Dragged Across Concrete

Who is on the wrong side of S. Craig Zahler's new film? The whole world, as usual. A slow-burning heist / police story / buddy romance without emotion, Shotgun Safari in slow motion. Emotionally, it is the Coen Brothers meet Lethal Weapon in an alternative reality, where cruelty knows no bounds and fate is hungry for the blood of innocents. Zahler is one of the few filmmakers who can claim the title of original and visionary. The previous Brawl in Cell Block 99 was somewhat more of a compelling, radical, immersive monster, but watching Mel Gibson for two and a half hours in one of his best roles amounts to great satisfaction. Plus, I value another Sy Ableman feat. Fred Melamed with Jewish gold. (03/26/2019)

A procedural analysis of a (non-)police crackdown with a long exposition and an unpredictable climax. A dark, cruel alternative to the beloved mainstream Lethal Weapon, in which Lieutenant Martin Riggs finally turns his back on the system and political correctness and, in Dirty Harry style, aims at the hell of an upgraded version of The Big Lebowski’s nihilistic SOBs. Given the length of the movie, not that much actually happens in it. I would cut its events into the first two hours and then use the last thirty minutes to let the real hell break loose, because the movie could use some of that – an inferno where the villain Thomas Kretschmann would get more character development. What can you do? Zahler spoiled us with the more elaborate and achingly perfect Brawl in Cell Block 99. In spite of this, Dragged Across Concrete is still a hell of a ride that amuses with its uniqueness and can be pretty chilling. And Zahler adds some welcome finishing touches to his previous masterpiece, like with Jennifer Carpenter’s character, who kisses the legs of her toddler here. P.S.: I would show the bank scene in its entirety. [Sitges FF] (10/10/2018)

S. Craig Zahler one of the most interesting and distinctive directors of recent years. After the western Bone Tomahawk and the brutal prison thriller Brawl in Cell Block 99, he brings us a solid raw crime film starring Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn. Although it’s mostly dialogue and takes place mostly in a car, it almost doesn't matter, because watching two excellent actors critique the social situation in America and hilariously stick it to us is a blast. The highlights are definitely the uncompromising bank robbery and the final shootout, which takes pulls no punches. Uncompromising, violent, surprising and actually unpleasant, that's Zahler. Some may be bothered by the 160-minute running time, but surprisingly the film passes quickly. 80% (03/26/2019)

Two cops are suspended for six weeks. They need money and are angry, so they decide to rob a gang that is planning a big heist, but things go a bit wrong. S. Craig Zahler is still as uncompromising, surprising and unpleasant with his third film. And even though we already know what to expect from his stories, this time he manages to shock and unsettle and is as cruel to his audience as he is to his heroes. Fans of the director will not be disappointed by his new film, because this is exactly what we wanted to see from him. (03/24/2019)

A noir version of Lethal Weapon, a film with a complex script and many characters, yet intelligible, dark, cynical and cruel. From a director who is not afraid to go beyond the edge of standards and in a sense does absolutely what he wants, creating a new subgenre – a dark alternative to Tarantino's films, where the dialogue passages are also often ridiculously over the top. A film from a different era with distinctive qualities, yet perhaps too long. (04/13/2019)