, action, and slow-motion shots contains almost everything a genre fan could wish for and pleasantly engages the viewer throughout. When I add Willem Dafoe's eccentric exhibitionism, any negative aspects are much harder to find. (20/06/2008)

Well, I was flabbergasted. This isn't just any ordinary crime/thriller, this is a proper gritty film about two brothers who decide to take justice into their own hands as two saints who are chosen to rid the world of filth. There's also the great Willem Dafoe, who is breathtaking as the policeman. A big surprise! (04/09/2017)

Excellent stuff. A film full of blood, violence, shooting, killing, wisecracks, praying and great acting performances... What more could you ask for in an action film? Willem Dafoe gives such a brilliant performance that I would have given him four Oscars in a heartbeat, I really loved him here and I loved him literally!! One big ride. 100% (07/02/2015)

Two self-proclaimed angels of justice are crushed through the grinder of bland "post-Tarantino" dialogue, and it’s not helped by any attempt at a vigorous narrative style. Duffy sets up the whole situation very casually, without emphasis on the absurdity of the plot (one cat can't save it) and the comic hyperbole it draws from. The main duo is accurate, and so is Dafoe’s detective, but they all flounder in a situation that begins and ends with the opening sermon in the church. (23/02/2010)